I have become more productive and procrastinate less. I feel less anxious and more focused. Things seem so much more colorful, vivid, interesting, and enjoyable. I have felt freer to do what I want to do, in life and in the moment… Both intellectually and on an intuitive level, I’ve learned some of the benefits of being compassionate to others and to myself, such as being able to face difficulties more calmly, enjoying things more, appreciating people more, and creative a positive feeling in other people, whether I know them or not.

Terrific class and teaching. I’ve studied with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jack Kornfield, the Insight teachers and others – but the way Elizabeth teaches helps access the information as if by osmosis.

I learned that happiness is a spiritual practice, and to see myself and others through a lens of strength and appreciation.

This Happiness Sangha class with Elizabeth has instilled in me a discipline of meditating once if not twice a day. This class got me through one of the more difficult periods of my life, and I am forever grateful for it. The peace I feel now is testament to the power of Elizabeth's teaching and to the various practices the class incorporated. I feel I have access to an inner strength I suspected was within, but not sure on how to access. Thank you.

Life-changing and life-affirming. My relationships have improved and I highly recommend the Happiness Sangha classes.

It felt wonderful and peaceful and filled me with warmth.

Thanks again for Practices for letting go of Difficult Exes; I surprisingly feel much lighter and free compared to before I attended the classes. I can accept that it's over and still wish my Ex well. Right now I feel a surge of positive energy feeling my body and mind; I believe my energy has come back to me, rightfully so.

This compassion class gives such connection to the whole world and gratefulness for being alive, in this moment...In the Inner Critic class I learned that it's possible to look at inner critic with kindness and I can do it over and over again. Class was structured, relevant, plenty of material to explore, follow up emails and homeworks, all so beneficial.

Dear Elizabeth, Thank you for the luminous information on self-compassion. My brain feels so relaxed. I wrap my heart around yours.

In the last two months, thanks to this class, the way I engage with the world has become more positive and easeful.

I learned that everyone has fears and challenges just like me. The class opened my heart more and I have less judgment. After taking this class, I finally feel that I can offer compassion to myself.

Firstly, I would like to thank you so much for the important work you are doing. The class we had yesterday was life-changing for me. After the meditation, I felt lighter and excited of what's to come in my life. Thank you so much for the teachings and meditations!

Taking the course allowed me to be more aware of my objectives, understand what really makes me feel well, and learn to better deal with suffering. More than that, the course taught me to perceive my every day experiences in a new way. I am now more objective in judging life events and less anxious and distressed in receiving them. Learning and applying the material of the course has also led to more rewarding interpersonal relationships and a deeper sense of connecting with any person I meet.

This class transformed how I look at relationships with others and my relationship to myself. By being kind to myself, I am able to be kinder to others.

This proved to be the most transformative class I have ever taken. Overall, I feel more harmonious with myself and others. The assignments we do each day have had a ripple effect on my entire experience of being. I feel much closer to my coworkers, strangers on the street, and even to those dear to me that I was taking for granted.

I’ve learned that the same compassion that I have for others, I can turn inward on myself to great effects. Over the last couple of months, I’ve been kinder to myself. I’ve feared that this might make me less productive, but there doesn’t seem to be any evidence of that. In fact, I’ve been more productive.

During this course I've become much more 'tranquil' in dealing with others.. friends constantly comment on my patience. My patience with others has grown greatly.

I just listened to your Valentine's meditation this morning and it was very beautiful and healing for me and very releasing in a good way. You are the master of compassion. Have a beautiful day. Thank you so much.

I have taken this class with Elizabeth many times, and it's amazing each time. What shifted for me this time in particular was my ability to be more compassionate to myself. Compassion class is a gift. It has changed the quality of my life.

You were amazing. I only wish the presentation was on YouTube so I could watch it again. The 4-7-8 breathing has been especially helpful ... You have a gift. Your presentation was both calming and engaging. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.

I took Compassion Class with Elizabeth for the first time a few years ago, and I have kept up a daily practice ever since. This is my second time taking this class. This time my low-level anxiety shifted to a calm knowing and trust in what is.

I love all the stories and poems and scientific readings. I think the class is wonderful and a gift! Thank you.

I learned that self-compassion serves yourself, others and the world.

Incredible class: uniting with humanity opens my heart to all. I feel a shift in my awareness of compassion—it is daily now. It is intentional and alive. My feelings towards others have shifted—I appreciate the common humanity and human condition in a visceral way.

I have become less demanding with myself and others, and more flexible and open to other's experiences and needs. I have become more conscious that everyone is suffering. I have become more compassionate.

In this Happiness Sangha class I learned that compassion is a non-stress response to suffering! And from the sessions of this class I have started to realize that myself compassion was missing self-soothing, and self-tenderness before going into action mode to fix. My fear of not solving the problem fast was getting the best of me. Now I picture someone just holding my hand and soothing me.

In this class I realized that the mind can only deal with so much, while the heart can hold everything.

What shifted is how I think, feel, and act towards myself. I am gentler and kinder towards myself; I am less judgmental and harsh. There's less guilt. I feel calmer and more able to handle challenges without negativity or stress reactions taking over, despite things 'being stressful'. This is a huge shift.

I always feel more grounded and more compassionate towards myself and others when practicing with Elizabeth. Thank you.

In this class, I learned that just like me, all beings have experienced a thousand joys and a thousand sorrows. Just like me, all beings wish to be free from suffering. Now I feel that I'm not alone in my joys and sorrows.

The class has been deeply transformative. The most compelling aspect of this course has been the scientific framework and explanations. After compassion training, I find that I’m more engaged with the world and respond to the world and myself in a more loving way.

Thanks to this Happiness Sangha class on the Inner Critic, I am much more aware that I can contribute to my happiness and ease by taking the inner critic out of the equation. As a first timer in this class, this content ALL feels brand new. I find myself wondering how I've never encountered it before and wanting all humans to have access it! I love the balance between disciplines (religion, poetry, science, etc). Elizabeth you are knowledgeable and wise and find a way to make this class so accessible.

I appreciated how Elizabeth helped participants reframe their inner critic/dialogue, e.g. rather than thinking I need to exercise because I am out of shape, it could be I want to exercise so I can stay healthy and do the things I want to do in life. This type of reframing helps to generate more positive and compassionate emotions and stances rather than always living in the negativity bias.

I appreciate the calming, supportive, encouraging manner in which Elizabeth delivered her presentation. Not only was Elizabeth talking about self-compassion, but she was talking about it compassionately! She made me feel like incorporating self-compassion into my daily thinking (or, at least, moving in that direction) is something that I am capable of accomplishing.

Lovely to be there. It was intriguing, curious, wonderful.

After taking the Happiness Sangha inner critic class, the grip is loosened of most criticism.

I was very engaged with the topic and the speaker's amazing background ... Her focus on such an important aspect of life that affects all human beings; the deep nature of the self-critic issue, as well as the self-compassion solution, using meditation and affirmative statements as daily practice tools ... was truly engaging.

In this class I noticed that being kind to myself spills over onto all other beings, without special additional effort.

After taking Happiness Sangha classes, I've become a lot calmer and genuinely happier. My mood has stabilized and don't experience ups and downs as much as I used to. My family noticed positive changes too. I am more fun to be around now. I am honestly quite shocked at the changes.

The most important thing I learned in this class is that my thoughts are just my thoughts. Not who I am. Elizabeth's tone, energy, vibe is so calming. And the fact she brings in so many different pieces of information. From psychology and religion. Such a well rounded course.

Thanks to Happiness Sangha programs I have become more spacious. I have more appreciation and acceptance of the challenges, difficulties and difficult people. Much more consistency in meditation. I'm missing it the days I have not done it, and cherishing these precious self-care moments.

Honestly, I enjoyed the entirety of the program. I enjoyed the meditations and the breathing tools to help one begin a shift in their mindset ... It is refreshing to have acknowledgement of how stressful the practice of law can be coupled with the every day stresses of life/world.

Thanks to the Happiness Sangha Inner Critic class, Thanks to this class, I'm finding more acceptance of myself in each moment. I always enjoy how Elizabeth references a variety of people, whether they are scientists, musicians, poets, religious figures, or others. This gives me a glimpse of reality when light is shined on it from many different directions.

Thanks to the Happiness Sangha Inner Critic Class, I am more far more aware of the inner critic - both toward myself and others. I don't know that I've been able to let go of anything in particular. But the fact that I feel less of a constant knot inside my stomach leads me to believe I've made enough progress to help me continue with meditating daily. The meditations were my favorite parts by far. I really enjoy the way you lead them!

Since taking Happiness Sangha classes, the relationship with my daughter is making great leaps and bounds. I found that if I listen without judgment (surprise), put all of my things down and talk from my heart, everything gets off to a great start. We all (the mediation buddies) agreed that the inner critic was one that would be with us long after the course is over.

I cherish and value myself so much more now that I've taken the Happiness Sangha Inner Critic class and developed an awareness of my Mara. I like that actual scientific data was involved amongst reading material given as our homework. Surprisingly, I found it delightful to interact in groups AND with my group buddies! It was so much fun and just a great opportunity to meet amazing people here in this class. This class brought so much positivity, smiles, and happiness into my life. Truly an amazing experience Elizabeth.

I loved everything about this class and am so grateful that any resistance, hesitation I had to taking it I overcame.

This class is a perfect continuation of the eight-week compassion training, which I'm finding really set the foundation for the work we're doing now. The Happiness Sangha classes all build on each other. I've experienced a shift. I am meditating daily and am almost craving that time to soak in the stillness and allow myself the simple luxury of peaceful presence. Thanks for being such a knowledgeable, gentle and kind guide on this incredible journey. I always considered myself a deep, loving, introspective and self-aware person. But this is showing me an inside world I didn't know was there.

I love the integration of readings, learning, and meditation. It gives every act more substance and wholeness. I love the dimensionality of the class in this way!

Thank you, Elizabeth, for teaching these classes out of your busy schedule and answering my questions. These classes are helpful in ways that are hard to articulate, and the people I've met in the class inspired me in many ways. Awareness of self-criticism and living in harmony with it help make our lives easier, and I believe can help us make better relationships and friendships.

In this class I'm moving and learning from a place of joy and curiosity.

It was heaven.

I loved the Happiness Sangha Freedom from the Inner Critic Class. I felt the connection to all of humanity at a deeper level knowing that the struggle with Mara is as old as time and that everyone is living the same internal battle. I've been working on my inner-dialogue and self-care throughout the Covid-induced time of introspection and I find that the dynamic that Mara and I have is somewhat like family members with differing views on life and politics. When she reminds me of flaws or mistakes, I remind her that I am human and that she is entitled to her opinion. Sometimes I just say, 'thank you for pointing out the opportunity to learn Mara.' She has been showing up less and less the more I accept her.

What changed for me in the Freedom from the Inner Critic Class was approaching the critical voice with curious listening, compassion and BOUNDARIES.

Just wanted to drop a quick thank you note for the super helpful session. You really shed light on something I've been poking around for a while but never seemed to get anywhere with.

Your presentation on Freedom from the Inner Critic today was truly amazing. Your insightful presentation and invaluable resources can make a huge impact in my life and bring much-needed peace. Once again, thank you for the enlightening presentation and for offering to share your self-compassion meditation resources.

I really get a lot of fulfillment out of being an attorney because I get to help people and be their advocate. In the Freedom from the Inner Critic session, I was deeply moved when you analogized self-compassion as the "advocate" on my side; the one who always tries to paint me in the best light and the one who always has my best interests in mind. I said to myself, "If I can do this day in and day out for my clients, why can't I do it for myself?" It's a powerful motivator to be kind to yourself and not constantly judge. My wife has always noticed that I "beat myself up" constantly... Over the years, I've tried a lot of solutions to stop these intrusive and destructive negative thoughts, but so far, I've gotten the quickest, most effective relief from your program and your texts! Thank you so much for everything. I look forward to your next installment.

I wanted to thank you for your presentation to the Financial Women’s Association on Freedom from Your Inner Critic on Monday evening. Your advice was very valuable and the audience came away with many tools and techniques to practice self-compassion and shift the intention to be more positive and foster long-term well-being.

The feedback was astounding! Someone said to me “I can barely sit for a zoom event for 10 mins and she got me hooked for a whole hour!” Your advice was very valuable and the audience came away with many tools and techniques to practice self-compassion and shift the intention to be more positive and foster long-term well-being.

This was an excellent session! Thank you Elizabeth for integrating the wisdom you've learned from such diverse disciplines such as mindfulness, neuroscience, emotional intelligence, guided visualization and self-compassion. I took away several specific techniques that will help me on my organizational journeys!

Your topic was very timely for us: freedom from your inner critic and the value of self-compassion. We all appreciated your wisdom and expertise but also your wonderful style and manner of delivery. We are very gracious, and we appreciate the amount of time you shared with us.

At first I thought I would watch [the Welcome to Freedom from the Inner Critic video] in segments, but the content flow and emotional vibe you created suggested I'd be better off going start to finish without interruption. Found out later in the video that I was telling my task master (my inner critic has several names) in real time to step back and allow me to grow.

One key aspect that resonated deeply was the realization that self-compassion is not a sign of weakness but a source of strength. By acknowledging our imperfections and treating ourselves with the same kindness we readily extend to others, we unlock a reservoir of inner strength. The training session was not just about silencing the inner critic; it was about transforming it into a supportive and nurturing voice. As I left the session, I carried with me a newfound understanding of the science behind a happier and more confident self. The A-ha moment was not a fleeting revelation but a compass guiding me towards a path of continuous self-improvement and self-love. Armed with the knowledge gained, I am now more equipped to navigate life's challenges with a gentler, more compassionate mindset. It was a catalyst for personal growth and transformation.

I just watched the recording and this was an incredible presentation. If you have not seen this it is well worth your time. Thank you for presenting to our group. It is very much appreciated.

My takeaways: the guilt-tripper has worked really hard on me during certain cycles in my life, sucking my energy. Whew — feels good to name it and allow myself to become more aware of it when it arises. Also, the meditation at the end with the 3 loved ones — so powerful. "I honor your path." "I honor your individual choices." "I was not born to judge you."

I appreciate how you approach the issue from all angles, including scientific and spiritual. The image of Siddhartha repelling Mara’s negativity with lotus flowers was a good one! Thank you for devoting your extensive education and career to improving the lives of others! I’ve asked our firm’s business manager to check with our insurance broker about the availability of funds for wellness training, since it would be wonderful to have you come and present to our team.

The Happiness Sangha Energy class is opening my eyes on how much I try to control. I learned that I want to make everybody happy and that takes a lot out of me.

I just completed the class yesterday and loved it so much! The energy awareness you are imparting is so life changing! In reflecting, I was able to visualize all of the people, places and things that are taking and or giving me energy, and this awareness is very enlightening! Especially within myself! I am going to keep meditating everyday and even look to increase it because it is helping me to become more aware of everything, I really appreciate you and your teachings more and more every day! You are making a huge impact on my life (and no doubt on so many others!) and I cannot thank you enough. I am excited about it all!! :)

Elizabeth’s classes are a consistent flow of nuggets of truth.

The Happiness Sangha Energy class has given me so much to reflect on and really changed my perspective and on why I feel chronically tired and different areas that contribute to that, and the different ways to change it. The most important thing I learned are the links between energy, creativity, talent, and happiness.

This much-needed class really provided clarity on the things in my life that were draining.

What is the main reason I take meditation classes with Elizabeth? I enjoy Elizabeth's breadth of knowledge and how she can relate seemingly random topics back to the subject. I feel empowered, energized, calm and healthy.

After the Happiness Sangha Energy class, I'm still thinking about how fatigue is a teacher— teaching me that I might be scared or that a task may not matter to me. This class has been motivating— helping me tap into/explore how I can enhance energy, kindness, love, passion, vibrancy, joy so that I can be of service to life/loved ones and other beings… I love Elizabeth's knowledge of poetry, literature, Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, various forms of religions and spirituality. I tend to be in awe of her genius. Learn so much from her!

This class has made me see energy in a whole new way—as something that I am in control of, not as something that happens to me. I learned that what others think of me is not in my control. Not accepting this will destroy my energy.

I am so grateful for your work. It is so healing to meditate with resilience.... I thank you every day…. My meditation became deeper. Now I can be with myself, happy or sad.

This is making me want to leave the class and take on the world.

I can’t tell you how many times I have taken these classes and trainings, and yet, you have done it differently! I realized that one of the things you do is really speak from within. It never feels like you are reading words from a manual that you don’t try to live by yourself or understand. I am very grateful.

I have studied resilience and particularly compassion-based resilience before and my hope that this class would provide another angle and perspective has been fulfilled, as I expected as you have so much wisdom to share. The way you energize - you are a source of energy.

Thank you for the beautiful space that you created Elizabeth, and being able to share it in communion with so many others.

Loved everything about the class! You are such a gifted teacher - every word has a lot of thought and life experience behind it. And pure intentions - it is clear that your biggest concern is helping your students. The material itself was top notch and very relevant to my life right now. It gave me things to work on right away. It feels like this material has the potential to totally change my relationship with my son. We'll see how it works out long term, but I felt it made an immediate, profound difference, and I hope to be able to keep it up.

Love Elizabeth’s gentle, calm voice in meditations. In Resilience class, I have released myself from so much old pain and pictures of what was.

Love Elizabeth’s gentle, calm voice in meditations. In Resilience class, I have released myself from so much old pain and pictures of what was.

In the Happiness Sangha Resilience class, I deepened my meditation practice and found ways to integrate it throughout the day, to live more peacefully and more in tune with the world around me, instead of resisting things. I enjoyed the informal homework, which was a very helpful bridge between formal meditation practice and real life, and helped me take the same peace that I feel during seated meditation in my everyday.

In the Resilience Program, I deepened my meditation practice and found ways to integrate it throughout the day, to live more peacefully and more in tune with the world around me, instead of resisting things. I enjoyed the informal homework, which was a very helpful bridge between formal meditation practice and real life, and helped me take the same peace that I feel during seated meditation in my everyday.

I loved the volume of rich material in Resilience class, which I will continue to process. The overarching insights were an inspiration. Elizabeth’s preparation, warmth and attentiveness to her students made the experience a delight as well. Thank you! I feel more conscious of the flow of existence and better able to engage in the world with peace and ease. The final teaching was especially powerful.

The Resilience class was life-affirming and transformative! This wisdom is so good for my nervous system. Thanks Elizabeth!

I think what shifted for me in the Happiness Sangha Resilience class is becoming more open and accepting my infinite self. Thank you for having me as your student, Elizabeth. I’m forever grateful for you as a mentor, teacher, who instills so much wisdom and kindness to me and your students. After this class, I’m happy and excited to be on a journey to awaken my infinite possibilities with an open heart, mind, and much gratitude. Look forward to learning more about the spiritual teachings, and getting to know myself better.

I think what shifted for me in Resilience class is becoming more open and accepting my infinite self. Thank you for having me as your student, Elizabeth. I’m forever grateful for you as a mentor, teacher, who instills so much wisdom and kindness. After this class, I’m happy and excited to be on a journey to awaken my infinite possibilities with an open heart, mind, and much gratitude. Look forward to continuing and getting to know myself better.

Having taken the Happiness Sangha Resilience class, I feel more centered, confident and strong.

I find your teachings so profound and inspiring and you do a wonderful job relating these concepts with ease and kindness.

Thanks to Resilience Class, I’ve started meditating again.

In my continual combination of meditation practice which allows me to pay more attention, be more present and surrender to what is in front of me...has resulted in an amazing woman coming into my life. ... Luck has shined upon me for sure, but it was all of the work I have been doing with you that allowed this to happen. Thank you.

Having taken Resilience class, I feel more open.

With this class, I found another path to acceptance of myself and others and the universe.

Thank you for the extraordinary density and range of insight, taken from so many traditions and individuals.

Love meditations & the sense of community in Resilience class.

I am more in touch with myself, my self-compassion is stronger. I am more connected with my challenges rather than disconnected. The class is revelatory and reinforcing.

What a great thing to do midweek! One thing I noticed toward the end of the meditation was a feeling of warmth and stronger connection. What a gift that is! Hope you have a great day and week!

Thank you, Elizabeth. That was a beautiful half hour, during which everything felt ok.

Your meditations have lifted a heavy emotional weight off my shoulders for that I am appreciative and grateful. You provide enough positive energy for the week. You help me keep things in proper perspective. Thank you and see you next Wednesday.

So good to be at the Wednesday night compassion meditations. In the last two days, my shoulders were aching. By the end of the first meditation, I was a puddle of mindfulness and goodness. Thank you!!

I just wanted to say what a truly wonderful meditation it was today. I felt a jolt of sadness in my heart when I heard that we will be taking a break! I do hope you will be bringing it back mid-May. With each session I feel a deepening of the mind and it has become a warm, loving anchor in my weekly life. It is a nourishment that my body, soul and heart have come to rely on. My body, heart, and nervous system bow to you in gratitude.

Thank you Elizabeth. I enjoyed the 8 weeks of compassion meditations and feel like I am facing Spring with an open heart. Our paths having crossed at this time of my life was not random... so grateful that we did. Namaste.

The session was like a warm bath of light… so brilliant yet soft at the same time. Thank you!

Thank you for doing this for us, Elizabeth! I feel so much support and just kind, warm thoughts all around me. You always give me that necessary boost and I so look forward to it!

I am grateful for the concepts I have been learning from you, which have been profoundly helpful and transformative. Here is a small fraction of the many great take-aways from your Wise, Beautiful Speech class: I love the idea that my speech and tone is capable of bringing calm and love into the world, and can express care and belonging to all beings. I needed to hear what you said about seeing strength in others and noticing the role of my ego, especially because I don't see that. I love the idea of giving the universe the gift of my good mood, and I can already see how that changes everything in a beautiful way.