Phases of the Moon, the newsletter of the Maine NVC Network
Volume Three, Issue Seven: BePeace

Our newsletter appears once a month around the time of the new moon. 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.

This month's theme is BePeace.

Contents

BePeace is coming to MaineBePeace banner with the words BePeace and a dove

by Lynn Ellis

BePeace??? What’s that?

BePeace is a combination of Coherence + Connection and is a practice that combines a scientifically proven method for "feeling peace" (from HeartMath) with a clear path for "speaking peace" (NVC) that creates an authentic, compassionate connection. As we learn this practice, we are empowered to pass it on, to "teach peace."

Founder of BePeace – Rita Marie Johnson

After learning that Costa Rica did not have an army, Rita Marie Johnson moved from the United States to Costa Rica over 17 years ago to help strengthen its peace model. Now she serves as director of the Rasur Foundation in Costa Rica, which she founded in 1998, and also Rasur Foundation International (RFI) in the US, founded in 2009. Johnson’s work has been inspired by the poem Rasur, written by Roberto Brenes Mesén in 1946, that predicted Costa Rica would become a model of peace. The poem tells of a teacher, Rasur, who comes to a village and awakens the children to the wisdom and compassion in their hearts.  In 2000, Johnson wrote The Return of Rasur: The story that holds the answer to education in our time.

BePeace is taught in public schools in Costa Rica and now in the U.S. Rita Marie moved back to the states in 2010 and in 2012 courses such as this one began being offered to invite participants from all settings to learn the skills and begin practicing BePeace in their own lives. Several schools are now offering BePeace in their curriculum.

Learning the BePeace Practice

In a twofold process you discover how to achieve heart-brain coherence through appreciation, and you use language to connect to universal needs through empathy and honesty. Coherence helps us reliably access our wisdom, while connection to universal needs leads us to our compassion. There is a synergy between coherence and connection; that is, they enhance each other.

Creating Peace in Yourself

After gaining the know-how of the components, you can access wisdom and compassion as you use the BePeace practice every day. Additional courses offer opportunities to deepen the practice and eventually become a certified BePeace teacher or coach.

What will the course be like?

Lectures are followed by experiential exercises in small groups so that every participant has an opportunity to practice BePeace skills. Discover how to transform your response to stress and create a more peaceful way of being. Learning and practicing coherence enhances the experience of using empathy and honesty. The transformational power of BePeace arises from the synergy of combining coherence with connection. When we achieve heart-brain coherence and also connect with our feelings and needs we can respond more consciously to life. In this way we enrich our own lives and help create a more peaceful world.

BePeace, HeartMath and Nonviolent Communication

BePeace has a long history of harmony and mutual support with Doc Childre and the Institute of HeartMath and Marshall Rosenberg and the Center for Nonviolent Communication. BePeace is a sound introduction to HeartMath and NVC but does not contain all that is of value that is offered in those two organizations. Consequently, it is encouraged that people who want more training in these methods go directly to those organizations. BePeace, as a synergistic combination of coherence and connection, has its own niche.

So if this interests you please join for the first Be Peace training in Maine.

Lynn Ellis is a peace activist, NVC supporter and BePeace coach who currently lives in Surrey, ME.

Suggestions for Further Practice

  1. Participate in the BePeace workshop coming to Ellsworth, Maine in September 2012. Hosted by Lynn Ellis, certified BePeace Coach and presented by Paula Guarnaccia, certified BePeace Teacher & Heart Math Educator.

  2. For the next 2 weeks practice the HeartMath activity of Freeze-Frame that was presented in the May Phases of the Moon Newsletter.

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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.

July 27-28, Ellsworth, ME
Connecting Across Differences: the journey of Nonviolent Communication

offered by Peggy Smith, Certified NVC Trainer
pdf icon details and registration

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August 6–10, Belfast, ME
Sustainable Communication: The Theory & Practice of Nonviolent Communication

3 credit course through the Peace & Reconciliation Department of the University of Maine.
taught by Peggy Smith / pdf icon details

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Sept. 29-30, Ellsworth, ME
BePeace Practice: Creating Peace in Yourself
Presented by Paula Guarnaccia,
Certified BePeace Teacher & HeartMath Educator

pdf icon details

______________________________________________________________

Oct. 27-28, Norway, ME
Connecting Across Differences: the NVC journey

Offered by Peggy Smith / email for details

 

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8 Months of Deepening NVC Consciousness:
the Maine NVC Integration Program
Opening My Heart—Opening Communication
An Intermediate NVC Experience

Five Themed Retreats spread over an 8 month period,
September 2012 to May 2013

11 days of direct instruction with Certified NVC Trainer Peggy Smith and NVC Mediation Program graduate Leah Boyd

Between retreats learning community includes:

Move NVC from a concept to practical integration while staying close to home.

details and registration


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Invitation to a
Monthly Empathy Circle

You are invited to participate in a monthly empathy circle. We will gather the first Friday of each month
at The Start Center, 37 Start Rd, Camden

You are welcome to come when you can.

FMI contact Linda:
Phone 563-6712 / email

 

 

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.

 

Call for Volunteers

Facebook Friendly NVC supporter wanted! Volunteer needed to keep Maine NVC Network's Facebook page up to date and vibrant. Your help is greatly needed to bring us into the Social Media world. Please contact Peggy.

The health of the Network depends on the joyful efforts of all who yearn to bring nonviolent consciousness to our region.
To learn more, email our volunteer coordinator.

 

Blades
by Marsha Fuller

Long summer days blend together as life springs forth to meet the sun.
Blades of grass reach for the sky in endless pursuit, steady and patient.

A deep yearning to cover the earth with soft lush beauty.

Grey clouds grace the sky as nature once again provides all we need.
Life itself falls onto the tired brown earth, healing, yes we will live, we will grow.

Roots reach down into the soil, a deep knowing, yes this is our purpose.

Comes the time of the reunion, buttercups, dandelions, clover, dance with us.
Bright colors cry out joy, once again we bloom, together in timeless beauty.

 

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