There’s a Buddhist belief that a genuinely loving relationship is the practice for which all other practices are preparation. It’s likely that you already know how much we all need healthy, well-connected relationships to thrive…but also that relationships can be really challenging.

Compassion for Couples is a wonderful opportunity for you and your partner to build a strong and healthy foundation for your relationship and develop the skills to help navigate the difficulties that arise within us and between us. Compassion can help us hold ourselves and others with kindness, even in the midst of difficulty. And that creates the resilience we need for our relationships to thrive.

What to Expect

This program allows couples to focus on themselves, each other and their relationship in a deep and relaxed way surrounded by the beauty of the Colorado mountains.  We will practice skill-building through a combination of meditation, experiential exercises, didactic learning, and discussion. You’ll spend time cultivating compassion with your partner, and you’ll also have time to share what you are learning in the supportive community of other couples learning alongside you. You may be surprised to find you are not alone and you’ll likely be inspired by this community. Michelle and Steve, experts in compassion training in the context of relationships, will be with you every step of the way supporting you as you learn to deepen the foundation of kindness and compassion in your relationship so that what once divided you can actually bring you closer.

With compassion at the core of our relationships, we can risk being vulnerable with each other.  After all, we need to be seen and accepted for who we truly are for connection and intimacy to flourish.  Find your way back to each other or safeguard the connection you already have by joining us for Compassion for Couples.

All committed couples are welcome to this program. You and your partner do not need any prior experience with compassion programs or meditation to benefit from this course. Modifications and suggestions will be offered to support unique levels of experience and needs.

Recommended Readings

The following readings are optional and recommended:

• Compassion for Couples: Building the Skills of Loving Connection by Michelle Becker
• The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer
• Self-Compassion for Dummies by Dr. Steven Hickman

Participant Background Information Survey

Upon completion of registration for this program, participants will receive a link to a Compassion for Couples Background Information survey. The purpose of this survey is to help the teachers assess if Compassion for Couples will be helpful for each participant and to support participants during the program. This survey information will only be read by the course instructors.

Tentative Schedule

Friday, September 20th

• 2:00–5:00pm Registration and settle in
• 7:30-9:00pm Program Session

Saturday, September 21st

• 9:00-12:15pm Program Session
• 3:00-6:00pm Program Session

Sunday, September 22nd

• 9:00-12:00pm Program Session
• 1:30-3:30pm Program Session

Extend Your Stay

This program ends at 3:30pm on Sunday. If you’d like to extend your stay and book extra lodging, select “add extra night- 25% off” in the upper right-hand corner of the accommodations section of the registration page.

Interested in strengthening your self-compassion skills?

Consider joining the 5-Day Mindful Self-Compassion program immediately preceding this couples program. Attendance at the 5-Day Intensive is not a requirement to attend this Compassion for Couples program, but can help to set the foundation of self-compassion before exploring bringing compassion into your relationship.

Testimonials:

“This workshop is a must for any couple. It brought me and my partner much closer together and helped us discuss and process issues that we have been struggling with. Thank you for an unforgettable experience.”

“I was quite skeptical that we would achieve anything major in this program. I went with my wife only because she wanted me to go. But something very deep happened. Something shifted inside me during the workshop. I am really grateful for that.”