In Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Cat’s Cradle, the religion Bokononism includes the concept of a “karass” – a group of people who, often unknowingly, work together to do god’s will. I’ve enjoyed association with a number of karasses over the years, of which NVC stands out.
A meeting with Christine King in 2005 introduced me to the spiritual nature of NVC, followed by attendance at Marshall Rosenberg’s workshops in Santa Cruz, which led to an ongoing variety of NVC classes, etc.
Guided by Christine King to engage in CIA (Compassion In Action), I provided weekly “free empathy” sessions with GROK cards* on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz, CA, from 2008 until 2020.
I also serve on the NVCSC Board of Directors and co-facilitate a Zoom session “NVC as a Spiritual Practice” on Friday mornings.
Living NVC has given me the gift of deep and treasured connections with family, friends, partners, clients and associates, and encourages me to practice presence, compassion, empathy, honesty, and humor.
* GROK (originally found in Robert Heinlein’s “Stranger in a Strange Land”) became a set of cards and games to enhance communication skills, created by Jean Morrison and Christine King of Galloping Giraffe Enterprises.