It seems to me that a big part of creating the kind of community that we need to live more sustainably is connecting to our joy and openheartedness. If we are too constricted or afraid it is difficult to create the kind of connections that can become the basis of meaningful community.

I believe that a lot of our disconnect is actually rooted in our language and our ardent focus on the tangible world. One form of healing wisdom that I have discovered that addresses this disconnect and skewed focus is Nonviolent Communication as developed by Marshall Rosenberg.

Here are two quotes that sum up Nonviolent Communication:

"The Nonviolent Communication process strengthens
our ability to remain human, even under trying
conditions. It reminds us about what we already
know—how we humans were meant to relate to
one another—and assists us in living in ways
that concretely manifests this knowledge."
—Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D.


"Nonviolent Communication is a communication process and a model for living that was developed by Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D. over 40 years ago. It is used in 35 countries worldwide. The two primary components of this process are: 1) a process for living that values everyone’s needs equally, and that values connections with people more than being right or winning; and 2) a set of tools that helps us do this. Most of us have been taught a way of living that promotes distrust and self-protection. In contrast, Nonviolent Communication teaches us that true safety lies in our ability to openly connect with ourselves and other people, to live authentically and to respond to all situations with compassion and humanity. This process promotes peaceful living on a daily basis."
-Mary Mackenzie

As part of this blog I will be recording my adventures in learning and attempting to live the principles of Nonviolent or Compassionate Communication.