NVC Foundations One
“Never again will you believe that a person is too hard to work with, a decision too complicated to make, or a conversation too difficult to have.” —S. McCormick
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is essential if you are interested in:
* Communicating clearly and effectively
* Building stronger relationships with others (and with yourself!)
* Initiating and navigating even difficult conversations
This will be a 5-week series, the first of two parts. Through a combination of engaging group discussions and practice time, you gain an understanding of the basic principles of NVC. These skills are useful at work, at school, with your family, in line at the grocery store, and anywhere else that you interact with people!
TO ARRANGE CLASSES: Meganwind loves offering these classes. When you have a group of 6-12 people who can meet at a particular day of the week and time, call Meganwind Eoyang at 707-775-7178 with the start date of class, your name, phone/s, and email. You can register and pay the $400 tuition per person for this series with her by phone.
If you’re completely new to NVC you may want to start reading Marshall Rosenberg’s book, Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life, before the class begins.
MEETING ON LINE: This class will meet over the internet via Zoom technology. You can download free Zoom software at zoom.us. I will send information about how to join the calls by Zoom about a week before the series begins. Please email a headshot (a picture of your head or of your head and shoulders) so I can create a Community Map we will use for some discussions that “go around the circle” during each class.
RECOMMENDED READING: Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg. If you enjoy learning by writing, you may also want to get a copy of Nonviolent Communication, A Companion Workbook by Lucy Leu. These books are available at CNVC.org or Amazon.com or at your local library
Meganwind Eoyang came to the study of Nonviolent Communication from a very different world. She grew up street fighting on the south side of Chicago. Her longing for sweet, deep connection with fellow humans arose after first finding safety and meaning in nature. She was excited to discover that Nonviolent Communication offers clear steps for practicing the compassion, self love, and love for others which her Chinese, European and North American (and other) spiritual traditions invite us to live. She has been a trainer with Bay Area Nonviolent Communication since 2004.
You may enjoy watching:
A 10-minute video interview of Meganwind speaking about empathy.
A 4-minute video interview of Meganwind speaking about examples of empathy with inmates at San Quentin and in her coaching sessions with couples.
What people said about this course:
I had the insight that we have a flow of needs all the time and how beautiful it is to acknowledge that for ourselves and for others when we communicate. Lots of skills and more self-understanding and acceptance… I feel much more empowered to handle any type of conversation. I have much more ability to really care for and connect with other people, something that can change the quality of my connections.
— Marta Delgado, Berkeley, Student
I enjoyed the chance to practice empathic listening inside and outside class. This skill has already enriched my personal and professional relationships. I am excited to continue to develop this method of connecting with others. – Anonymous
I am listening to others and asking myself what are they feeling and what might they need. I have a desire to have the conversation to go well, for me to be compassionate. Already, I have awareness of self and others that I did not before when I’m communicating. I am feeling more joy when talking with others and realizing that this is the opportunity for intimacy and connection. I am able to slow down a bit. With my son, it helps for me to ask “are you willing” versus saying “Stop!”
— Dana Massuk