Dharma Topic: The Heart of Nonviolent Communication

Dear Still Water Friends,

 

Justat the end of last week’s discussion on Mindfulness Practice and NonviolentCommunication, Lynda Martin-McCormick spoke about something she had learned atthe NVC retreat that had really touched her: That our deepest joy comes frombeing in communion – giving to another person as well as receiving.

 

WhileNVC can be seen and practiced as a gentle but insistent way of getting one’sown wants and needs meet, at it’s core it is much more than that. MarshallRosenberg explains:

The objective… is never to get what we want. It’s the development of a quality of connection that allows everyone’s needs to get met.

 

Think of needs as flowers on the table, not air in our lungs — beautiful offerings, not something desperately needed for survival. 

ThisThursday, April 22, David andLynda Martin-McCormick will help us explore the notion of giving andreceiving as the heart of NVC (and the bridge to interbeing). Whilethis topic arose from last weeks comments, it is a new Thursday and a newdiscussion. It is not necessary to have been there last week to fullyparticipate in this evening.

 

AMarshall Rosenberg inspired song, “Given to” is below.

 

Thisweek and next, from 6:30 to 7:20 pm, we will have our pre-session informaldiscussion on basic practices and mindfulness in daily life. Beginning onMay 6 we will return to having an orientation/pre-session only once a month, onthe first Thursday of each month.

 

Youare invited to join us this Thursday.

 

Warmwishes,

 

Mitchell 

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**************** Given to ************************

 

Inever feel more given to
than when you take from me —
when you understand the joy I feel
giving to you.
And you know my giving isn’t done
to put you in my debt,
but because I want to live the love
I feel for you.

To receive with grace
may be the greatest giving.
There’s no way I can separate
the two.
When you give to me,
I give you my receiving.
When you take from me, I feel so
given to.

Song “Given To” (1978) by Ruth Bebermeyerfrom the album, “Given To.”

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