Speak Compassionately and Honestly
To Yourself, Those Around You, and the World.

Practice Sessions in Nonviolent Communication
Based on the principles developed by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD.

Next two sessions - Wed. March and 10, 2010 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

What

Practice in understanding and using compassionate speaking and listening when communicating with oneself, family, friends, co-workers, supervisors, organizations, and even governments.

Who

For anyone interested in communicating compassionately.
You do not have to have experience in Dr. Rosenberg's methods to attend. You will learn as you participate.

When

Wednesdays
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Where

Good Shepherd Church Mezzanine Meeting Room
950 Heather Drive
Off Prices Fork Road near Hethwood subdivision (about 2 miles from the VT campus)

Contact

Pat Bevan
patriciabevan@mac.com
540-552-8681

Resources

Center for Nonviolent Communication -- cnvc.org

Sponsor Good Shepherd Church. The practice sessions are secular. They are not religiously or biblically based. You do not have to be a member of Good Shepherd congregation or of any religious congregation to participate. Everyone is welcome.

When we think of violence, we usually think of physical injury, pain, maybe even death. But there is another kind of violence that can have results just as devastating.

This is verbal violence -------- and it is destructive.

Verbal violence is all around us – in print, radio, television, movies and face-to-face interactions. How many of us have read, heard, or spoken in ways that attempt to manipulate, belittle, accuse, blame, shame, or stigmatize.

If you don’t come with me, I’ll know you don’t love me.
You are such an idiot.
You said that just to embarrass me.
It's
all your fault.
You would know the answer if you had any brains whatsoever.
You are just like them – a hopeless delinquent.

How do you feel when someone says something like this to you? How do you think other people feel when you communicate this way to them? Do you feel resentment, hurt, anger, alienation? Do you think other people might feel hurt?

There is another way to connect with each other – communication with compassion and empathy that sees and respects each individual’s humanity and vulnerability.

This is nonviolent communication ---------- and it is peaceful, yet powerful.

And it can be learned. Come join our group to learn and practice a compassionate way to relate. Help make our world, right now, a more peaceful place!

Paintings by
Patricia Bevan
© 2008