Practicing Compassion for Yourself and Others - Three Month Guided Practice Group

Eugene

Increase your capacity for self-empathy, staying present, speaking authentically, and responding with compassion to others.

We will follow the curriculum in The Ongo Book: Everyday Nonviolence by Catherine Cadden and Jesse Wiens. Both of the authors are certified trainers with the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC). Their approach combines Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication (NVC) framework, mindfulness and meditation practices, and teachings from different wisdom/spiritual traditions. The Ongo Book curriculum consists of readings, discussions, and practices designed to help people connect compassionately with themselves and others. It emphasizes paying attention to one's breath and body sensations in order to ground awareness in the present moment, identify one's emotional states, and consider universal human needs. It also emphasizes listening to others with presence, curiosity, and an intention to connect as well as speaking with honesty and kindness.

One person who participated in two different three-month practice groups had this to say: “The Ongo Book offers a truly graceful progression of skills and exercises. It really does do a terrific job of teaching the fundamental building blocks of conflict resolution and putting them together in such a way that makes having tough conversations in a respectful and kind way seem much more doable.”

In addition to weekly group gatherings on Thursday evenings, we will meet one-on-one with others in the group to do paired exercises (in person or over the phone). We will also do individual practices on our own. To get the full benefit of this group and to support the learning of other group members, each person is asked to commit to:

  • attending a majority of the Thursday evening group gatherings, including the final gathering on December 19th,
  • meeting with another member of the group most weeks for paired exercises,
  • do a majority of the individual practices,
  • setting aside 4-5 hours each week for participation in the various meetings and practices.

Although not required, participants are also encouraged to read (and/or be familiar with the content of) Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life.

On September 19th, there will be an interest meeting after which people can decide if they want to commit to the full three-month practice group. The group will meet on the first floor of a church and is wheelchair accessible. For more information and/or to sign-up, contact Josh Mann.

Training by: 
Josh Mann's picture
Josh
Mann
Trainer/Facilitator

Josh has been offering Nonviolent Communication practice groups, classes, and workshops in Eugene since 2017. In 2021, he has also hosted practice groups online.

Josh first read 'Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life' in 2005. Three years later, he attended an International Intensive Training in New Mexico with Marshall Rosenberg and CNVC Trainers Rodger Sorrows and John Kinyon. Josh has also participated in classes and workshops with several other CNVC Trainers, including Jesse Wiens Chu, Catherine Cadden, LaShelle Lowe-Charde, Robert Gonzales, and Sandra Amiry.

Josh has a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from Portland State University and a Bachelor's degree in Music from the University of Oregon. Some of Josh's other interests include Buddhist meditation and mindfulness practices and healthy masculinity.

7 years 2 months
$75 - $150
Location: 
West Eugene (Chambers St)

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