In many countries, two types of compassion training are being offered: Mindfulness-based Compassionate Living (MBCL) and Mindful Self Compassion (MSC). Both programmes consist of eight sessions and an extra session in silence and intend to cultivate compassion. MSC has been developed by Kristin Neff, who is a pioneering researcher of self-compassion, and clinical psychologist Christopher Germer, who is an expert in the field of meditation and psychotherapy. One of our compassion trainers, Ali Lambie, has created a very useful YouTube video that explains in detail the principles behind MSC and how it works. We highly recommend that you watch the video, since will answer many questions that you might have. MBCL has been developed from the close cooperation of two pioneering mindfulness teachers in the Netherlands (psychiatrist and psychotherapist Erik van den Brink and meditation teacher Frits Koster) based on their extensive experience in working with MBSR and MBCT in mental health care. In their programme, they have integrated elements derived from the developers of MSC as well as Gilbert’s Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), building on an evolutionary model of the human mind. MBCL is recognised as a follow-on course following foundational mindfulness-based programmes (MBSR, MBCT or equivalent) by BAMBA and VMBN (the Netherlands based mindfulness teaching network). You can listen to Frits Koster talking about MBCL in this podcast from Present Moment:
What they have in common: How they differ:
Both trainings highlight the value of mindfulness practice. MSC states that familiarity with the practice of mindfulness is recommended, whereas MBCL considers it as a requirement. Developers of both programmes emphasise that personality, style and embodiment of the teacher are often more important than the curriculum offered. Both training programmes are, like other compassion training programmes, valuable in their own right and it is most important that people explore for themselves what suits their needs best.
Although there is still much to learn, there has been an explosion of research into self-compassion and compassion over the past decade. Promising results have indicated: a link to well-being, with reductions in negative mind-states and increases in positive mind-states; easier management of difficulties including chronic health conditions; and increases in coping, resilience and motivation (for more information see Kristin Neff’s website http://self-compassion.org). Increasingly, understandings from neuroscience about the way the brain works are supporting the best methods for and the benefits of compassion training.
Full details of each event can be found in the event description when booking via our CALENDAR and, unless otherwise stated, the event will be delivered in English. Due to Covid-19 the Mindfulness Network now offers compassion events online. Our experience is that our events and trainings are effective online – and although there is some loss in not being together in person, it is wonderful that we can continue in this new context. We host events online via our e-learning platform called the Mindfulness Network Community – a safe space for participants to access resources and connect with the compassion leaders. We will enrol you onto the event and we strongly encourage you to log into your account and familiarise yourself with the environment well in advance of the starting date so that you can begin the compassion event feeling prepared. Sessions will be hosted via Zoom and participants must commit to the entire event. If this is not possible, please contact us to discuss before submitting an application. You can read more about the experience of taking part in an online compassion course in this blog post written by a recent participant. We always recommend that you to read the event description thoroughly before submitting an application and familiarise yourself with our Payment Terms and Conditions. We also invite you to take a look at our policies which include Safeguarding, Complaints and Data Protection procedures.
There are 3 designations of MSC teachers: Teacher in Training The first step toward becoming a Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Teacher is to take a six-day MSC Teacher Training program (TT). The next MSC teacher training in the UK will be hosted by the Sussex Mindfulness Centre and you can find more information at http://sussexmindfulnesscentre.nhs.uk/events/masterclasses/. Prerequisites for attending a MSC Teacher Training are: You do not have to be a clinician to take the MSC Teacher Training. Upon completion of the MSC Teacher Training, participants receive a Certificate of Attendance from the Center for Mindful Self Compassion stating that he or she has attended the TT in its entirety and can start teaching MSC as a Teacher in Training. Trained MSC Teacher The process of becoming a fully trained MSC teacher in conjunction with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion encompasses all of the pre-requisites for attending the MSC Teacher Training (TT), as well as the following additional requirements: Upon completion of these requirements, the teacher trainee can apply for a Certificate of Training from the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. This certificate indicates that he or she has fulfilled the necessary requirements and is now trained to teach or co-teach MSC. The bearer can now advertise him or herself as a Trained Teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion. Trained teachers can be listed on the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion website along with their MSC programs. Certified MSC Teacher In order to apply for Certification, the teacher must have taught at least five eight-week MSC courses. Certification is verification of a teacher’s competence, whereas the designation of Trained MSC teacher simply recognises that a person has completed the requisite training activities. The designation of Certification indicates that the individual has been individually mentored by an expert MSC teacher over at least 14 one-hour sessions, has received specialised advanced training in teaching the program, has taught a significant number of MSC courses and had his or her teaching reviewed by an expert MSC teacher for competence. For the complete version of this pathway see: https://centerformsc.org/teach-msc-2/.
The MBCL programme was initially developed in mental health services and has been well received by clients in this context. It is also a valuable resource for people with less severe challenges for managing the general struggles of life and enhancing enjoyment and flourishing. It follows the form of the MBSR course (eight sessions of 2.5 hours and an extra silent session) and supports the development and training of compassion and mindfulness to enhance mental and physical health. A number of MBCL teachers have now been trained in the UK and you can search here for a teacher and eight-week course near you. Mindfulness teachers and mental health professionals Teachers and trainers in Mindfulness-based Approaches (MBAs) and health care professionals have also found MBCL very helpful both for themselves personally and as a support in their work. MBA teachers have described the positive impact of MBCL on their teaching and on managing their personal process in the teaching role. Insights and skills from MBCL can also be integrated into individual therapeutic work and therapists can decide to explicitly train their clients in compassion practice. An introductory workshop (Foundation Course) of three days has specifically been developed for healthcare professionals and mindfulness teachers as an experiential introduction. A MBCL Teacher Training Programme has specifically been developed for mindfulness teachers and health care professionals who wish to teach the eight-week MBCL course or wish to teach elements to clients. The MBCL TT Programme is offered in the UK as a six-day residential training. As with MBSR/MBCT, personal practice is central to teaching MBCL. MBCL trainings available through the Mindfulness Network include: Foundation level: Attendance at an eight-week MBCT/MBSR or equivalent training (eg. Breathworks, MBRP) is a pre-requisite for attendance of foundation level events. Teacher training: Attendance at an MBCL eight-week course, a MBCL retreat or Foundation weekend is a pre-requisite for teacher training. In addition to attending a foundation level MBCL training, applicants for the Teacher Training Programme must have… EITHER: OR: