Finding + Nurturing Self-Compassion with Maria Paula Jimenez

Meditation + Talk: Finding and Nurturing Your Compassionate Voice

April 12, 2025

So many of us have a loud inner critic, struggle to feel worthy, and find it hard to be kind to ourselves, especially in moments of pain. This heartfelt and practical talk with guest teacher Maria Paula Jimenez explores how self-compassion can become a powerful antidote to self-judgment, shame, and the feeling of being alone in our struggles.

Drawing from the science of compassion and the influential models of Kristin Neff and Paul Gilbert, Maria Paula shares simple but transformative tools to speak to yourself with kindness, soothe your nervous system, and become your own safe harbor. You’ll learn how to shift from harshness to inner support and how even one self-compassionate letter can bring lasting change.

Click here to join the free Wednesday Meditations – which are open to everyone!

A Meditation on Coming Home to Yourself with Self-Compassion

Download the Audio of this Meditation

A Talk on Finding and Nurturing Your Compassionate Voice

Download the Talk: Audio | Transcript

Maria Paula Jimenez is a contemplative trainer, compassion coach, and certified psychologist with over a decade of experience in teaching and training programs focused on mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional balance. She currently serves as Head of Training at the Global Compassion Coalition (GCC) and Director of the Compassion Corps Grants Initiative. Maria Paula is also a Senior Teacher, Teacher Trainer, and Content Lead for the Compassion Cultivation Program (CCT) at the Compassion Institute, developed at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University. In addition to her work with CCT and GCC, Maria Paula is a certified instructor of the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program developed by Chris Germer and Kristin Neff, as well as the Self-Compassion for Shame program created by Chris Germer. She is also a certified teacher and teacher trainer of the Mindfulness-Based Emotional Balance (MBEB) program, developed by Margaret Cullen. As a therapist, organizational consultant, and lecturer, Maria Paula advises individuals and groups on topics related to well-being, change, contemplative practices, mindfulness, compassion, self-compassion, and purpose. Her impactful work extends across various countries and sectors, having partnered with organizations like Google, US Military Spouses, Adidas, and University of Miami.

These teachings are offered freely, at no charge.

And if you like, you may wish to participate in the age-old tradition of generosity through making an offering yourself – called “dāna” – to support Rick and the Wednesday Meditations. Generosity itself is a beautiful practice that opens and gladdens the heart, relaxes the contraction of “self,” and ripples out into the world to touch many people – and perhaps, eventually, even oneself.