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Sonoma Valley Sun Articles
 NonViolent CommunicationGetting past our differences, awkward moments and estrangements 2-04-10“I haven’t spoken to my brother for months,” she said. “It must be almost a year by now. And he lives right here in Sonoma.”“Are you okay with that?”“No! It’s not okay. I try to forget about him, ... read more… I visited her Bija, she was abroad; now she’ll be in Sonoma 10-16-09Bija Vidyapeeth, an organic farm and learning center situated in the beautiful hills of the Himalayas in northern India, was founded by Vandana Shiva as an international school of sustainable living.Bija Vidyapeeth, translated “School of ... read more… No more enemies! 10-09-09Throughout the many hours I’ve invested during the past three years in intensive training in the process of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), I’ve learned and come to believe that in NVC consciousness, there is no such thing as an enemy. No... read more… Every scream represents an unmet need 7-03-09With the self-deprecating humor of a talented comedienne, Cindi Vian peppered her PowerPoint presentation with remarks that regaled her audience and at the same time established a direct connection among them regarding her very serious topic.I was on... read more… Young folks plead for intergenerational activism 2-20-09While we’re awed and thrilled to watch as the presidential campaign of Barack Obama mobilized young people in the political process, we also acknowledge a vital need to find ways to maintain that interest and energy now that their candidate has... read more… Non-violence speaks around the State 12-25-08For quite a long time, I have very much enjoyed public speaking, always on the lookout for new opportunities to share whatever knowledge I had on a subject that exceeded what people in the audience knew. However, this promised to be a speaking tour ... read more… Get a delicious taste of NonViolent Communication 11-14-08Yes, it’s the very last minute. Nonetheless, I am writing you today all the way from Jerusalem in Israel, to tell you I strongly believe you will feel greatly rewarded if you discard all your plans for tomorrow morning, Saturday, Nov. 15 and in... read more… A Minuteman in conversation with just joan 5-31-07A funny thing happened on the way to the broadcast studio. And the funny thing has a name. We call it compassionate communication. A member of the Minuteman Organization, Steve Giraud, had requested an opportunity to present alternative views afte... read more… Compassionate Communication (NVC) changes the conversation 3-15-07When I was a Camp Fire Girl, I enjoyed the craft activities, field trips and companionship of our weekly meetings, and especially loved spending a week every summer at Camp Tannadoonah in southern Michigan. When I had just turned 16, I spent the enti... read more… Speaking peace in Sonoma and around the globe 11-09-06Margaret Mead, renowned anthropologist of the previous century, said it well: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Five years ago, fou... read more… Come learn compassionate communication on Aug. 26 8-17-06Some months ago I was forwarding an e-mail message, not something I do often. I was selecting activist and/or Catholic folks to receive this news of an action by a group of Catholics. At my brother-in-law’s name, I hesitated. In the 50-some yea... read more… What’s underneath all those opposing viewpoints? 2-02-06It had to be done, but I kept putting it off. I wanted to make the phone call, but I was scared. I needed the information, but felt nervous about asking for it. Finally, when there was no time left to spare, I placed the call. I explained to Joe, ... read more… Come into my boxing ring and we’ll fight about peace 1-26-06When facilitators Martina and Marty met with me to plan a reconciliation dialogue, we agreed an important component would be offering two different models of a conversation between friends who are political opponents. This would require someone to pl... read more… Take out the garbage. Who, me? 12-29-05What might be the reaction when a little kid is asked to do something unpleasant? Catherine Cadden, an extraordinary peacemaker barely mentioned in last week’s column, knows the answer need not be the automatic response of habit. In October ... read more… Ten Extraordinary Peacemakers 12-22-05This was a tough assignment, to choose just ten. But here they are, in random order. Hearing him speak in San Rafael, I felt honored to be in his presence. Here was a doctor who treats AIDS patients back to robust health! In Haiti! In the land of ... read more… How to love a bomb-maker 11-10-05“I worked on the hydrogen bomb,” the man remarked, almost casually. Anne Symens-Bucher was somewhat stunned. After all, she had barely met the fellow and she had spent much of her adult lifetime opposing nuclear armament. Once past the in... read more… Nonviolence blurs the line between "us" and "them" 11-03-05In late winter of 1982, they went into the desert for 40 days to witness against nuclear violence. The Lenten experience, reminiscent of Jesus’ retreat into the desert nearly 2000 years earlier, included some 350 persons over the 40-day period.... read more… |
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