I want to try out some of the tools you’ve discussed and think about what gets in the biggest way for me when I try to be in NVC consciousness. I think I’ve identified a big one: expectations. My mind throws up ideals–which I’ve always felt were a key part of me, part of my identity, these ideals, and so I didn’t want to let them go. And yet they interfere with being present. They become roadblocks instead of roadmaps. And yet they represent needs that I want to honor.

I identify with your writing “Sometimes I feel pretty lonely with my story that there aren’t many people who want to explore at this level.” I feel that loneliness too sometimes, and a frustration. I’m trying to understand how I can honor that need in myself and meet it without going to expectation land (or resignation). Getting beyond the story and just being present with the feelings/needs is good. I feel a lot of sadness and a longing to be understood and met at a deep level.

I love your idea of the compassion laboratory!

You asked if your summary captured what I’m wanting. Yes. As much for my own healing as for wanting to be able to interact with more ease with others. Well, both of those things and they are intertwined. I long to feel deeply safe in the world.

I am very inspired by your playing with the ways to teach NVC. The question of how to teach NVC is often on my mind (needs for efficiency and wanting to see it taught effectively to as many people as possible!). So I am happy to read about your wanting to see NVC evolve and be alive. That matches my ideas about it too.

Yay!

I also wanted to share my teacher’s site and her newsletter page:
http://www.wiseheartpdx.org/newsletter.php
She has her weekly newsletter in PDF.
The issue “It’s not about NVC” is apropos. =) Its Sep 19 2006.