Please note: The details below were for a run in early 2020 which moved online when the pandemic arrived. I don’t know when I’ll next be offering the 8-week course in Oberlin or in the Cleveland area, but when I do the details will be very similar to those given below.
People, times, and places
Teacher Martin Thomson-Jones
Weekly sessions
Tuesday evenings, from 6:00–8:30 p.m., on the following dates:
March 17, 24, 31
April 7, 21, 28 (no class on April 14)
May 5, 12
Place: River's Edge, 3430 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, Ohio (map)
Retreat
Saturday, April 25th, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Place: River's Edge, 3430 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, Ohio (map)
What To Expect
(Note: Please see 'Home' for an introductory description of the course.)
Program activities include meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. MSC is a workshop rather than a retreat. The goal is for participants to directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life.
MSC is primarily a compassion training program rather than mindfulness training like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), although mindfulness is the foundation of self-compassion. MSC is also not psychotherapy insofar as the emphasis of MSC is on building emotional resources rather than addressing old wounds. Positive change occurs naturally as we develop the capacity to be with ourselves in a kinder, more compassionate way.
There's a saying in MSC that “love reveals everything unlike itself,” and for this reason difficult emotions may arise when we practice self-compassion. MSC teachers are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment in which this process can unfold, and to making the journey interesting and enjoyable for everyone.
MSC includes 8 weekly sessions of 21⁄2 hours each and a 4-hour retreat. Prior to registering, participants should plan to attend every session and practice mindfulness and self- compassion at least 30 minutes per day throughout the program.
Prerequisites
No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend MSC. The course is compatible with a wide range of religious and spiritual orientations, and with having no religious or spiritual orientation.
To insure safety, participants are asked to provide some background information when they register for the program.
Participants will receive a copy of the workbook for the course at the first session:
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer
This workbook contains instructions for the weekly home practices. I’ll also make weekly reading recommendations from the book, but the reading is completely optional.
You may also want to read one or both of following books before or during the program:
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, by Kristin Neff
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, by Christopher Germer
though again, any reading is optional.
This program fulfills one of the prerequisites for becoming a MSC teacher. For more information on MSC and MSC Teacher Training, please visit https://centerformsc.org.
Cost and registration
Cost
The course fee is $350, for 8 weekly sessions of 21⁄2 hours each and a 4-hour retreat.
The course fee includes a copy of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook.
Enrollment is limited, so it's best to register early to secure a place.
We can offer a limited number of places at a reduced rate. If you’d like to take the course but the cost is an obstacle, please let me know that when filling out the background information form (see below).
Registration
If you're interested in registering for the course, please complete the background information form by clicking the link displayed below. Once I've received your background information, I'll contact you by email about paying the course fee.
Go to the background information form
To contact me with any questions you might have, email me at martinthomsonjones@hey.com, or use the form on the Contact page.