Miki Kashtan, Certified NVC Trainer:
“I will do everything in my power to resolve every conflict, however small.” – Thich Nhat Hanh, from the 4th precept as printed in For a Future to Be Possible
When asked how we can create peace, the Dalai Lama suggested that we start at home. Through the practice of living in dialogue at home, where the stakes are often very high, you can increase your ability to meet the challenges of life everywhere with empathy, goodwill and authenticity.
The vision: Imagine what this could be. Imagine sweet, open dialogue in all your relationships, both intimate and otherwise. Imagine full compassion for yourself, accepting your humanity in moments of challenge. Imagine the freedom to choose in every moment, how you want to meet life. Imagine the power of responding empathically to those around you. Imagine expanding outward from your personal life and embodying these qualities in the world..
The content: Like all of Miki’s courses, much of what happens in this telecourse recording emerged from what needs, challenges and opportunities participants brought with them. Miki’s teaching is highly interactive and includes experiential integration as well as easy-to-remember insights.
Session Topics:
1. Dialogue as a Way of Life:
a. Recognizing and going beyond either/or thinkingb. Shifting from demands to requestsc. Shifting from agreement to empathyd. Asking for everything and always telling the truth in response to requests
2. The Inner Building Blocks of Creating Peace:
a. Living in Peace with Unmet Needsb. Releasing attachment and stepping into the unknownc. Overcoming fear and embracing vulnerabilityd. Opening hearts and transforming judgments
3. From Conflict to Dilemma:
a. Staying in connection when conflict arisesb. Transcending resentment and surfacing invisible contractsc. Saying everything with cared. Empathy as inner transformatione. Empathy to support holding things together
4. The Gift of Connection Requests:
a. Taking 100%responsibility for the relationshipb. Navigating conversations to everyone's benefitc. Knowing when to move into specific strategies and solutions
5. Creating Relationship Agreements:
a. Trust building strategies
i. Agreed regularly scheduled activities (e.g. mutual appreciation)II. Agreements about how to handle conflictIII. Talking about things outside conflict moments
b. Becoming each other's partner in changing behaviors
i. Soliciting feedback and refraining from offering at other's timeii. Agreements about reminders
c. Handling unkept agreements
i. Releasing the temptation to hold the other accountableii. Using broken agreements for learning
6. Nourishing Relationships with Celebration and Gratitude:
a. Expressing appreciation with full vulnerabilityb. Requesting celebration (as opposed to ""do you love me?"")c. Empathy for celebration and gratitude
Keywords:

- empathy
- needs
- compassion
- connection
- dialogue
- conflict resolution
- relationships
- peace
- power
- Miki Kashtan