Nonviolent Communication Part 4: Shame, Conflict And Protecting Life

‘Nonviolent Communication’ is the intention of seeing humanity in each other. Immerse yourself in the techniques and consciousness of connecting deeper within, and to others, with the mindful communication approach called ‘Nonviolent Communication’ (NVC). In course 4, we will look at the ubiquitous dynamics of shame, clashing compassionately, and the 'protective use of force'. I call NVC 'mindful communication', because this approach offers a conscious and helpful way of relating to our thoughts, feelings, and needs in a way that creates both meta-awareness and Metta--as in loving kindness, for yourself and others. NVC, at the surface, is a range of conversational techniques that are an expression of its deeper being: a compassionate nondual quality of awareness. In these courses, you will get to taste this awareness and see it in action in several domains such as listening, dealing with anger, and enemy images, judgment-free relating, and much more. You'll get to practice the clarity that discerns strategies from needs, thoughts from feelings, demands from requests, and observations from interpretations. And you'll see how this clarity can untangle and help dissolve our habitual split-second reactivities. Some notes: - For beginners, I recommend that you use the internet and search for an 'NVC feelings and needs list'. That will help you with some emotional and needs vocabulary, also be useful for some of the exercises. - This course is part of a series of 6 courses on NVC, that can either be taken separately or in conjunction, although of course taking all 6 courses will give you a more complete picture of the material. - The ‘totality’ of NVC is a rich and living bouquet of ever-evolving practices, topics, and insights, and these courses are not meant to convey that totality (nor could they); rather, I share here my deepest insights, coolest learnings, and most useful practical tips. I dearly hope you find benefit in it and enjoy the course(s)! image: Getty