The Power of Loving Awareness: Meeting Adversity with Compassion and Clarity (MC4D26)

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

Registration closes at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on October 17, 2026. A waiting list will be created if the program fills early. A recording* will be available following the program.

This program offers 5 CEs at $50. For more CE details, see below.

Description:
Mindfulness and love are essential and beautiful qualities of an awakened life. Mindfulness leads to clarity, insight, and understanding while compassion is an attitude of heart that cares deeply about life’s challenges. Combined, they allow a kind embrace of the pain and struggles that arise in ourselves, each other, and the world.

During this heartfelt day of meditation, we will discover how these qualities are essential in responding to the inevitable stresses and suffering that are part of being human. We will explore how they are necessary in any journey of awakening and in learning to live wisely and kindly in the midst of difficulty.

Participants will cultivate awareness through mindfulness meditations, and develop a compassionate orientation through heart-opening practices. Teachings will focus on the integration of love and awareness as a response to suffering and pain. We will also inquire into what obstructs the natural expression of the heart.

On-Land Sliding Scale: (MC4D26)**
Benefactor – $310
Sustainer – $235
Basic – $140
Scholarship (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, Young Adult) – $70
**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: (MC4Z26)***
Benefactor – $175
Sustainer – $95
Basic – $75
Scholarship (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, Young Adult) – $45
***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.

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.

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

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 mindfulness and compassion-based practices for meeting stress and adversity with clarity and care. 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.

Care providers routinely hold space for others’ distress while managing adversity of their own — a dual load that, over time, can erode attention and impact a compassionate response. This program builds applied practices to meet that: mindful attention to hold steady under emotional load, and compassion practice to sustain an open response rather than defensiveness, avoidance, or impatience. Together, they support improved patient/client care, reduced burnout risk, and a more attentive, compassionate clinical presence.

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

• Describe how mindfulness meditation practices support present-moment awareness and clarity when responding to adversity and emotional load.
• Describe how compassion-based practices cultivate empathic, non-defensive engagement with one’s own and another’ s suffering.
• Apply integrated mindfulness and compassion practices to regulate emotional responses to suffering and adversity.

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.
• 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 5 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.
• Conflict of Interest Statement: This instructor may have authored publications relevant to the subjects covered in this course, and may teach additional programs. The instructor might reference these publications and programs during the course, and may receive financial compensation if participants choose to purchase them.