Cultivating Compassion from the inside out.
Resources & Meditations
Whether you have five minutes or an hour, these guided meditations and contemplative resources are here to help you pause, reconnect, and cultivate compassion in everyday life.
There is no right way to begin. Simply choose a practice that speaks to you today.
Free practices to meet you wherever you are.
Guided Meditations
Guided meditations can help us settle the body, calm the mind, and reconnect with our innate capacity for compassion. These practices are freely available on the Ripples of Compassion YouTube channel.
🩵 Affectionate Breathing
A foundational Mindful Self-Compassion practice that uses the breath as a gentle anchor, helping you settle your body, soothe your nervous system, and connect with yourself in a kind and caring way.
A brief yet powerful practice for moments of stress or emotional difficulty. Learn to respond to yourself with mindfulness, common humanity, and kindness when you need it most.
🩵 Self-Compassion Break
🩵 Loving-Kindness for Ourselves
This guided meditation invites you to offer yourself the same warmth, care, and encouragement you would naturally extend to someone you love, cultivating compassion from the inside out.
Contemplative Practices
A growing collection of contemplative practices will be posted here over time.
Here are a few to watch out for:
- Artful Reflection
- Breath Prayers
- Mindful Savoring
- Journaling Invitations
- Nature Practices
Books We Love
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself
Kristen Neff
The book that introduced millions of readers to self-compassion, offering practical wisdom and research to help us respond to ourselves with greater kindness, especially in life's most difficult moments.
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion
Christopher Germer
A thoughtful guide to practicing self-compassion through mindfulness, offering practical exercises and heartfelt encouragement for meeting life's challenges with greater wisdom and care.
Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook
Kristin Neff & Christopher Germer
A practical companion filled with exercises and reflections for cultivating self-compassion in everyday life.
Fierce Self-Compassion
Kristin Neff
An invitation to discover that self-compassion is not only tender, but also courageous. Kristin Neff explores how fierce self-compassion helps us set healthy boundaries, speak up for ourselves, and take compassionate action in the world.
Want to learn more about Mindful Self-Compassion?
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an evidence-based program developed by Dr. Kristin Neff and
Dr. Christopher Germer and stewarded by the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC).
Ripples of Compassion is honored to offer their internationally recognized programs, taught by teachers trained by the CMSC.
To learn more about MSC and its research, visit the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
Looking for more?
If you'd like to practice in community rather than on your own, we'd love to welcome you to a course or retreat.