June 2010 Newsletter

“To listen another’s soul into a condition of disclosure and discovery may be almost the greatest service any human being ever performs for another” 

This quote (from Douglas Steer) speaks directly of empathic listening which has featured prominently in our courses and workshops this Spring.  A deep longing to be heard – and understood – is shared by us all and simply to be present to another, to listen empathically without judgement, will have a deep resonance and can support a new opportunity in communication.

One question which often arises on our courses is how to follow up, particularly after an introductory weekend.  One possibility is to join a Deepening Weekend, where we introduce processes to explore in greater depth and intensity the insights of Compassionate Communication.   The next Deepening Course (“Dwelling in Beauty”) is on the weekend of 9-10th October.

Another possibility is to join a Practice Group.  We offer regular Practice Groups for those who have attended one of our courses.  Practice Groups meet generally once a week for two hours one weekday evening and offer an opportunity for guided practice and development in a small group.  We have just set the dates for our Practice Groups for the remainder of the year which are as follows:

7, 14, 21 September, 5 and 12 October (5 sessions, standard charge £50)

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 November and 7 December (6 sessions, standard charge £60)

If you have attended one of our courses and would be interested in joining a Practice Group please email us (at info@compassionatecommunication.co.uk) indicating which session would suit you best.  If you would like to join an Introductory course (“Choosing Life”), the next course with places free is on the weekend of 11-12th September.

We are happy to announce that Robert Gonzales has recorded a three DVD set (“The Embodied Spirituality of Nonviolent Communication”) developed from a set of trainings given in Hawaii.  This is an opportunity to see first hand a recording of Robert’s teaching, available for the first time in this format.  We have some copies to distribute at the cost price of £50 for the three \DVD set.  If you would like a copy, or to know more about the content of the DVD, please contact us by phone or email at the Centre.

We are excited currently to be running or preparing courses for various groups and communities that have approached us to explore customized workshops for their particular group or circumstance.  These include an intentional community based in Suffolk, the Unitarian Church in London, and the Tower Hamlets Mediation Service.  If you are part of a group or community and would like to explore how we might develop and offer introductions to Compassionate Communication in ways specifically relevant to your organization do contact us to discuss the possibilities.

We have just begun work on our 2011 Calendar of courses and workshops in which we hope to respond to the valuable feedback received during this year.  In particular we hope to offer more one day events and more regular practice sessions which many of you tell us would suit you better in integrating your practice of Compassionate Communication with everyday life.

We finish with a quote from Robert Gonzales which reminds us again of what lies at the heart of much of our perceived challenge in relationship:

“It is so easy to get caught in a kind of vortex of disconnection, a vortex of suffering. A realization that has been helpful to me is to know that my suffering is not caused by what I observe, see and hear. My suffering is caused by what I do inside in response to any trigger. And then, what I do with that.”

One thing we can do with “that” is to give ourselves the empathy that Douglas Steer talks about to support our entering relationship from a new and different place, from the heart.

If you are interested in attending any of our courses or following up any of the points in this Newsletter, simply send us an email or call us. You can visit our website (www.compassionatecommunication.co.uk) for more details or call us if you would like to discuss any questions in more detail.

With very best wishes,

Richard and Jill

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