When I was first introduced to Nonviolent Communication, also known as Compassionate Communication, I was intrigued by the claims of its founder, the late Marshall B. Rosenberg, who claimed that through Nonviolent Communication (NVC) peace was possible, even in the most trying of circumstances.

Rosenberg wrote and spoke about bringing NVC to war-torn parts of the world like Rwanda, Palestine, Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone. Moreover, he taught that Compassionate Communication could be used to improve the quality of marital and parental relationships.

Finally, Rosenberg also brought NVC into the discussion about race, culture and ethnicity as it was clear that the increasingly diverse landscape of The United States and Canada posed a challenge to many who were afraid that a hyper-diverse society would mean that their sense of community and belonging would be lost.

I found myself getting more and more interested in this process of compassionate exchange which seemed to be far too idealistic and flowery to a rationalist like myself.

In this first module, let’s explore what is alive in you. How did you first learn about Nonviolent Communication? What was it that brought you to this course with Dignified Dialogue? What are you hoping to leave this course with? 

Now, take some time to address the aforementioned questions for yourself.It is recommended to have a daily journal for this course and it may even be a good idea to journal throughout your entire learning path of NVC. For me, this is a lifelong journey whis is why I often don’t leave my home without my journal except on very few occasions. Once you have given the questions some thought and perhaps some initial notes, please write your answers below in the space provided.

For the final part of the first module, I invite you to form an intention. Here are some exploratory questions that can support you in formulating an intention. Keep in mind that an intention need not be grand and verbose but rather something that can guide and ground you throughout the course.

If you have a commitment to the value of nonviolence, why?

What meaning do you derive from learning and living compassion? 

What, if any, spiritual beliefs accompany you to your interest in learning NVC?