Compassion Meditation
I integrate traditional Buddhist practices with key concepts and techniques from Western Psychology to help people navigate the challenges of daily life & work.
Upcoming Offerings:
Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT), 8 Week Online Course — September 17-November 5, 2025, Wednesdays at 9-11am Pacific Time
CCT is a multifaceted exploration of how connection and kindness might transform human experience. Originally developed at Stanford University in 2009, CCT draws on both contemplative and scientific approaches to the mind and offers techniques and practices for opening the heart and building courage in the face of adversity. Each class includes meditation practices, informal lecture, group discussion, in-class listening, and communication exercises with partners and small groups.
Active Compassion Practice: Tonglen Intensive Course — 2 session online course offered through Compassion Institute, Thursdays April 17 & 24
This 2-session online intensive offers a deep-dive into the active compassion practice of Tonglen. Tonglen is a powerful practice that helps us learn to be present with the suffering in ourselves and others and envision ways to transform that suffering into ease. Our immersion into Tonglen deconstructs the practice and demystifies it, with an eye toward envisioning what is possible when we learn to stay with whatever arises in life. Offered through Compassion Institute.
Dharma Talks at Nyingma Institute
Erika regularly gives dharma talks as part of Nyingma Institute’s free Sunday program. Her talks cover such topics as compassion, mindfulness, common humanity, and emotion. Dr. Rosenberg integrates knowledge from Buddhism, Psychology, and Neuroscience to provide both background and practical advice for daily life. To RSVP for upcoming talks and view recordings of previous ones, click the button below.
Teaching Affiliations
Erika Rosenberg, Ph.D., has been teaching compassion meditation for close to 30 years. Her notable teaching affiliations include the following institutions:
The Compassion Institute
Stanford University Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE)
Nyingma Institute
Esalen
Kripalu
Psychedelic Sangha
Join my mailing list to learn about classes and workshops in the Bay Area and elsewhere, and receive a free audio meditation!
Photo from Stanford University CCARE Research and Experiments on Compassion II Meeting with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, October 10, 2020. Watch the full video of this scientific panel discussion.
“Taking your class is one of the best decisions I've made in my life so far….I have enjoyed being a part of your class and am so grateful for your vulnerability and leadership. Your teaching has given me the tools I was looking for to better help my self and my community…I am empowered to help in ways I didn't think possible before. “
— Mary Ann Martin, Birmingham, AL
“I took the class so I could grow in my self-compassion. I did not expect that it would change the way I interfaced with the world and humanity. This is just the beginning. The words Thank You feel so small. You have personally elevated my purpose in life. The work that you do leaves me in awe.”
— Rose Hayes, Technologist (Retired)
Psychedelic Integration
I lead sessions for integration of psychedelic experiences, in which we work with meditation and other exercises to incorporate the range of states and insights — both pleasant and unpleasant — that can arise from such inner journeys.