Free Seminar: Compassionate Communication Introduction/Practi­ce Gathering

FRANK (BIG KAHUNA) THE ADMIN: This class from when it has been posted before this has gotten major praise from our members, it's worth doing.

Free Seminar: Compassionate Communication Introduction/Practi­­ce Gathering Please join us as we learn about and practice Compassionate Communication (also known as Non-Violent Communication or NVC) skills in a safe, nonjudgmental and open environment. Compassionate Communication is a communication process that allows individuals to connect by understanding feelings and unmet needs that underlie behavior. The emphasis in this approach is on empathy and connection through compassion; the method to learn the skills involves concrete activities and practice.

Our theme for December will be “The Importance of Sadness and Grief” Some words from Dave about what to expect:

With the holidays approaching excitement and energy for some, stress and tension for others and for still others a sense of sadness or disappointment. On our journey towards becoming more compassionate one of the things that is vital is that we learn to accept, even welcome, the full range of human emotion. Sadness in particular is the emotion I'd like to focus on this time. It can seem overwhelming to really let ourselves be sad, like the grief or crying just won't stop because the world's pain won't stop. Sadness can also seem slow and unproductive-- like we won't get anything done if we just keep moping around. It can seem like our only real option when we feel sad is to just pick ourselves up and keep going.

I'm not entirely dismissing the benefit of perseverance in sadness, but I think we miss something vital when we fail to listen to our sadness. When we feel sad, there is a particular human need underneath that feeling. Perhaps friendship or growth or productivity. We can learn to see our sadness as a kind of voice reminding us of the important needs we have that we may otherwise forget in the rush of life.

Sadness also has this quality to it that seems to draw out the human capacity for compassion. We instinctively want to care for someone who shows the outward signs of sadness. When we have the courage to show moments of sadness in a way that is authentic and genuine, not forced or manipulative, we give others the chance to access their capacity for compassion and care.

Whatever you may be feeling this holiday season, come join us on Saturday December 1st from 1-3pm and we will work on listening to our own sadness and uncovering the beautiful human needs beneath.

This is a free gathering that meets every 1st Saturday of the month from 1-3 p.m. at the Homewood library, Meeting Room 1 or 2. No prior experience with NVC is required.

This event is an effort of Compassionate Pittsburgh, whose mission is to grow a community of individuals practicing NVC in order to improve our city. The leader(s) for this event will be Dave Carlton and/or Karen Sloan.

Please join us! If not this Saturday, then one in the near future!

For further information:
https://compassionatepittsburgh.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonviolent_Communication