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 August will be "Dissolving Enemy Images," some words from Dave about what to expect:

It is so easy when we are in conflict to see the other person as a source of irrationality. "They're just crazy" we can find ourselves saying or "He just hates me" or "She only cares about getting what she wants." And in the midst of a conflict where we are not making a connection with the other person, it sure seems like they are acting in ways that are crazy, hateful or selfish!

But this appearance is deceiving. When we are in conflict our minds can play tricks on us and we start to see the other person as an enemy or as someone who needs to be made to go away. When we step back and consider the feelings and needs of the other person, we can begin to see the situation in a new way.

This coming Saturday we will practice a process from NVC trainer Francois Beausoliel called Dissolving Enemy Images. I have found this practice helpful in my daily life as a way to see the humanity in people who sometimes drive me crazy, and then also to see myself with more compassion when I am the one who is the source of frustration for someone else.

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