Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life

“I was struck by the crucial role of language and our use of words. I have since identified a specific approach to communicating—speaking and listening—that leads us to give from the heart, connecting us with ourselves and with each other in a way that allows our natural compassion to flourish.”

Rosenberg emphasizes the importance of language in the way we understand and relate to the world. He explains that we can harness language, our own and others, to create genuine connection. The theme, Compassion as Natural, Conflict as Unnatural, is referred to in his explanation that NVC allows compassion—which is conceived of as “natural”—to “flourish.”

“NVC is founded on language and communication skills that strengthen our ability to remain human, even under trying conditions.”

Rosenberg believes that NVC allows us to remain human; Rosenberg identifies kindness and compassion as cornerstones of our humanity, to which we can reconnect through NVC, even when challenging circumstances encourage us to act in conditioned ways, toward violence and anger. The tone is empowering and hopeful.

“When we focus on clarifying what is being observed, felt, and needed rather than on diagnosing and judging, we discover the depth of our own compassion.”

Rosenberg continues to expound on the theme Compassion as Natural, Conflict as Unnatural. NVC moves us away from recrimination and toward understanding, allowing us to reconnect with our compassion, which has always been present but is overridden by societal conditioning that trains us to look for the shortcomings in others as the reasons for our own discontent.