The program was beautifully designed! I loved the fact that it not only has made me confident about teaching compassion but has helped me deepen my own mindfulness practice. Over the course of the program and life I have consciously tried to practice non judgement and have seen my compassion grow as a result of that. The program is a beautiful combination of research based evidence and the emotion based first hand experience of compassion.
Vedanti Dave, India
This program will inform your teaching style and techniques keeping inclusion as a top priority, and invite you to start your own self-injury journey.
Nitzan Blouin, Boulder CO
I’d encourage others to join the program to enhance their individual practice as well as gain confidence in sharing this age old and vital wisdom to others.
Vedanti Dave, India
The program exceeded expectations on teaching techniques and tool, teachings on self compassion and mindfulness and scientific studies on effects of mindfulness practices.
Nitzan Blouin, Boulder CO
My favourite part was the engaging discussions with Aly, the group and the experts that made time to share their wisdom with us! They were extremely thought provoking and helped me build such precious connections of heart with Aly, James and the group members. I also loved when we got extra time in small groups during practice teaching as they helped us get to know eachother better.
Vedanti Dave, India
With compassion and mindfulness back in my life and more importantly, back in my daily routine, I am sleeping better, breathing deeper, and feel much more deliberate.
Brenda Nolen, Santa Cruz, California
“I was coming in with a trust that this would be a science-based program that wouldn’t require “faith” from me (I’m an atheist) and that would give me tools to deal positively with the emotional realm within me. The course definitely delivered.”
Mathilde Lenoir
“Compassion meditation has given me essential tools for facing difficult times. I believe that being actively compassionate connects us to each other in ways that are profoundly transformative for all.”
Lisa Kiser
“We all are alike in that we all suffer. Getting in touch with the fact that we all suffer, we all want to be happy makes one realize that we are more alike than different. This class exceeded my expectations. It motivates me to continue cultivating compassion and to make a difference in other people’s lives.”
Jeannie F.
This course brought me back to meditation, which had been absent in my life during the stresses of this pandemic. The first time Aly had us close our eyes and take a few deep breaths, I felt immediately at ease and kinda had a feeling of being “back home”. For me it was immediate, during our very first session. At first, I struggled with the weekly meditations. Once I realized that I was starting to feel better, less tight and spun-up, I was more committed to the weekly practices. I averaged 5 days a week by the end of our Course.
Brenda Nolen, Santa Cruz, California
“I am already talking about this class to people around me and encouraging friends to take it. I believe it was a great use of both time and money, and something that can only bring you a positive outcome – maybe even a spectacular one.”
Mathilde Lenoir
“I am stronger in my resolve to maintain the daily meditation practice that I was able to establish through the course. A first for me despite various attempts! I am clearer on the benefits to myself and others. No doubt our world would be a better place if we all committed to acting with compassion in the face of suffering both at a personal and systemic level. Much gratitude for these teachings!”
Deb Egan
“I’m more calm. Not as quick to react, I have more awareness of others’ suffering vs. being judgmental and dismissive. My life and my family’s life is forever changed for the better. After the 3rd or 4th week I knew that I wanted to incorporate this with the rest of my life and work.”
Rebecca P.
This course is a great gift to give yourself. Compassion cultivation is like finding an endless stream of JOY to play in. It will improve your life wherever you are on your journey.
Brenda Nolen, Santa Cruz, California
“Even after several years, I still feel what a gift it is to have been in the course. I feel like I am able to connect to my truest self and what I want most for the world through compassion meditation.”
Lisa Kiser
“I hug those I love much more and am able to verbalize my love more freely. My habitual ways of reacting to others has decreased.”
Jeannie F.
“I found the CCT course to be life shifting, both personally and professionally. The homework and in-class exercises, combined with guided meditations, provided a solid and meaningful foundation for personal, professional, psychological, and spiritual development and expansion. In our complex world, awareness and practice of CCT is a gift of collective fortune.”
Lori N.
“How nourishing it is to find yourself present for 2 hours. The deep sharing and group practices created a sweet connection in the group. The benefits have been many. Most importantly I have learned to be less hard on myself and others. Every day I wake up with the intention to be more compassionate and I think of ways to share the “love” as I know how much this sharing can make a difference in others’ lives. The class helps you take the focus off yourself and your habitual thoughts. Taking the focus off yourself and placing it with others builds compassion.”
Jeannie F.
“I feel that this program has been transformational for me and will continue to be so as I take what I have learnt and the resources forward. I feel that compassion cultivation has set me up with something very powerful to enable me to continue to work on my interior condition.”
Rebecca Stevens
“I found the CCT course to be life shifting, both personally and professionally. The homework and in-class exercises, combined with guided meditations, provided a solid and meaningful foundation for personal, professional, psychological, and spiritual development and expansion. The wisdom, knowledge, kindness, and compassion with which Dr. Waibel facilitated every class was palpable—and encouraged me to incorporate this firsthand learning into my day-to-day life experiences. In our complex world, awareness and practice of compassion is a gift of collective fortune.”
Lori N.
“This is the first such class I’ve taken and the first longer-term commitment to a formal, spiritual practice for many years. I discovered a much deeper level of concentration and pleasure from the guided meditations than from previous techniques I used regularly for many years. I have felt compassion for a long time but never quantified it. Having the guidance is very helpful.”
Steve Ross
“I learned that I do have a bit of compassion. I enjoyed the group and different personalities. I’m more tolerant, I listen mindfully and listen before judging.”
George Roskop
“I experience greater well-being, less fear. I enjoy having this tool. I almost always feel happier after I practice.”
Jill Winter
“This course was literally life changing for me. I can’t say enough about it to enough people in my circles. Just thank you!”
Erin R.
“There have been so many changes in how I now respond to daily life situations. I feel more in touch with what is happening internally now – in my mind and heart… I am more patient and kinder to myself when I find myself not living up to my own ideals. These changes make me feel like I’m in the driver’s seat more often. The self-awareness and conscious effort to apply compassion in my daily life has also provided a healthier way for me to be there for others.”
Geeta Shyam
“Thank you for the amazing work to organize so many countries, so many concepts, to unite in something so purposeful and joyful.”
Anonymous
“I cannot say enough about what a great experience this was for me. If you want to up your personal vibe and learn some amazing things (there are great physiological benefits from this course!), sign up.”
Chelsea C.
Dedicating time to focus on being compassionate is one of the best things you can do for yourself, your relationships, and others. The meditations in this course help with visualizing our common humanity and this pushes for action to ease suffering in the world.
Anonymous
“Your session was wonderful. I not only came away with feeling full but also with much to muse about in the coming days/weeks/and more.”
Anonymous
“I’ve definitely noticed a shift in how I interact or receive input in my daily life. I react differently to the vision of suffering around me. I have a better trust in myself and in my strength. I feel I can make myself more useful in stressful situations.”
Mathilde Lenoir
“I’ll stop before responding (in most cases), I think of how I feel before reacting. Those are great gifts to find in 8 short weeks!”
Anonymous
“I have noticed that I feel more present even on my longest working days and when I am feeling most tired. I have found greater concentration, presence, feeling of ease and calmness, and ability to be able to more easily step back in the moment.”
Rebecca Stevens
“There have been so many changes in how I now respond to daily life situations. I feel more in touch with what is happening internally now – in my mind and heart. The self-awareness and conscious effort to apply compassion in my daily life has also provided a healthier way for me to be there for others.”
Geeta Shyam
“I’ve definitely noticed a shift in how I interact or receive input in my daily life. It feels silly to say this but I feel more mature. I can still be reactive/impulsive, but the moment of mentally stepping back and watching myself comes sooner…I also react differently to the vision of suffering around me. I feel a concern and an urge to help instead of an urge to flee or a surge of anxiety.
Mathilde Lenoir
I am also more attentive to signs that the person in front of me might be suffering. To use an image, I feel like my backbone is stronger. I have a better trust in myself and in my strength, I know that I can “take it” if I am faced with someone’s suffering. Because of that, I feel I can make myself more useful in stressful situations.”
“I loved the class time in its entirety and how the two hours were put together, with a mixture of plenary input and sharing, small groups and formal practice.”
Rebecca Stevens
“I would say that CCT is life-changing and uplifting.” I feel more able to help people to accept a situation when they feel that life is treating them unfairly. I also support the appreciation of the smaller things in life.”
Janet Hayes
“I have noticed that I feel more present even on my longest working days and when I am feeling most tired, and I feel a general sense of greater calmness and ease…. I have practiced every day since the course began… some of the benefits I have found from doing so include greater concentration, presence, feeling of ease and calmness, and ability to be able to more easily step back in the moment. I feel more resources and am sleeping better too.”
Rebecca Stevens
“I just completed this 8-week course on cultivating compassion and it has helped me in so many tangible ways: I have a daily meditation practice (for 3 mos), a longer fuse, an ability to breathe deeply through tough moments or situations, am more direct, act more courageously and feel more connected to those in my life as well as all others with whom I share this planet. I cannot say enough about what a great experience this was for me, how lovely it was to share this class with other students, and what an engaging and knowledgeable teacher Aly is. If you want to up your personal vibe and learn some amazing things (there are great physiological benefits from this course!), sign up.”
Chelsea C.
“It is simply amazing to broaden our wisdom about a simple yet radical topic such as compassion. It can sound naïve but it is THE skill that will make us a better human and consequently a better collective.”
Anonymous
“No doubt our world would be a better place if we all committed to acting with compassion in the face of suffering both at a personal and systemic level. Much gratitude for these teachings!”
Deb Egan
“I would say if you are thinking about doing it – just do it and do it for yourself. It is one of the most transformational things I have done. It was amazing how quickly the classes became a highlight of my week in spite of them being quite late on a Friday evening.”
Rebecca Stevens
