Compassion opens and expands our minds and hearts, inspiring kindness and altruistic behavior. Current research suggests that compassion can be intentionally cultivated to enhance personal well-being, resilience, and capacity to benefit others. This is because training in compassion reduces empathy fatigue, improves emotion regulation, and fosters healthy social connection.

Naropa’s WELCOME Training offers a pathway to foster mindfulness alongside lovingkindness for yourself, loved ones, and even the difficult people in our lives. Drawing on scientific research findings from neuroscience and psychology, as well as practices and teachings from Buddhism, WELCOME provides a multifaceted view of the power and potential of compassion. Throughout the course, you will be introduced to a series of experiential practices, receive informative suggested readings, and engage in compassionate “fieldwork” to integrate compassion into your personal, social and professional life.

Key topics include: Mindfulness · Self-compassion · Loving-kindness · Empathy · Resilient compassion · Embodiment · Burnout · Is compassion always nice?

The Training will include weekly downloadable video lectures and recorded guided meditations that you can listen to and watch on your own time. Live (real-time) online sessions on Wednesday evenings and during the 1/2 day Saturday retreat will include embodiment practices, guided meditations, discussion and time for q&a.

Teaching Team: Jordan Quaglia, PhD; Erika Berland, BPS; Carla Mueller, MDiv; and Charlotte Rotterdam, MTS

A Letter of Completion is available to anyone who attends all sessions and completes all practices, readings and fieldwork.

Course opens online on Wednesday, October 7.

Real-time sessions via Zoom:

Wednesday, October 7, 6:30-7:30pm

Wednesdays, October 21; November 4; November 18, 6:30-8:30pm

Saturday, November 14, 9:30am-1pm

Zoom link will be provided upon registration.

For questions, please contact Charlotte Rotterdam, crotterdam@naropa.edu