Communicating Requests with Compassion and Clarity

Communicating Requests with Compassion and Clarity – Online Workshop

“The clearer we are about what we want, the more likely it is that we’ll get it.” Marshall Rosenberg

Introduction

In this workshop, we begin to navigate the complexity of making requests of ourselves and others in order to enrich our lives and enhance our sense of well-being. Ideally, this workshop follows from 'Speak Truth, Listen Deeply', but can also stand alone.

When making requests, we often use vague, ambiguous language or assume that others should know what we need, only to feel frustrated and disappointed when our needs are not met. We also fall into the trap of making demands instead of requests, leaving the listener believing that they will be punished or blamed if they do not comply.

In non-violent communication we propose that making demands leads to disconnection, and robs others of the gift of contributing to our well-being because they want to, not because they have to.

Our focus in this retreat is to make life enhancing requests from an embodied awareness of our feelings and needs in ways that promotes connection, clarity and compassion.

During our time together we will:

· Enjoy the ABC of mindfulness - a practice to enable our 4 step NVC process

· Explore the premises underlying NVC consciousness with regard to needs

· Discern the difference between needs and strategies

· Understand three kinds of requests in NVC

· Distinguish between a request and a demand

· Explore the concept of the 'Emotional Bank Account' when making requests

· Have super tips and insights to support making clear and compassionate requests

· Practice the 4 NVC steps of observing, feelings, needs and requests in supportive dyads.

Our workshop will focus on language that supports connection and compassion, asking for what we need, and listening deeply to what is being said by another.

Retreat Participants

We wish to offer support to anyone who wants to explore language and communication that encourages connection and compassion.

Practices

The practices we offer center around growing self-awareness, compassion, honest expression and empathic listening. We believe that a commitment to mindful awareness and practice is fundamental to this work and so each workshop includes a relevant mindfulness practice. 

Facilitators

Dr Lucy Draper-Clarke will share a range of mindfulness and compassion practices, from her up-coming book ‘Awareness in Action‘. These practices support us to down-regulate our nervous system initially, and then to move towards deeper self-awareness of our habit patterns. 

Felicity Joan Hart has practiced meditation, mindfulness and yoga for over 35 years and now teaches within these modalities. Her formal qualifications include an Honours Degree in Psychology, international coaching qualifications, and a PGC in Mindfulness-Based Interventions from the University of Stellenbosch. She is an enthusiastic student and teacher of Non-Violent communication as developed by Dr Marshall Rosenberg. Felicity will guide us through the principles of Nonviolent communication within the context of mindfulness, awareness and compassion practice.