Ending the War Within: Self-Compassion and Loving Presence (KN1M27)

Please only register for one of the two formats: On-Land or Online.

Registration closes at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on March 6, 2027. A waiting list will be created if the program fills early. A recording* will be available following the program.

This program offers 9 CEs at $90. For more CE details, see below.

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Description:
When we’re distressed or feel inadequate, our sense of self often contracts. We identify with negative thoughts and emotions, feel isolated, and judge ourselves as not good enough. Self-compassion helps us break free from these habitual patterns and meet our suffering in a new way.

Our biological, cultural, and familial conditioning often leads us to criticize ourselves in an unconscious attempt to feel safe and worthy of love. Through mindfulness, kindness, and common humanity, self-compassion helps us disentangle from these patterns and find greater freedom and a sense of unconditional worth.

Research shows that self-compassion supports psychological and physical well-being, yet practicing it can be difficult. In this workshop-style daylong, Dr. Kristin Neff will provide ways to make self-compassion possible in daily life.

Zen teacher Caverly Morgan brings a contemplative perspective: examining the truth of a separate self and recognizing the loving, connected presence that is always available in awareness itself.

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Sliding Scale: Our sliding scale options for this program include financial support for our teachers. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you can afford: your generosity supports teachers as well as Spirit Rock and your fellow practitioners who need to pay less.

On-Land Sliding Scale: (KN1M27)**
Benefactor – $500
Sustainer – $380
Basic – $220
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, Young Adult) – $110
**Volunteer/Work Exchange opportunities, which include full or partial Scholarships, may be available for the in-person program. For more information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@spiritrock.org.

Online Sliding Scale: (KN1Z27)***
Benefactor – $315
Sustainer – $170
Basic – $135
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna) – $80
***Online Program: All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org no later than 12:00pm (NOON) PT on the day prior to the program date.

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*Important Notes:

Access to Recording

• Registration includes unlimited access to this program’s recording. You must register by the deadline above. The recording will be available in ~10 days after the program.

On-Land Attendees

• The on-land program will take place in the Community Meditation Center (CMC) in the Great Hall.
• Bring a lunch and a water bottle. Lunch is not provided.
• This is NOT a residential retreat. Overnight accommodations are not provided.

COVID Safety Protocols for non-residential programs: details here.

Cancellation Policy for On-Land: Daylongs, Multiday Programs (1-3 days), Family Programs, CE fees:

• NO REFUNDS.
• Open Credit or Donation to Spirit Rock = cancel 2 or more business days prior to program (Pacific Time)
• No Open Credit = cancel less than 2 business days prior

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Continuing Education (CE) credit available:
This introductory-level program offers 9 Continuing Education (CE) credits/contact hours for $90.

This program is applicable for licensed and license-eligible mental health and health care professionals, including psychologists, social workers (LCSW, LSW), counselors (LPC, LCPC, LMHC), marriage and family therapists, nurses (RN, NP), chiropractors, and other health care professionals, seeking education in self-compassion and mindfulness-based approaches to self-criticism. Please review our Continuing Education information page for provider details, and to determine if your association or board will accept credits offered by Spirit Rock.

Self-criticism and shame are common across many clinical presentations, including depression, anxiety, and trauma. Self-compassion is a well-researched, transdiagnostic factor associated with psychological well-being. This program gives health care professionals evidence-informed self-compassion practices and contemplative approaches to decentering from self-critical thoughts, which they can adapt for use with clients. Self-compassion is also associated with lower burnout and greater resilience among care providers, so participants may find these practices useful in their own self-care as well.

Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals-
At the end of the program, participants will be better able to:

• Identify the three key components of self-compassion: mindfulness, kindness, and common humanity.
• Describe key research findings on the relationship between self-compassion and psychological and physical well-being.
• Explain how biological, cultural, and familial conditioning can contribute to self-criticism and the sense of a separate, inadequate self.
• Demonstrate one or more brief self-compassion practices that can be applied in everyday life.
• Apply self-compassion to a challenging emotional situation, allowing difficult emotions to be felt rather than resisted.
• Differentiate between identifying with thoughts and emotions and begin to recognize them as arising with awareness.
• Describe how self-compassion can serve as a pathway from the conditioned mind to the direct experience of compassion.

Attendance policy for CE participants:

• Full, live attendance is required. Incomplete attendance nullifies CE eligibility, as board regulations do not permit partial credit for partial attendance.
• Sign in and out at the CE table, on time, each day.
• Submit your professional information within one week of receiving the link. This link will be emailed within 2 business days after the program to all participants who met the attendance requirements.
• Certificates are issued only to those who meet the attendance requirements—without exception—to maintain compliance with our provider licenses and ensure the continuation of future CE programs.

Please note:

• Visit our Continuing Education information page for complete provider details and additional CE information, including attendance requirements and our cancellation and grievance policies.
• Continuing Education is sponsored by Mindful CECs.
• Mindful CECs is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Mindful CECs maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
• Mindful CECs is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17985 for 9 contact hours.
• Participants are responsible for determining whether this program meets the CE requirements of their licensing board or certifying organization. Spirit Rock does not confirm CE applicability for license types beyond the scope of Mindful CECs’ provider approvals.
• Credit is awarded for instructional time only and does not include extended silent meditation, if offered. Credit/contact hours omit the one-hour lunch period and two 15-minute breaks.
• Conflict of Interest Statement: These instructors may have authored publications relevant to the subjects covered in this course, and may teach additional programs. The instructors might reference these publications and programs during the course, and may receive financial compensation if participants choose to purchase them.

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