Embracing and Transforming Conflict

“I will do everything in my power to resolve every conflict, however small.” - Thich Nhat Hanh How much time and energy do you spend avoiding conflict and at what cost? Conflict is an inevitable part of life and yet we have come to see it as a bad thing, something to be avoided, something that creates pain and disconnection. I’ve spent years working with and around conflict, and I still find it challenging sometimes, but I have come to realise that is a necessary and valuable part of life because it tells me when something isn't working, and that attention, connection and possibly change are needed. Avoiding conflict doesn’t really work, because I live with continual unease and disconnection and find myself pushing away people that I care about. Or I put up with things for so long that when I do express myself, it comes out as angry and judgemental and that just feeds the conflict. Sound familiar? I’ve discovered that when I step towards conflict and pay attention, it can bring inner transformation, connection, discovery, and growth. Within any conflict is a gift trying to be given. If we can change our mindset about conflict, we are better placed to receive that gift. I see conflict as something that belongs to the community AND there is much I can do as an individual to walk towards and transform conflict. Join us in Manchester to explore ways to step towards conflict, embrace it and use its message to help you to live a full and meaningful life, without losing connection with yourself or others. Register here: https://goo.gl/forms/HLYwypSkjqI7eRk62 This 2-day workshop will cover topics such as: • Deepening your awareness of what happens to you in conflict situations and taking care of yourself when conflict arises • Inner conflict • Transforming Enemy images • Learning what conflict is trying to tell us • Communicating with care and staying in connection when conflict arises • How to be around intensity and stay in empathy for self and other • Getting all the needs on the table • Protective use of force Prerequisite for this course: 2-day Foundation Training in Nonviolent Communication or equivalent About Sarah: I had a background in mediation and conflict resolution before I came across NVC in 2001. My interest in conflict has continued to develop alongside my NVC practice and I am now part of the Conflict Transformation Weave - a group of NVC trainers exploring how to create agreements and process for responding to conflict within the NVC Community in the UK. I have been sharing Nonviolent Communication since 2006 and am a certified trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC). Financial Contribution • Contribution Requested: £100 (concession) / £150 (full price) / £200 (gift price - pay this amount if you would like to support someone with less financial resources to attend the course). Location: Manchester (Venue TBC)