OAKHURST – Bodhi Oak Zen Sangha is delighted to offer the foothill community a three-day workshop entitled “Compassionate Communication – A Language of Life,” based on the practice of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) developed by Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D.
NVC is widely used and known internationally as a model of speaking and listening from the heart, a conflict resolution tool, a guide for personal development, and for many – a spiritual practice. It is taught in over 45 countries by over 500 certified trainers and hundreds of practitioners.
This 3-day training delves into the principles and practical skill sets of NVC that make this language so powerful within ourselves and in connecting with others.
The purpose of Nonviolent Communication is to speak and listen in a manner that creates authentic connection between people, and reduces defensiveness, blame, and subtle demands. The practice of NVC involves listening past the other person’s criticism or judgments to hear the needs they are trying to meet.
“NVC guides us to our habits of mind and speech that create distance, misunderstanding, and stress; and supports us to express our needs in ways we are more likely to be heard and understood by others,” says organizers. “At the heart of NVC is a belief that all human beings have capacity for compassion and empathy. We resort to violence or behavior harmful to others when we do not recognize more effective strategies for meeting our needs.”
“This is a time in our society when we have forgotten how to communicate kindly with people who disagree with us,” says Mary-Allen Macneil, teacher at Bodhi Oak Zen Center. “I heard about nonviolent communication and wanted to learn it, and I thought that instead of going out of town for it, why don’t we do it right here in Oakhurst?”
Two internationally certified NVC trainers from NVC Santa Cruz (nvcsantacruz.org) will present an experiential workshop for participants to learn this powerful system by increasing awareness and integrating new skills to augment our natural wisdom and compassion.
Jean Morrison, MA, has been providing trainings, consultation, and mediation for groups and organizations in the areas of health, education, business, and restorative justice since 1985, and with individuals, couples, and families who want more satisfying relationships and harmonious interactions.
Kristin Masters is a facilitator, mediator and coach with NVC Santa Cruz. Kristin focuses on social change/justice, inner work and the intersection of NVC with Interpersonal /neurobiology. She values teaching NVC applications to personal and systemic challenges with engagement and creativity.
The workshop will be held at the Oakhurst Branch Library, 49044 Civic Circle, Oakhurst on Thursday, Apr. 25 through Saturday, Apr. 27. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The tuition is $200 and includes a vegetarian lunch all three days. ($50 deposit secures your place).
Please register online here or by printing the registration form and sending your check to Bodhi Oak Zen Sangha, 40879 CA-41, Suite 1-I, Oakhurst, CA 93644.
For further information call 559 642-7470.
