Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication

8-week LIVE online course, Part I
October 19 – December 14, 2023*
THURSDAYS, 4:00-5:30 pm PT / 7:00-8:30 pm ET

* Skips November 23rd

Registration for this course is now closed.

About the Course

We spend our lives communicating. Every day, in every area of our lives, we are relating to others, to ourselves, and to the world. How much skill have we developed for this essential area of our lives? Are we simply running on automatic, relying on old habits and hoping for the best?

This 8-week online course is part one of a three-part Mindful Communication series based on Oren’s book, Say What You Mean. Oren’s integrated approach draws directly from his training in early Buddhism, the work of Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication, and Dr. Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing. 

Part one of this three-part series is designed to support you to bring the foundational principles and practices of Say What You Mean into your daily life and relationships. It will be followed by a second 8-week course in January, 2024, and a third one in April, 2024. With expert guidance from the author, you’ll learn ways to:

  • Feel confident during conversations

  • Stay focused on what really matters in any interaction

  • Reduce anxiety before and during difficult conversations

  • Listen for the authentic concerns behind another’s words

  • Strengthen your capacities for resilience and empathy

Drawing upon the disciplines of mindfulness meditation, Nonviolent Communication, and somatic methods for embodiment and healing, this course offers concrete tools to transform your communication habits and improve your life’s relationships. Through a combination of mindfulness practices, guided reflections, and interactive exercises, you’ll develop more confidence and presence, greater access to compassion, and more versatile, clear communication.

Certificates of Completion and Professional Teacher Credits are available for this course, but Continuing Education Credits (CECs) are not available.

* Registration for this course is now closed *

““What I’ve learned from Oren has made communication in every aspect of my life more satisfying.””
— Jan McClure, Registered Nurse
““An exceptional class for anyone interested in building capacity to achieve win-win outcomes and a more compassionate world. Highly recommend this fun, engaging, rewarding and well structured course.””
— Crystal Johnson, IT Manager
““I loved Oren’s online course… It has given me insights into my own communication style and many practical strategies to improve my conversations.””
— Yin Mee Cheah, Educational Consultant

a special three-part series

In 2023-2024, Oren will teach a series of three live 8-week online courses. This will be the last time he teaches these courses live; all subsequent versions of these courses will be pre-recorded. Register early for the series and receive a substantial discount. (You may also pay as you go and register for each course separately at full price.)

  • Part I: Thursdays, October 19 – December 14, 2023

  • Part II: Thursdays, January 18 – March 14, 2024

  • Part III: Thursdays, April 4 – May 30, 2024

Say What You Mean, Part I: Part I covers the first half of Oren’s book, including core principles and practices for presence, listening, and self-empathy. These skills form the foundation of any effective conversation and provide a framework for the rest of the training. Registration for Part I and discounted bundles for the series opens August 4. (Scroll down to learn more about Part I.)

Say What You Mean, Part II: Part II covers the second half of Oren’s book. It explores how to express yourself clearly and directly, as well as more advanced skills like navigating conversations and handling challenging situations. Part II will support you to bring the foundational principles and practices of “Say What You Mean” into your daily life and relationships. Note: this course has a pre-requisite of part I or equivalent. You can register for Parts I and II as a bundle beginning August 4th. Otherwise, registration for Part II as a stand-alone course opens December 1. Learn more about Part II here.

Say What You Mean, Part III — Authentic Communication: Part III of the series takes a deeper look at the barriers and supports for expressing ourselves openly and honestly without blame and judgment. You’ll learn essential skills for making requests and setting limits, as well as handling and expressing anger. Previously six weeks, we’ve expanded part III to a full 8-week course with no pre-requisite. You can register for the entire series (Parts I, II, and III) as a bundle beginning August 4th. Otherwise, registration for Part III as a stand-alone course opens March 1. Learn more about Part III here.

Continue scrolling to learn more about Part I…

About Say What You Mean, Part I

Each Live, 90-minute session includes:

  • Teachings on a key aspect of interpersonal communication

  • Guided meditations on cognitive, emotional, and somatic aspects of communication

  • Live coaching and demonstrations of tools

  • Interactive Q&A with the author and course assistants

What else You Receive:

  • Certificate of Completion (12 hrs training in Mindful Communication)

  • Access to online Q&A and correspondence with the author

  • Weekly practice assignments and journal topics

  • Optional weekly calls with a practice buddy

  • Lifetime access to course video and audio recordings

  • Professional Semester Units/Credits for teachers

  • Download course syllabus

Who's it for?

This course is appropriate for those newer to Nonviolent Communication as well as for experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their skills. Oren’s students include: psychologists, therapists, doctors, nurses and healthcare practitioners, chaplains, teachers, writers, artists, life coaches, lawyers, police, engineers, civil servants, and many more. For information about Professional Teacher Credits, please see here.

Frequently Asked QUestions

Have questions? See our FAQ here.

Course Trainers

COURSE LEADER

Oren Jay Sofer, a CNVC Certified Nonviolent Communication Trainer, teaches workshops and retreats on meditation and communication internationally. His teaching emphasizes how awareness practice and communication training deepen one another in a synergistic manner. He holds a degree in Comparative Religion from Columbia University and is certified as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for healing trauma. Oren is a husband, a father, and the author of several books including the best-selling title, Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication, and the forthcoming title, Your Heart Was Made For This.


ASSISTANT TRAINER

Passionate about healing – ourselves, intergenerationally, and the world – Ranjana (Ranji) Ariaratnam has shared NVC with families, teachers, activists, schools, and social service organizations via workshops, retreats, and mediation since 2009. Ranji worked for years overseas in humanitarian aid with people displaced by conflict. Now she brings together approaches that are very healing in her own life – NVC, painting and writing, somatic practices, and Vipassana meditation – each addressing different layers of our being. She lives on Vancouver Island.

ASSISTANT TRAINER

David Johnson spent years overseas as a humanitarian aid worker. A few years after being introduced to NVC he returned to North America and immersed himself in the study of NVC as part of his exploration of practices that address the roots of violence and suffering. He has seen how NVC supports him as part of a couple and in all aspects of his life, and has shared NVC with families, schools, activists, and social service organizations via workshops, retreats, and mediation since 2011. He lives on Vancouver Island.

““Oren’s online course was one of the best learning experiences in my 30+ year career!””
— Stace Williams, Leadership Development Consultant
““Oren is a master facilitator. His class will teach you how to manage conflict, embody empathy, and connect with what really matters in every situation.””
— Joshua Berkowitz, Mindful Instructor
““Oren’s course was a complete game changer for me, and I can’t stop recommending it to everyone who will listen... It’s improved my work, my son and I have a healthier relationship, and my marriage is stronger and so full of love.””
— Rosanna Stephens, Knowledge Manager, Technology Corporations

Logistics & Registration

Registration for this course

is now closed.

““The most mindful, thoughtful and well-organized online training I’ve ever done, presented by a teacher who is kind and incredibly skillful.””
— Kelly, Writer and Yoga Teacher
““All the communication training you need to improve everything in your life, taught by a highly skilled expert and inspiring human who leads by example every step of the way.

Do whatever you can to learn from Oren. Worth every penny from your pocket and every minute of your time.””
— Tracy Masington, Psychotherapist & Mindfulness Instructor

testimonials about oren’s online courses

““The combination of mindfulness and communication skills in Oren’s course dramatically shifted how I engage in conversation. What I’ve learned ... has had an enormous impact on my life in both my personal and professional relationships.””
— Dr. Patricia L. Huertas, MD
““Oren creates a warm spirit of community through his from-the-heart lectures, interactive Q&A, role playing, the online forum and his encouragement to practice regularly. I will definitely be signing up for his next class!””
— Jackie Berner, Meditation Instructor
““The skills I developed studying with Oren have been extremely valuable in both my professional and personal interactions ... I can’t recommend his highly beneficial trainings enough.””
— Dr. Michael Aanavi, PhD, LAc
““Oren Jay Sofer is a generous, insightful, and skilled individual who embodies what he teaches. This made learning fun, relevant, and satisfying. I increased my sensitivity for listening, and discovered a capacity for more empathy and ease with myself and others. Human communication is complex and this course demystified some of that complexity for me, helping me relax around the challenge of releasing old habits and embracing new ones.””
— Amy Ward Brimmer, Wellness Educator and Somatics Practitioner
““This class was amazing! Rich with real life examples and role play, the live group calls were extremely helpful in illustrating how to incorporate the skills and teachings into daily life. I feel so grateful for this training.””
— Tanya Hawkins, Mindfulness Practitioner
““Oren’s teachings and guided practices have strengthened my ability to care for myself and others when communication becomes a challenge. I am more present and intentional in my relationship with myself and others, which widens my perspective and enriches my experience.””
— Maya Schofield, Elementary Public School Teacher
““In his book and course, Oren’s teaching style is vibrant, relevant and so supportive as we try and find our way in this complicated, challenging world.””
— Lauri Flick-Harty, MA, LPC, Psychotherapist
““This online course is exceptional! It provides invaluable information for creating better communication skills… evokes profound insight, and the cultivation of a wise heart to our relationships.””
— Marsha J. Gehl, DC