Cultivating Kindness and Compassion
A Daylong Retreat: Saturday, October 5 (9:30AM-4:00PM)
Kindness (often called Loving-Kindness Meditation or LKM) and Compassion practices (delivered through the Mindful Self-Compassion program or MSC) are traditionally integral to the practice of mindfulness. These simple practices can soften our awareness, support greater ease in practice, and help us more flexibly meet the challenges in our lives. Kindness and compassion are often thought of as the other “wing” of practice. It takes both awareness/wisdom and kindness/compassion to fly.
- Kindness is an expression of basic friendliness and goodwill toward others and ourselves.
- Compassion is that same goodwill turned toward our own and others suffering.
- These ancient practices have been research-proven to reduce distress by modern science.
Who should attend?
The retreat is open to both newcomers to meditation and experienced mindfulness practitioners with an interest in kindness and compassion meditation. For new students, the retreat will offer introductory practices of mindfulness, kindness and compassion which can develop our natural capacities for connection with ourselves and others. Experienced students will re-visit (or get a boost for re-starting) their mindfulness practice and deepen their understanding of kindness and compassion practices in support of greater ease and wellbeing.
The retreat will be held mostly in silence with periods of mindful sitting, walking and movement as a support for the introduction of basic kindness and compassion practices.
Some topics we will cover:
- Welcome & Introduction
- Mindfulness of breathing
- Intro to Kindness Meditation
- Intro to Compassion Meditation
- Walking meditation & mindful movement
- Mindful Eating
- Kindness practice for self and others
- Giving and receiving compassion
- Integrating Kindness & Compassion
- Discussion & Closing
Through this daylong format, participants will explore:
– Basic practices of kindness and compassion
– The relationship of these practices and mindfulness practice
– A softer approach to our own experience that promotes ease
– An opportunity to befriend even our most difficult experiences
More about Kindness Mediation (LKM) and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC):
MSC, developed by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer, has been shown to enhance emotional well-being, boost resilience and happiness, reduce anxiety and depression, and help maintain lifestyle habits such as healthy eating and exercise. LKM, developed at the Seattle VA by Carolyn McManus and David Kearney has shown benefit to those suffering with trauma, depression and anxiety, improve our relationship with ourselves and others, and to enhance overall health and well-being.
Sliding Scale Pricing
Options and Pricing
Sliding Scale Tier 1
Sliding Scale Tier 2
Sliding Scale Tier 3
Sliding Scale Coupon Codes
Retreat Teachers:
Co-Instructor: Joel Grow, PHD
Joel is a Seattle-based clinical psychologist and mindfulness practitioner. His approach aims at leading a full and meaningful life, by clarifying what is deeply important for each person and practicing skills for working effectively with the pain and stress that life inevitably brings. He was part of the development team for Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) and continues to lead MBRP groups and professional workshops. He is also a trained teacher in Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), and pioneered online MSC groups for men. His background includes providing behavioral health care and trainings/workshops in community agencies, VA and private hospitals, specialized medical settings, corporations, and government agencies. Before graduate school, Joel spent 6 years as a software engineer and in-house trainer/instructor at Amazon.com. He also co-developed and was lead instructor for a 9-month University of WA certificate program for 9 years, and was awarded the UW “Award of teaching excellence”.
Co-Instructor: Jonas Batt, MA, LMHC
Jonas is a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher through the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society. He is passionately committed to helping others learn, grow, and change through the simple power of paying attention in the present moment. Jonas has practiced and studied mindfulness and meditation since 1997, holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Seattle University, and is a licensed mental health counselor in private practice with a specialty in mindfulness-based therapy. He Executive Director and co-founder of Cascadia Mindfulness Institute, which offers mindfulness education to organizations and individuals around the region. Since 2014, he has had the good fortune to teach mindfulness and kindness for research into the effects of these interventions on PTSD, chronic pain and distress.
Your Retreat Destination: Samaritan Center in Seattle, WA
Samaritan Center of Puget Sound located in Seattle’s Greenlake neighborhood
CMI’s Clients
