A training in nonviolent communication will be held the weekend of November 3 – 5 in Silver City, according to a news release issued by the Silver City Food Co-op and Lotus Center. The training will follow the principles set forth in the book Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life by psychologist Marshall Rosenberg.

The timing of the workshop offering is ideal, says Karen Starz, a certified nonviolent communication trainer, and president of New Mexico Network for Nonviolent Communication.

“For many of us, our world feels more volatile than ever,” says Starz. “Political, social, and economic conditions and dialog seem intense and polarized like never before. Many of us wonder what we, individually, can do to bridge the gap of our wide-ranging views and to invite more civil exchanges. Now more than ever, our communities need nonviolent communication.”

Nonviolent Communication, or NVC, is a process for creating a quality of connection out of which people more easily resolve conflicts, prevent misunderstandings, and tap into a natural generosity that happens spontaneously when relationships are positive, according to the news release. NVC seeks to move away from communications that include judging others, blaming, finger pointing, discriminating, speaking without listening, criticizing, name-calling, using political rhetoric, being defensive or judging who’s “good/bad” or what’s “right/wrong.” In short, the NVC method of communication seeks to preempt acting in ways that result in hurt or harm, the news release says.

Starz, who will be teaching the workshop, says that virtually anyone can benefit from NVC communication methods.

“Teenagers, elders, and everyone in between can benefit from this training,” Starz says. “No matter a person’s ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or political affiliation, there are invaluable takeaways to be had with this system of communication. Bridge building can result through improved communications. Ultimately, I think this is a fundamental objective of the hosts of this training.”

The cost of the workshop is based on a sliding scale, ranging from $70 to $30, according to the news release. The registration fee includes a copy of Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life. Complete information on the training, including a registration page, can be found at www.LotusCenterSC.org/Events/ . For general information on NVC, please visit www.KarenStarz.com .