Conversations That Matter: The Nonviolent Heart, Personal Transformation
February 1 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
COST: $45
The world seems to be witnessing increasing levels of violence, fear and hatred that challenge us each day.
This workshop provides an opportunity to explore our own complicity in violence and the call to live from a non-violent heart. Join us to learn how deep listening offers awareness of the subtle forms of violence that arise in us, preoccupy our thinking, permeate our speech and taint our actions. Come discover “inner wisdom” that can offer hope for ourselves and our communities.
This workshop is designed to provide participants with potentially transformative communication skills, emphasizing both self-reflective and other-centered listening. In addition to explorations of the role of perception and empathy in meaningful dialogue, three listening ‘filters’ will be examined: internal monologue, socio-cultural bias and assumptions, and ego. Empowering ways of asking questions will also be discussed.
Speakers: Ike (Don) Jones, A formerly incarcerated man who is now working with incarcerated youth and Aronda Smith-Benson, an Iraqi Veteran who serves the resilience and healing of women Vets..
The workshop will conclude with a reflection on how to move from reactivity to meaningful dialogue.
Who is this program for?
Anyone who wishes to participate in a diverse community of learners with a passion for personal and social transformation.
At the end of the day you will be able to:
- Indentify core personal and social impediments to listening.
- Gain essential listening and speaking skills.
- Practice new, compassionate, ego-less communication.
- Converse with new friends from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
Conversations That Matter
The Conversations That Matter series provides opportunities for meaningful engagement of others through deep listening and contemplative dialog. The desired outcomes of these discussions are both the inner work of awakening to what is unconscious and hopeful action or the imagination of change within us and in our society.
This year’s theme explores nonviolence from personal and social perspectives.
Cost includes lunch. Some scholarship assistance available.
Facilitator
Sharon Browning
Sharon Browning is currently working on the JUST Listening Project, fostering social and personal change and transformation through just and effective communication.
Directions available at www.cranaleith.org
CRANALEITH SPIRITUAL CENTER
13475 Proctor Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116
215-934-6206