What is MBCL?

Follows the model of the MBSR/MBCT course

Consisting of 8 sessions of 2,5 hours and an extra session in silence, MBCL follows the model of the MBSR/MBCT course. MBCL is particularly suitable for those who find mindfulness practice beneficial but have difficulty integrating it into their daily lives and wish to learn how to deal in a healthy way with pain, stress or suffering.

MBCL is based on a secular, scientific vision on the importance of (self-) compassion for our health and wellbeing – physically, emotionally, and relationally.

Sources

What is compassion?

Compassion is the ability to be sensitive to suffering in ourselves and others, and is accompanied by the willingness and courage to do something about it.

Compassion has a transpersonal quality, for it involves the willingness to alleviate and prevent suffering – regardless of who the (potential) sufferer is. So when we speak of compassion, we bear in mind, that it does not exclude anyone. It includes self-compassion as well as compassion for all our fellow beings, for nature and for our planet earth.

Compassion is not about being overinvolved with others at the expense of ourselves. Neither about wallowing in self-pity whilst neglecting others. It is about finding a way to care for ourselves and for others in a balanced way.

Compassion is a human capacity, present in all of us, which did not always have the chance to blossom. Fortunately, the ability to respond compassionately to pain and suffering in ourselves and others can grow with practice, which is precisely what the Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) programme wishes to offer.

Applications have grown

Initially MBCL was developed in mental healthcare and offered to clients with various psychological problems. Soon, the benefits for health care professionals themselves became clear.

Meanwhile, MBCL’s applications have grown, not only in healthcare, but also in education, the workplace, management and spiritual care, wherever people wish to learn ways to alleviate and prevent stress, pain and suffering and lead healthier en happier lives.

Recognized as a Mindfulness-Based Programme (MBP)

In 2022 MBCL celebrated a milestone of recognition as a Mindfulness-Based Programme (MBP) by two leading European Mindfulness Associations: the Britisch Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches (BAMBA), and the Dutch Vereniging Mindfulness Based Trainers Nederland (VMBN).

Both associations unanimously followed the MBP-Taskforce’s approval of MBCL as a ‘normal dose follow-up MBP´ for graduates of MBSR, MBCT or equivalent. ‘Normal dose follow-up MBP´ means, that MBCL is a complete deepening programme following the format of MBSR and MBCT.

In 2023 the European Association for Mindfulness-Based Approaches (EAMBA) followed the track of BAMBA and VMBN and equally acknowledged MBCL as a Mindfulness-Based Programme (MBP), according to internationally accepted criteria.

• Have you noticed that you benefit from mindfulness exercises, but find it difficult to integrate them into your daily life?
• Do insights often stay in your head without becoming part of your life (“I understand, but I don’t feel it”)?
• Do you suffer from persistent patterns of self-criticism, withdrawing or overcharging yourself?
• Do you find it difficult to find a healthy balance between taking care of others and taking care of yourself?
• Do you feel vulnerable or burdened by life circumstances – for example regarding your physical or emotional health, your family, relationships or social situation?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is affirmative, then MBCL can be a valuable gift to yourself.

Moreover, MBCL can be of value to anyone motivated to deepen their mindfulness practice with explicit practices in kindness and compassion contributing to the wellbeing of ourselves, each other and the planet at large.

MBCL welcomes people in all their diversity regardless of their gender or their ethnic, cultural or religious background.