This idea of shared humanity and the connections that we make with one another – that’s what, in fact, makes life worth living.
– Clint Smith, author and scholar
Some time ago, I read “The Lonely Century” by economist Noreena Hertz. In her book she describes the worryingly growing loneliness around the world, which seems only to be intensified by social media, Covid, the climate crisis, the horrible daily news about the genocide in Gaza, the ongoing war in Ukraine and other hotspots of violence and the strong polarisation in views and increasing intolerance that can be sensed in many countries.
The theme touched me because I myself struggled with loneliness as an adolescent, and I couldn’t initially deal with this in a healthy way. This was a fertile ground for harshness, especially to myself (of course, it can also turn outward and become a breeding ground for harshness to others).
I am very glad that I met the practice of mindfulness at a young age, I experienced it as a lifeline. It offered a practical way in mindfully connecting with the present time experiences in body and mind, and in connecting more wisely and compassionately with myself and with the world around.
But it seems to me that just being mindful may not be enough in this present vulnerable and ‘bleeding’ world any more. Foundational mindfulness programmes like MBSR and MBCT offer a wonderful intrapersonal introduction. But the rapidly changing ‘lonely century’ may make an extra appeal on deepening mindfulness interpersonally too, with prosocial skills.
The Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living programme is a valuable means of developing connectivity with ourselves, others, and the world around us. This enables us to respond in compassionate ways.
MBCL introductory courses (MBCL 8-Week Course, MBCL Foundation Course or MBCL Retreat) offer you the chance to experience the key features of MBCL and develop your own compassion-based practice.
Building on your own experience with MBCL, you may wish to continue with an MBCL Teacher Training course, which would be the next step in your MBCL journey. This Teacher Training is suitable for MBSR/MBCT teachers who wish to teach the 8-week MBCL course, and for healthcare professionals who wish to incorporate elements of MBCL into their work.
MBCL was created 18 years ago by Erik and me as a science-based secular course, to deepen mindfulness with ‘heartfulness’. It is officially recognised as a follow-up programme after MBSR or MBCT.
We hope to meet you at some of these events. They are wonderful opportunities to practice in ways that support us in meeting the conditions alive in our lives at the moment.
A warm welcome.
Frits Koster