Mindful Self-Compassion course: eight weeks on Wednesday evenings
15 October at 18:15 to 21:00
Our eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion course teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to challenges and difficult emotions with care and understanding.
Overview
How we respond to those around us is fundamental to a happy life. We are often encouraged to be kind to people. But in trying to show compassion towards others, we may forget to look after ourselves. Can we truly be kind to anyone else if we cannot be kind to ourselves?
In the Mindful Self-Compassion course we offer ways to meet our own challenges with greater care. Through the course we will learn how to be more mindful of our own feelings in response to others. And how this can help us to be more resilient in difficult situations. We also learn to be less judgemental and more caring. And we will see how this can reduce anxiety, leaving us more open to making helpful changes in our lives.
The course creates a safe, supportive environment. There are three core components:
- mindfulness (being present with whatever is happening)
- self-kindness (treating ourselves with care rather than criticism)
- common humanity (recognising our suffering as part of the shared human experience)
Some of the main topics we cover are:
- handling difficult emotions
- transforming the inner critic
- cultivating core values
- meeting unmet needs
The weekly sessions include:
- guided meditations
- short talks
- discussion, including in small groups
- experiential exercises
- resources to support home practice
The course creators are Kristin Neff, researcher in the field of self-compassion. And Christopher Germer, leader in the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy. They have each published books on the subject.
Find out more about our Mindful Self-Compassion course here.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for the general public, you do not need to have attended a mindfulness course before. Please note, this courses may not be suitable for everyone. If you are experiencing mental health issues, you should talk to your GP about being referred to the appropriate clinical service.
When?
Wednesday evenings from 6.15pm to 9pm (BST). The course starts with a 1.5 hour orientation on 15 October 2025 at 6.15pm and then runs until 17 December 2025, including a retreat session. In total the course runs for 10 weeks. See below
Orientation: 15 October 2025 (1.5 hours)
Session 1: 22 October 2025 (2.75 hours)
Session 2: 29 October 2025 (2.75 hours)
Session 3: 5 November 2025 (2.75 hours)
Session 4: 12 November 2025 (2.75 hours)
Retreat Session: 19 November 2025 (2.75 hours)
Session 5: 26 November 2025 (2.75 hours)
Session 6: 3 December 2025 (2.75 hours)
Session 7: 10 December 2025 (2.75 hours)
Session 8: 17 December 2025 (2.75 hours)
Where?
Online. You will get Zoom log-in details when your place is confirmed.
The format of the course?
- Orientation session of 1.5 hours.
- Eight weekly two and three quarter hour classes with a 15 minute break in the middle
- A two and three quarter hour retreat session.
- The course follows the programme outlined in the Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff. It is recommended that you buy this book to accompany the course, but it’s not essential.
- Daily meditation home practice of up to 30 minutes is suggested.
Facilitators
Annie Akasati McAuley
Mindfulness meditation has been a source of creativity and joy throughout my life. I am a freelance mindfulness teacher and supervisor. I also work with the Sussex Mindfulness Centre, Suzy Bolt, and the Brighton Buddhist Centre. I am DBS checked and a registered member of the British Association of Mindfulness-based Approaches (BAMBA).
I write a monthly blog on themes related to mindfulness, compassion and wisdom. This is available on our website and other publications. I have a teaching background and have worked with adults and young people over four decades. I am an ordained Buddhist since 1999, leading courses and retreats using my Buddhist name, Akasati.
Julia Powell
Mindfulness has been a huge part of my life ever since I first attended a course in 2007. Having trained to teach with the Oxford Mindfulness Centre in 2017, I have been teaching mindfulness courses since then. Apart from Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, I am also trained to teach Mindfulness for Life, Finding Peace in a Frantic World and Mindful Self-Compassion. I offer 121 mindfulness coaching sessions, am a mindfulness teaching supervisor and run mindfulness courses for the Sussex Mindfulness Centre.
How to book
Please note we ask all those who book on this course to fill in an application form here that will be sent to the facilitators. If you haven’t already please head here to fill in the form.
