Compassion Intensive
A Focused Exploration Into the Personal Practice of Compassion
Next Cohort Fall 2024
As humans, we are wired not only to be able to do hard things, but to do them with love. When we do, we tap into a profound and renewing source of strength, courage, and connection. Wisdom traditions, the arts, and even science call this capacity to be both aware of suffering and willing to relieve that suffering compassion. It is how we have survived and thrived as individuals, communities, and as a species.
Recent discoveries in neuroscience show that compassion is both an innate capacity rooted in our care system and a skill which can be deliberately trained and strengthened. As we cultivate compassion, we become better able to respond to the challenges of life with wisdom, respect, and kindness. We build individual and collective resilience, growing in ways that make us stronger and more connected rather than hurt and broken apart.
This four-week Compassion Intensive is designed to introduce participants to the practice of compassion through evidence-based research, interactive exercises, personal reflection, and group discussions. It condenses key components of Compassion Cultivation Training© (CCT™), an 8-week training developed at Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE), and now housed at the Compassion Institute. Participants will be introduced to the science of compassion, gain insight into their own experiences, and explore practices which support the unfolding of compassion in their personal and professional lives.
When
Fall 2024
Where
Online via Zoom
Why
This class series is designed as an intensive, experiential introduction to compassion training for anyone who wants to explore the benefits of compassion. This includes leaders, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, therapists, entrepreneurs, public servants, parents, and people in a wide range of professions and life contexts. It is also serves as a refresher course and opportunity to practice for those already familiar with one or more of the many evidence-based compassion trainings available.
Program Curriculum
Week 1
Introduction to Compassion / Intention and Attention
Welcome, Science of Compassion, Importance of Intention, Role of Mindful Awareness
Week 2
Cultivating Care and Connection
Science of Connection, Choosing Care, Cultivating Lovingkindness and Compassion
Week 3
Self-Compassion and Self-Appreciation
Including Ourselves in the Circle of Compassion, Benefits of Self-compassion, Connecting to our Values, Flourishing
Week 4
Common Humanity and Active Compassion
Embracing Common Humanity, Expanding Circles of Compassion, Embodied and Courageous Compassion
Course Overview
Four weeks of live, online interactive participation led by certified Compassion Cultivation Training© Instructor Laura Banks
Small breakout groups with peers for deeper exploration and connection
Focus on experiential learning through practices and exercises
Resources to explore and learn more between sessions
Lifetime access to short, guided meditations created specifically for this course
Live sessions meet weekly for two hours.
All course materials and additional resources will be posted online and available for downloading. You are encouraged to attend as many live sessions as possible, but you will also reap the benefits of the course if you listen to the recording.
Compassion Intensive Faculty
Laura Banks
Laura Banks is a Certified Compassion Cultivation© (CCT) Instructor, dual-certified by Compassion Institute and Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). While studying, working, and raising a family around the world, she has witnessed how meeting the challenges of life with compassion reduces suffering and transforms the very things people thought would break them into the most resilient and beautiful parts of who they are. This powerful combination of training and personal experience shape Laura’s commitment to strengthen her own and others’ capacity to thrive, especially through the cultivation of compassion.
Laura is an alumna of Brigham Young University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and an RYT-200 Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor. She grew up in a bilingual/bicultural home and has lived in North and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. She has extensive experience teaching and leading groups in multicultural settings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the format of the online training?
Each live session meets weekly for two hours, and recordings of that session will be posted shortly thereafter, in case you cannot attend live.
Each class will include live discussion and training facilitated by Laura Banks, Certified Compassion Cultivation Training© Instructor, with a focus on experiential learning through practices and exercises, as well as small group breakouts with your peers.
All course materials and additional resources will be posted online and available for downloading. You are encouraged to attend as many live sessions as possible, but you will also reap the benefits of the course if you listen to the recordings.
How many hours of work are required to complete the training? Is there homework?
There are four weekly live class sessions, 2 hours each, for a total of 8 hours of group class time. There is no formal homework, however, participants will have access to short, guided meditations and suggested micro-moment practices to further deepen their learning, if they wish.
What technology is required to access the course?
Live sessions will be conducted on the Zoom platform. You will need a free subscription to Zoom to connect to the course. Zoom may be accessed through computers, tablets, or any mobile phone. If you need further information on Zoom, please visit www.zoom.us.
Will I receive a certificate upon completing this training?
Yes, you will receive a certificate of completion from the Center for Compassionate Leadership. Certificates will be delivered electronically, so that they can be shared on LinkedIn or other digital channels.
Do I have life-long access to the course material?
Yes, you will be able to access the materials and recordings at any time in the future.
What are the fees for the program?
The program fee is $295 per person.
What payment methods are accepted for the program?
Payment may be made directly with a major credit card or via PayPal. If you would like us to bill your organization, please email a request to cfclprograms@gmail.com with the subject line “Direct Billing Request - Compassion Intensive.” Please include your name, your organization name and any information we should put on the invoice (contact person or department, purchase order number, or the like.)
Will you refund my fee if I have to withdraw?
If you must withdraw prior to the start of the course, your fees are refundable in full, less a $50 USD cancellation fee.
Are scholarships available?
Yes. We are able to offer a very limited number of partial and full scholarships.
What is covered in the program fee? Are there any additional costs?
The program fee covers the entire four-week curriculum, access to the live Zoom sessions, and lifetime access to session recordings and program materials. There are no additional fees.