Some of the most pronounced points of personal suffering in life often arise in our relationships with others.
Relational mindfulness takes mindfulness practice off of the meditation cushion and into the interpersonal realm, asking the question, what arises when we meet moments of interpersonal interaction with curiosity, kindness, and openness?
Mindfulness can support:
- The recognition of feelings, needs, personal narratives, and biases that influence perspective.
- Increase the ability to self-regulate in emotionally charged moments.
- Help to recognize patterns of interpersonal communication that undermine understanding.
Training our attention to notice our habits can free us to cultivate a style of relating that acknowledges our experience while allowing space for others to express themselves.
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a contemplative communication practice that directs attention to elements of our shared life experience which can enhance compassionate giving and receiving in moments of interpersonal communication.
Through the practice of NVC, we can learn to clarify what we are observing, what emotions we are feeling, what values we want to live by, and what we want to ask of ourselves and others. We will no longer need to use the language of blame, judgment, or domination. We can experience the deep pleasure of contributing to each others’ well-being. — James Prieto
Free Introduction to Relational Mindfulness
Thursday, December 5th
6:30 to 8 p.m.
at Centered Spirit
In this free introduction, we’ll provide an overview of our upcoming 10-week Relational Mindfulness class that blends the power of NVC with the practices and principles of mindfulness.
Register to attend, here…
The Facilitators
James Prieto
James is an author, poet, CNVC Certified Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Trainer, and nature-based Wild Heart guide.
James guides toward connection through NVC workshops and “Wild Heart” nature-based depth-psychology personal development — inspired by Wild Mind – Field Guide to the Human Psyche by Bill Plotkin, Ph.D. You can find out about his offerings at www.CompassionateConnecting.com
He’s passionate about the intersection of Animas Valley inspired work with NVC as a way to contribute to Earth elder Joanna Macy’s “Great Turning” and Thomas Berry’s “Great Work”.
Amy Zoe Schonhoff
Amy (she/her), is the founder of Mindfulness in the Heartland, a certified teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction through the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, and a certified practitioner of Advanced Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness.
Amy’s mindfulness practice spans over thirty years of personal exploration. Based on her own journey, she has found the practices and principles of mindfulness to be the most instructive and transformative approach to embracing this experience of “being human.” As a result, she is particularly inspired to teach the skills of mindfulness to individuals and communities actively working to integrate and heal from personal and intergenerational trauma.