Phases of the Moon, the newsletter of the Maine NVC Network
Volume Ten, Issue Two:
Addressing some issues arising from systemic patriarchy

Our newsletter will now be appearing occasionally, up to four times a year. Please visit our archives to explore our many previous newsletters, many of which contain practice suggestions. Our purpose is to contribute to the NVC learning of people who have taken at least an NVC Level 1 workshop, and help us stay connected as we endeavor to deepen a culture of peace within ourselves, our families and the world. We believe a Level 1 offers so many new ways of thinking that additional support for learning and integration could be helpful.

We endeavor to make each edition informative, connecting, inspiring and fun. Please let us know how the newsletter might contribute to your NVC well-being. Email: newsletter at mainenvcnetwork.org

Contents

Responding to Sexual Relations between NVC Trainers and Students/Clients

Those of us who have tasted the benefits that NVC offers have an ocean of gratitude for Marshall Rosenberg, his intellect, his passion for finding ways for humans to truly build a world where all beings matter. This legacy is a treasure to be cared for and nurtured.

And, what is rarely spoken of except in whispers is that Marshall had a huge blind spot when it came to sexual expression. It seems he did not fully grasp the power differential and vulnerability inherent in the student – teacher dynamic. During periods of his life he slept with students. This is a heavy legacy that we also carry.

In an attempt to bring this aspect of the legacy into the light and in hopes that our community will create a systemic response to the reality that some trainers are using their power in tragic ways, a group of seven CNVC-certified trainers crafted a document entitled, In Support of Trainers and Students. This document is now posted in full on the Maine NVC Network website HERE.

We encourage all people who are involved in NVC to read it and post it widely.

The seven trainers are Sura Hart, Martha Lasley, Mary Mackenzie, Sarah Peyton, Roberta Wall, Miki Kashtan and Peggy Smith. If you have any questions or concerns please email: peggy at opencommmunication.org

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The Nonviolent Global Liberation (NGL) Program

by Adam Michaelides

The Nonviolent Global Liberation (NGL) program draws primarily on the work of CNVC-certified trainer Miki Kashtan, an international teacher, creator of Convergent Facilitation, and author of three books, the latest being Reweaving Our Human Fabric: Working Together to Create a Nonviolent Future. NGL emphasizes Nonviolent Communication and needs-based consciousness; specifically, nonviolent approaches to power and privilege, transforming our relationship with money and patriarchy. Built into NGL is a focus on applying these ideas on the scale of social change.

The vision of NGL is to transform the legacies of patriarchy, racism and capitalism that we have inherited. We aim to create "a world in which we all value people and life and participate in a flow of generosity. A world where sharing our gifts and the mundane tasks of life are both done with wholehearted willingness, free of coercion. A world where attending to everyone's needs is the organizing principle." (From Reweaving our Human Fabric)

Through an online learning community, and periodic in-person gatherings (i.e. retreats), participants are invited to join the NGL community and support one another in the practice of bringing truth, courage and love to the many facets of life. From October 30 – November 5, 2019, the Nonviolent Global Liberation (NGL) program will hold its first retreat on the East Coast, at Stony Point Center, in Stony Point, New York. Attending an NGL retreat offers a window into this international learning community. NGL retreats are a co-created experience.

Participants are invited to focus on areas of their choosing. Some examples include: personal vision and purpose, leadership and facilitation, power and privilege, organizational systems, or specific projects.

The core NGL curriculum will be provided by a team of people including Uma Lo, Tareq Maassarani and Miki Kashtan. Some of the core components include:

The retreat is offered on the gift economy. More information about NGL can be found at the Nonviolent Liberation Community website. Information specifically about the upcoming retreat on the East Coast and a link to the Power, Access and Inclusion statement can be found on the BayNVC website.

Members of the organizing team can be contacted directly by email: ngl-east at nglcommunity.org We welcome your questions, and hope that you will consider joining us!

Adam Michaelides is on the organizing team for the NGL-East Coast retreat. He has supported Miki Kasthan's Leveraging Your Influence program on the East Coast and in Poland since 2013.

Practice Suggestions

Knowing that the issues raised in this newsletter may bring up distressing thoughts and/or feelings for some, we suggest requesting empathy from a friend or fellow NVC practitioner, or trying one or more of these self-empathy practices:

or contact one of the email contacts listed in the feature articles.
There is also an empathy circle that meets monthly in Belfast.

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Upcoming Trainings

Trainings listed here are in the Maine region. If you wish to list an event, please follow our guidelines for submission. Please note that both certified and non–certified trainers, (who are willing to follow certain requirements of the Center for Nonviolent Communication), may be leading the posted trainings. Listing here does not imply endorsement by the Maine NVC Network of the trainer or the event.

Special Opportunities:

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Level 1 / Introductory Workshops

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For updated listing of NVC trainings please check any of the following:

 

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Poetry Corner:

When I Am Among the Trees
by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, "Stay awhile."
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine."

 

Ongoing

  • Monthly Empathy Circle:
    Belfast, ME
    Second Friday of each month, 10am-1pm
    (formerly first Friday)
    25 Village Rd, Belfast
    You are welcome to come when you can.
    If this is your first time coming, please contact Linda beforehand:
    Phone 207-322-2122
    email: chezcote5 at gmail.com

  • Authentic Communication Groups
    Falmouth, ME
    with Andrea Ferrante, trainer and coach
    Two groups meet biweekly, one on alternate Wednesdays; the other on alternate Mondays.
    Authentic Communication Groups are coaching groups designed to open you up to an approach to living that offers greater peace, personal empowerment, and conscious connection to that which sustains and enriches life. / FMI

  • See also the Practice Groups page.

 

Announcement

  • Scholarship Fund for the Maine NVC Integration Program! By supporting a scholarship fund for the Maine NVC Integration Program, you will be helping bring together a more diverse group of people to experience this life-changing program, thus helping foster greater compassion and harmony individually and collectively. Please join us in supporting this fund in order to include individuals who otherwise would not be able to attend. Our goal is to raise $21,000. Contribute HERE

 

 

Do you want to receive emails about upcoming NVC trainings and other NVC events in and near Maine?

Join the Maine NVC Network
Yahoo Group

The group is moderated and is only used for announcements of regional workshops and other Maine NVC Network events. Inclusion in list serve announcements does not imply endorsement by the Network.

 

Paid Announcement

Clarity Services, LLC
Now Accepting Clients

Helping groups of people think together collaboratively and effectively. Free 30 minute initial consultation:
1-877-833-1372
email: leah at clarityservices.us

 

 

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