[Workshop] Nonviolent Communication with Paul Merrill
Fri, Sep 01, 12:00 am
CLASS / WORKSHOP

Boston NVC trainer Paul Merrill will lead a free two-hour introductory talk / workshop in the nonviolent communication method founded by Marshall Rosenberg.

”’Nonviolent communication”’ (abbreviated ”’NVC”’, also called ”’compassionate communication”’ or ”’collaborative communication”) is a communication process developed by Marshall Rosenberg beginning in the 1960s. It focuses on three aspects of communication: ”self-empathy” (defined as a deep and compassionate awareness of one’s own inner experience), ”empathy” (understanding and sharing an emotion expressed by another), and ”honest self-expression” (defined as expressing oneself authentically in a way that is likely to inspire compassion in others).

Habits of thinking and speaking that lead to the use of violence (psychological and physical) are learned through culture. NVC theory supposes that all human beings have the capacity for compassion and only resort to behavior that harms others when they don’t recognize more effective strategies for meeting their needs. When people can identify their needs, the needs of others, and the feelings that surround these needs, harmony can be achieved.

While NVC is taught as a process of communication designed to improve compassionate connection to others, it has also been interpreted as a spiritual practice, a set of values, a parenting technique, an educational method and a worldview.

Paul Merrill is a co-trainer at NVC Boston with Shivani Carroll. His NVC studies began in 2002 and he is a 2005 graduate of Bay NVC’s Leadership Program. Prior to moving back to Boston, Paul was a founding board member and co-trainer at Brooklyn NVC. In 2012, he co-facilitated Mediate Your Life’s East Coast immersion program at Essex MA. He has been repeatedly invited to assist at the annual New York NVC Intensive, as well at NVC trainings at the United Nations, in Belgium and Poland.