Life Support Book Group: Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg

Welcome to the Life Support Book Group! A space dedicated to the most important connection you will ever have: the one with yourself.

We will meet in the meeting room at the Corinne and Jack Sweet Branch Library in Salt Lake City. The meeting room is toward the back of the library- it’s difficult to miss!

In our next session, we’ll be diving into Chapter 2 of Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s "Nonviolent Communication": Communication That Blocks Compassion.

Dr. Rosenberg suggests that certain communication habits alienate us from our natural compassion, noting that our "analyses of others are actually expressions of our own needs and values." Together, we'll explore "life-alienating" behaviors—such as moralistic judgments, comparisons, the denial of responsibility, and turning desires into demands. We’ll also distinguish between value judgments and moralistic judgments, and reflect on Rumi’s timeless invitation to meet in the field "beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right-doing." But, most essentially, let’s learn from each other’s experiences, grow in self-love and understanding, and have fun!

Life Support Group Mission
We believe that true healing and healthy external relationships begin with internal self-understanding. Our goal is to bridge the gap between psychological theory and daily practice. By exploring the depths of psychology together, we aim to cultivate radical self-love and build a supportive community of friends who are all committed to growing alongside one another.

How We Study
To ensure we truly integrate these novel concepts, we will move with intention. Rather than rushing through a book a month, we meet often to discuss a single chapter. This slow-growth approach allows us to:

• Deepen Understanding: Fully digest complex psychological concepts.
• Practice in Real-Time: Apply the principles we learn and report back.
• Build Connection: Develop lasting friendships through consistent, vulnerable, and meaningful dialogue.

What We Read
Our reading list focuses on authoritative texts in:

• Developmental and Behavioral Psychology
• Compassionate Communication
• Attachment Theory and Relationship Dynamics
• Self-Compassion and Mindfulness
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Shadow Work
• Codependency and Recovery

Whether you're looking to heal, understand your patterns, join a peer to peer support group, or simply discuss life in all its absurdity with other psychology nerds, there’s a seat for you at our table. Let’s learn, lean on each other, and grow—one chapter at a time.