Mindful Self-Compassion

Most of us feel compassion for our close friends when they are struggling. What would it be like to receive the same caring attention from yourself when you needed it most? All that’s required is a shift in attention – recognizing that as a human being, you, too, are a worthy recipient of compassion.

This 6-session online class series draws on the skills of mindfulness and focuses on developing the resource of self-compassion to enhance our capacity for emotional well-being. Burgeoning research shows that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional well-being, coping with life’s challenges, lower levels of anxiety and depression, healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying personal relationships. It is an inner strength that enables us to be more fully human – more fully ourselves.

You will be provided with essential tools for treating yourself in a kind, compassionate way whenever you suffer, fail, or feel inadequate. Program activities include short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. All are welcome. No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required.

Mindful Self-Compassion is an empirically supported training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on the ground-breaking research of Dr. Kristen Neff and the clinical expertise of Dr. Christopher Germer, it teaches us how to treat ourselves with kindness, care, and understanding.

This class will not be recorded. Attendance requirement for incentive points – at least 80% of 5 of the 6 sessions.

Request disability accommodations and access info.

Instructor: Lakiba Pittman is a lecturer at Menlo College and a senior adjunct professor at Notre Dame de Namur University, where she teaches courses on culture, communication, and well-being. Certified by Stanford’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, she leads mindfulness and compassion-based workshops that foster resilience, healing, and inclusive leadership across diverse communities.

Class details are subject to change.