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Compassion Cultivation Training©

An 8 week course designed at Stanford University, taught around the world by certified facilitators

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A Proven Program with Global Reach

An 8-week program for the general public, Compassion Cultivation Training© (CCT™) draws on insights and techniques from psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative practice.

The course integrates evidence-based meditation techniques, interactive discussions, and lectures as well as real-world exercises to put learning into practice.

CCT™ is taught worldwide and offers practical skills, tools, and knowledge. As a graduate, you establish the habit of relating to yourself, others, and the world around you from a place of greater understanding, joy, and purpose.

CCT™ was developed in 2009 at Stanford University by principal author Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D, with contributions from our Founding Faculty.

What does CCT look like?

Weekly 2 hour class

including lecture, discussion, and in-class exercises

Daily meditation practices

Real-world assignments

for practicing compassionate thoughts and actions

The 8-Week CCT Journey

Week 1    Settling and focusing the mind

Week 2    Loving-kindness & compassion for a loved one

Week 3    Compassion for oneself

Week 4    Loving-kindness for oneself

Week 5    Embracing shared common humanity and developing appreciation for others

Week 6    Cultivating compassion for others

Week 7    Active compassion practice

Week 8    Integrated daily compassion cultivation practice

What effects can I expect?

While everyone will have their own unique experience, research has shown CCT can lead to:

CCT is taught worldwide.

Can I get continuing education credits?

16 Hours of continuing education may be available to participants of CCT through the joint providership between Compassion Institute and AffinityCE for a variety of health professionals, including: 

CCT courses listed on the CI website will indicate on the course information page if continuing education may be available for participants of that cohort.

Compassion Institute courses providing continuing education to health professionals are offered through our Health program.  You can view upcoming CI Health Sector Public Courses here, including information about continuing education.  For inquiries regarding continuing education for CI Health program courses, email [email protected] prior to registering.

Compassion Institute offers courses through our Law Enforcement and Public Safety program, Courageous Heart: The Human Behind the Badge, that are certified by California’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and provide POST-certified training credits to qualified law enforcement officers and professional staff.  You can view upcoming CI Law Enforcement Courses here. For questions, please contact us at [email protected].

For inquiries regarding continuing education for courses offered directly by Certified CCT Teachers, please reach out to the instructor directly prior to registering. 

Questions about CMEs? Contact us: