I wish this book were required reading in our schools. NVC is the perfect example of the beauty of the KISS principle - it's also one of the hardest things to do. Similar to the NVC CD but in book form, this manual forms the foundation of what I do. There is also a matching NVC workbook which is ideal for those not working with a 'live' counsellor. A month of emails plus the workbook will transform your life.
NVC aka A Language of Life is the language we are all born speaking, whether we're from Tibet or Tanzania. Schools, churches, governments and parent all conspire to teach us a language of confrontation, separation and fear. Albeit in Tibetan or Tanzanian!
As I read/listened to Marshall talking about NVC, my eyes were tearful with sadness, regret and a recognition of what I knew to be true in the deepest part of me. I was going to try and talk about the actual components of NVC here but it just doesn't seem possible to do them justice?
This is without doubt the kindest, most compassionate language anywhere - and it brings success and peace whether you're alone (self-empathy is one of the most important parts of NVC I think), a couple, a family, a school, a corporation or a country. Some of Marshall's latest - and successful - work has been in countries torn apart by civil war and hatred, such as Rwanda and the Middle East.
Invite NVC into your life - based on separating thoughts, feelings and needs, enriched by self knowledge and served up with kindness and respect. Life is too precious for anything less.