Now meeting in Sauk City at Park Hall!
View our upcoming special sessions
Conscious Communication is a process that can help you to express yourself fully in ways that are easily heard by the people you would like to connect with. Conscious Communication involves the intention to use our power with — as opposed to over or against — one another to meet universal needs. We study this process to stay present to each other and establish a connection in which everyone’s needs are valued. Come and see if this is a practice you would enjoy!
Inspired by Marshall Rosenberg’s technique called Nonviolent Communication, and Robert Gonzales’ Living Compassion, this process:
- Is simple and doable. There are four simple steps. We cover 2 principles and 2 parts to the process. We learn express ourselves clearly in ways that will invite cooperation from others and help everyone to recognize that we are essentially ‘on the same team.’
- Can be used with anyone. Whether you are talking to your boss, your child, your co-worker, your client, your partner or friend – you use the same skill set to express yourself and listen.
- Is complete and adaptable. Whether you are interested in more productive feedback sessions with a boss or employee, connecting with a loved one or client, working with anger or overwhelm or expressing and receiving gratitude or forgiveness, these skills can be adapted to any situation in which talking is part of the solution.
Empathy Poker (September 25): At this session we will define our terms and practice with a game called “Empathy Poker.” You will get a taste of what it feels like to communicate from this perspective. (This will be combined with one of the following exercises at the East Side Introduction.)
Thoughts Get in the Way (October 9): A fun exercise that demonstrates how thoughts can get in the way of effective communication and connection.
Take Back Your Power – How to Never Be Insulted Again (September 25): We will continue our exploration of the basic principles on Conscious Communication with our real life ‘trigger statements’ in order to experience what it can feel like to communicate in this fashion in a challenging situation with another person. Part 4: Working with ‘Enemy’ or
Fixed Images (September 25): Communication without words – an embodied practice to quickly release difficult or repetitive patterns in a relationship.
Mary Kay Reineman began teaching and organizing practice groups in 2007. She is currently studying with Robert Gonzales, former president of the NVC board of directors. For more information visit her bio page.
This group will meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.
