Books that Discuss Comunication Skills
Related to the Understanding of Compassion
Last Updated:
June, 2007
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Title: Nonviolent Communication: A language of life
Author: Marshall B. Rosenberg
Publisher/Date: PuddleDancer Press, 2003
Book Summary: There are several links on this website presenting "nonviolent communication" side-by-side with the term compassion.  The author starts the book with defining NVC as a way of communicating that leads us to give from the heart and adds, "What I want in my life is compassion, a flow between myself and others based on mutual giving from the heart." The basic components of NVC are 1) observing without evaluating or judging, 2) identifying and expressing feelings with honesty and owning responsibility, 3) hearing needs with empathy and emptiness, and 4) requesting that which would enrich life. Some empathy listening skills are discussed (focused attention, paraphrasing, and refrain from "fixing").  The book includes stories and exercises, a discussion of self-compassion and what might be considered its strength - examples of using compassionate communication in difficult situations.
Comments:  This book has its place in the movement toward a culture of compassion, and that is to offer basic introductory listening skills that can be tied to compassion.  The risk is that the skills can become seperate from the process of becoming compassionate.  Because of this book's introductory nature it is to be expected that advanced aspects of compassion development are not discussed.  There is little discussion that can be related to the 8 basic assumptions of compassion, other than the author offers an introduction to the very first steps.  This is something that needs to be part of the communal information on compassion.
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Comments below address the basic
assumptions of compassion -> -> -> ->
Reviewer:  Dr. David Hoisington
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