Welcome to Sirius’ Compassionate Communication course!
January 14th – February 25th, 2024 *
Sundays from 4pm to 5:30pm
*please see schedule changes below
Over six weekly classes, we’ll learn tools to create more understanding, connection, and empathy in charged emotional situations. The course is inspired by Marshall Rosenberg’s Non-violent Communication, or “NVC”.
Compassionate communication invites us to explore the underlying needs behind the feelings that come up in charged conflicts. Using an “NVC” approach we’re called to listen with curiosity and empathy to ourselves and to each other as a basis for engaging in challenging conversations head-on. NVC has become a powerful support for our community’s conflict resolution process. It’s not perfect, or a cure-all, but it gives us a language of the heart that can foster the connection needed to work through issues. We look forward to connecting with you all and exploring these concepts and practices!
What you can expect to learn (our syllabus)
*please note that this schedule has changed (updated 9 January 2024)
January 14th: Intro to NVC: Empathy, Feelings, and Needs (co-taught by all)
January 21st: Self Empathy & the dance (taught by Madison)
*January 28th: no class!
February 4th: Things that are not empathy and how we miss opportunities for connection (taught by Dani)
February 11th: Bringing clarity with open-minded observations (taught by Eric)
February 18th: Understanding Anger and healthy expressions of anger (taught by Dani)
February 25th: Requesting that which would enrich our lives (taught by Madison)
Tuition costs – and registration information
We would love for this course to be accessible to anyone who is interested while also supporting the instructors’ livelihoods. You could either pay class by class ($25 a class) or pay for the entire course (six classes) in full for a sliding scale cost of $130- $300. Please register and select payment option through this online registration form.
Meet your instructors!
Dani Angel
Dani embarked on her journey with NVC in 2018. This transformative practice became a catalyst for fostering harmony within herself, unveiling core values, and nurturing self-compassion. Under the guidance of Robert and Sharon Raymond, Dani delved deep into the principles of NVC, honing her skills and insights.
Having actively engaged in classes and immersed herself in the Communications Domain at Sirius Community, Dani not only connects with the essence of NVC but also embraces the opportunity to share her knowledge. Her passion for learning is what inspires her to continue on the path of peace and compassion.
Madison Healey
After serving in the Peace Corps as an English teacher, Madison landed at Sirius at the end of 2020. Immediately inspired, Madison jumped into her learning and practicing of NVC. She has now over 100 hours in training, including a 9 day International Intensive Training organized by the Center for Non-violent Communication. Since then, she has been teaching NVC classes for new residents and interns of Sirius. She also began co-leading the weekly NVC practice group at Sirius, and assisting with mediations and other conflict resolution processes within the community.
Eric Giordano
After moving to Sirius in 2020, Eric began studying Non-violent communication under Robert and Sharon Raymond through their community communication classes. In this time, Eric has been an active member of Sirius’ communications domain, facilitating mediations of interpersonal challenges in the community and co-leading weekly NVC practice circles. Eric believes that shifting our consciousness towards curiosity and empathy in emotionally charged situations and examining our judgements is foundational to creating a world more full of peace, understanding, and met needs.
Background & history of this teaching at Sirius Community
Since 2019 Sirius Community has been blessed with two well-versed Non-Violent Communication (NVC) trainers, Robert and Sharon Raymond. After a nearly 20 year hiatus from the community on a search for peace-building tools, they found and learned from Marshall Rosenberg. Upon their return, they began teaching NVC to community members and the principles have had a significant impact in the way we are able to communicate and process conflict within the community.
Guest rooms available if you want to stay overnight:
If, before a Sunday class, you would like to attend our community work circle (and lunch) on Saturday to experience more of our community life, you are welcome to do so! Please contact Sirius Guest Services for more information! siriusguestdepartment@gmail.com