Learn and practice
nonviolent communication

Nonviolent Communication is a process of communication that helps us stay connected to our feelings and needs and the feelings and needs of others. It helps us to be compassionate with ourselves and others and helps us navigate the terrain of conflict. Eddie Zacapa is a certified trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC).

How the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Key Differentiations have supported my learning practices and teaching. Check out my other videos on each of the NVC key differentiations.

The Crazy 8 Model shows us how easily we get stuck when we get triggered and how we get caught up in a cycle. It also shows us how to get out of it and how to prevent falling into the cycle. Maureen Lowell presented this many years ago in a workshop and it has been most helpful to me and many others.

Eddie Zacapa - Author of Essentials for Cultivating Passionate Volunteers and Leaders. You can purchase a copy of the book at www.amazon.com or any online retailer and your local bookstore.

Understanding the difference between power over and power with and bringing awareness when we are acting out of power over or power with.

Understanding the difference between approaching life in a life connected way instead vs a life alienating manner.

Differentiating between an observation and an evaluation. This is one of the four components in nonviolent communication and key to being accurate with our words.

The difference between expressing a feeling and a thought. In nonviolent communication we share feelings and want to be careful to not mix in thought with our expression of our feelings.

Distinguishing the difference between needs and strategies and demands. Many times when we try to practice expressing our needs we mix them up with strategies and/or demands. When the latter is done it usually gets in the way of effective communication.

Distinguishing between requests and demands. In nonviolent communication we make requests instead of demands.

The difference between the Protective Use of Force vs the Punitive Use of Force.

In nonviolent communication we practice empathy. Empathy is not sympathy or identification. All of these are different things, but can all have some value.

Self-empathy is a very important practice in nonviolent communication and life in general. It is a refreshing practice that can transform the situation and our experience.

Differentiating the difference in regard to respect for authority and fear of authority.

The difference between choice and submission. To be in choice in any particular moment grants us true freedom.

Learning the difference between appreciation and praise and how appreciation can go much deeper and be much more accurate and meaningful.

Many times, people will say, “I am just being honest.” Yet, what they share may be an opinion that they are putting out there like if it is a fact.

There are negative implications to using moralistic judgments and they usually get in the way of effective communication. Yet, it can be helpful when we distinguish between moralistic judgments and value judgments because value judgments allow us to express our values in situations.

Many times, we are discouraged to share our heart and be vulnerable under the guise that it is weakness. Eddie talks about the reasons why vulnerability takes courage and makes sense to share.

If you have ever wondered the difference between all of these terms that are used in nonviolent communication this video helps differentiate them.

Differentiating between stimulus and cause in situations.

Practicing presence as we sense what others might be feeling or needing instead of telling people what they are feeling and needing or assuming others are thinking judgmental thoughts.

In nonviolent communication we practice guessing feelings and needs. This is very different from telling someone we know how they feel or what they need.

What someone may mean when they ask the question, “Do you love me?” Gain some insight in this short video.