Living Nonviolent Communication: Practical Tools to Connect and Communicate Skillfully in Every Situation Hot

Living Nonviolent Communication is a great book that helps us to understand where communication can go wrong and what we can do to improve it. Its author, Marshall Rosenberg, is the founder of the Center for Nonviolent Communication and his work has taken him across the globe to initiate peace programs in war-torn countries. He uses the skills that he has gained to share with readers ways in which they can improve their lives with nonviolent communication.

Rosenberg's book looks at five key areas of communication; conflict resolution, healing and reconciliation, anger, loving relationships, raising children, and spiritual practice. He uses dialogue, role plays, and scenarios to give examples of communication and where it can be improved. Each chapter gives the reader simple tools and effective techniques to benefit their own relationships and interactions.

One core belief in Rosenberg's book is that we need to communicate our needs and listen to the needs of others rather than making judgements or refusing to really listen. Too often we don't hear what someone is trying to tell us or find it difficult to see what needs they are trying to defend. This book illuminates the process of communication, where it can go wrong and what you can do about it.

Written with an informal style and easy-to-follow techniques, Rosenberg has produced a book that can really make a difference to the way in which people communicate. As he says, "I hope it strengthens your awareness of the precious flow of communication that allows conflicts to be resolved so that everyone's needs are fulfilled."

Living Nonviolent Communication is more than a guide to good communication. It is a guide to a new way of living that can heal and transform relationships of all types. Author and clinical psychologist, Marshall Rosenberg, has created a process of communication that brings practitioners out of the reactions of their past and into the present moment so they may respond to the current situation in a peaceful way. Nonviolent communication is a method that suggests deciphering the needs behind any reaction or emotion and responding empathically, so ideally all parties involved in any type of dispute may find peace. This book not only outlines the process of nonviolent communication, but also provides readers with role playing examples in areas such as healing and reconciliation, loving relationships, and working with anger, so they may further understand how it can be used in a real conversation.

While reading this book I had several “aha” moments where everything seemed to click and I could see how I can apply this in my everyday life. I did struggle with the some of the language in the role-playing as it felt somewhat scripted and unnatural, but I can certainly see the benefits of practicing this type of communication. In a world where war is considered a solution to conflict and violence seems to be a way of life for some, nonviolent communication is greatly needed. I invite readers to explore an alternative to our traditional conflict resolution methods in Living Nonviolent Communication.