The Interspirituality of Non-Violent Communication

As I sit in the non-violent communication (NVC) training, I am pondering any difficulties that I have with anyone who is not like me.  I ask myself if there are individuals or groups of which I’ve made “static assessments” or written off because their differences seem too great for me to resolve.  According to NVC, every action an enemy takes is an expression of feelings and needs.  When my needs are critically unmet, I can make an enemy of others.  Maybe I have lacked in historical competence because I do not know their cultural history.  Or perhaps I lack understanding or hope for change.

Rather than humanizing the other, I have demonized and diminished them, creating distance between them and me.  Accessing empathy and self-empathy lessens the distance and creates connection to meet both of our needs.

Non-violent communication (NVC) was developed by Marshall Rosenberg in the 1960s.  At once a communication practice, a spirituality practice, and a peace organization, NVC is deeply interspiritual.  NVC practitioners see the other as sacred and having dignity; they see themselves in the same way.  They practice mutual seeing – hearing each other at the core – and mutual assisting – giving and receiving without coercion and with freedom and gratitude. 

The main intention of NVC is greater understanding and connection with the self and others related to needs.  NVC defines needs as qualities that contribute to the flourishing of life – needs are ultimately the point of connection.  A non-exhaustive list of needs has been created that fall under categories such as connection, physical well-being, honesty, play, peace, meaning, and autonomy.  The key is being aware of my needs, being aware of your needs, and believing and living like each of our needs matters. 

NVC is an interspiritual practice that offers a way to communicate what is alive in me (self-expression), connect with what’s alive in me (self-connection), and connect with what’s alive in you (empathy).  It is a movement away from judgments, labels, demands, no choices, and towards  inter-connection and intra-connection.

Even though I don’t fully comprehend the depth of compassion that exists in me, in you, in the world, I believe that what is required in this new era is, as Wayne Teasdale wrote, for religious and spiritual traditions to “pool their treasures of the spirit”.  To any historical or current enemy: What gem do you bring to our open table?

Jeanette Banashak, PhD., EdD.

---