What others are saying about our Mindful Self-Compassion courses:
Professional Caregivers weigh in with their thoughts…
“I took the MSC 8-week course and am finding it to be of great benefit. I discovered that compassion for others is one thing, but that compassion-for-self is very different and has become an important part of my personal development. Personal change begins with self-acceptance, to which self-compassion is now, for me an important ingredient.
In my work with people who are facing the difficulty of living life in the present moment, I have found that there is a strong tendency to repeat recurring patterns that are harmful and self-destructive. The ability to look dispassionately at those patterns, and the part we play in setting them up, is a challenge that MSC helps ameliorate.”
“I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the 8 week MSC class facilitated by Denette Mann and Jennifer Landon. It was full of deep meaningful experiences in addition to a wealth of profound information and insights regarding mindfulness and self-compassion. In addition I participated in an all-day retreat, which also deepened my personal journey. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to grow spiritually.”
“As an active board member of several nonprofits for over 20 years, the Self Compassion Workshop was of great interest. I learned valuable and effective techniques to provide self care when I experience empathy overload and burnout. The exercises led by Denette Mann were very effective and her followup to our break out session was very personalized and caring.
At our break out sessions, it was reassuring to know that the need of self compassion is common among passionate and effective leaders. We were able to encourage each other in our life goals in a small group which led to community building as well.
Thank you for this valuable session.”
“An enlightening and challenging experience that will cultivate growth and benefit all areas of your life if you’re brave enough to take the leap and trust the process with an open mind.”
Adults share their thoughts on our 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion courses…
“The Mindful Self Compassion course was recommended to me by a local counselor who knew the material and trusted Denette’s leadership. After the recommendation, I read about the studies done by founders Kristin Neff and Chris Germer. I was very impressed by their research and went into the study with an open mind. Throughout the 8 week course my self-compassion score increased from 2.32 to 3.37 on a 5 point scale. I can feel the difference in the quality of my thought life and my ability to regulate my emotions with greater ease. I know I will continue applying what I learned in the course for the rest of my life. Denette was a true model of compassion. She allowed each member of the group to come as they are and practice the exercises at their own pace. I would recommend this course to any friend or family member.”
“Participating in the 6-week short MSC course with you was a transformative experience for me. You’re a compassionate, loving and kind person and an amazing coach. I feel blessed for having this opportunity. And I look forward to taking the 8 week MSC course next year. I’ve already signed up for the complimentary MSC graduates group and just experienced your wonderful ‘gratitude’ meditation. Thank you so much for all your teachings.”
“I highly recommend the MSC course to everyone who seeks more joy and self-acceptance. Denette’s wise counsel coupled with the open, honest sharing in our group paved the way for change and growth. Replacing self-criticism with the power of compassion and life affirming practices has truly brought new freedom and joy in my life.”
“I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the 8 week MSC class facilitated by Denette Mann and Jennifer Landon. It was full of deep meaningful experiences in addition to a wealth of profound information and insights regarding mindfulness and self-compassion. In addition I participated in an all-day retreat, which also deepened my personal journey. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to grow spiritually.”
“I believe that I have learned about and practiced the importance of self-care through the past 25 years. MSC has, however, been a way to ‘kick it up a notch’ with a deeper level of commitment to self-awareness and love. Would recommend the class to anyone who is wanting a richer life for themselves.”
“……It feels like my compass has finally become inner directed, assured and gentle to self. The result is a much larger sense of compassion for others. . . at times it feels like ‘a new of pair of glasses’ and my heart is filled with so much love! Thank you for your guidance, wisdom and experience.”
“Hello Denette!
I have been thinking about you a lot, since I left Texas. You see, I was presented with a great job opportunity, but the catch was a 90 day trial period far away form home. Even though I have been assigned lush accommodations in a 5,000 sq foot mansion, I am completely alone in it.It is located atop a beautiful hill on the high California desert. The Desert, literally. A colleague comes to work daily, but I telecommute with European associates every day. Professionally it has been a thrilling adventure, but personally, the separation from my known world and the isolation that has come as part and parcel of this experience, have been rough. Its been a month and I am still figuring out if this is really a good fit for me. And while I do that, in the lonely, lonely nights of the desert, I thank the stars I attended your course, because you taught me to hug myself and find comfort in my own company. I would be going insane if I had not befriended myself during your wonderful training. THANK YOU.
Best wishes”
“Denette Mann’s Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) class was simply eye-opening. I hadn’t realized how much meanness I directed toward myself in the quest of productivity, and how it worked against me. The class gave me techniques to modify my self-talk so I am encouraged and less stressed as I live each day. Also, Unity of Dallas was a great place to attend the MSC class. The space was comfortable and welcoming. I looked forward to the weekly class there and am considering attending a service.”
“I took the MSC training from Denette Mann, and found it to be very helpful and meaningful. There were several exercises that helped me be more mindful about what is actually going on with my thoughts and body. I also learned some new things about myself that have allowed me to be less critical of myself.”
“I didn’t really think a lot would come from Mindful Self-Compassion, but it was surprising and really amazing despite my skepticism. Denette was faced with a group of people who were already friends, which had to be a challenge for her, but she did a wonderful job. All of us plan to attend the once a month Sunday session because of her. I have already recommended the 8-week MSC course to several people.”
“Mindful Self-Compassion is about being present to my experience of myself. I thought this would be about meditation. It was unlike any other seminar I’ve done. It allowed me the time, presence and support to discover my own suffering and gave me skills to love, honor and support myself wherever I am.”
“Interactive, engaging and enlightening are a few words that describe my experience attending one of Denette’s Mindfulness Self Compassion (MSC) classes. After years of numbing all emotions and letting my wandering mind unconsciously determine my behavior, I reached a breaking point which led me to seek Denette’s MSC class. Initially, I had no idea what to expect and although I struggled with personal self judgement for even considering a class like this, I knew that I wasn’t truly living life, rather I was just surviving and it was time for a change. There are several differentiators that make Denette’s class unique. One that I personally appreciate is the simplified approach she takes explaining what Mindfulness is and how it connects to Self-Compassion. The learning experience blends diverse adult learning strategies and includes formal and informal mindfulness practices. These were helpful for someone like me who had zero previous knowledge about this topic. Denette provides easy-to-follow meditations that helped me cope with whatever suffering I was experiencing at the time. I learned that suffering is not only subject to physical pain, rather it comes in many non-physical forms such as anger, sadness, envy and even hate. Having this new level of awareness to know when I’m experiencing any form of suffering gave me the ability to treat myself with self-care and compassion vs judgement. This has empowered me to be kind to others and see the rest of humanity through the lens of kindness and compassion. I personally recommend Dentte’s MSC class to anyone that is looking to increase their presence, personal awareness and would like to learn how to treat themselves with kindness, and in turn treat others the same. ”.
Teens weigh in with their opinion…
“The course was impactful because of all of the meditations and exercises that helped me interact more with my emotions and consider my relationships with others on a deeper level.”
“Making Friends with Myself course was really helpful in many ways. It helped me learn how to be a bit kinder to myself, rather than being so hard on myself and staying inside my head. It was also a very open experience for me but if I ever felt something was too much, there were people there who cared about my wellbeing and I could take a break if necessary. I also found the exercises, especially the meditations, helpful because they helped me give my body a break from all the stress it endures almost constantly. This really helped me both emotionally and physically along with the other aspects of the class that taught me how to accept myself more rather than just tolerating my existence”.