Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication
8-week LIVE online course, Part II
January 18 – March 14, 2024*
Thursdays, 4:00-5:30 pm PT / 7:00-8:30 pm ET
* Skips Thursday, February 22
This course is now closed for registration.
About the Course
This 8-week online course is part two 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 I covers foundational material on presence, relational awareness, intention, listening, and empathy from the first half of the book. Part II explores skills for clear, open, and honest self-expression, as well as more advanced skills like navigating conversations and handling challenging situations. It is designed to support you to bring the foundational principles and practices of Say What You Mean into your daily life and relationships. Learn more about Part III here.
This will be the last time Oren teaches this course live; all subsequent versions of this course will be pre-recorded. This is not an introductory class (see below for pre-requisites). With expert guidance from the author, you’ll learn ways to:
Express yourself clearly and directly, leaving room for others’ input
Make powerful requests to move towards creative solutions
Find your ground and recover when activated, upset, or triggered
Develop more fluency with the Nonviolent Communication model
Consolidate your learning for ongoing practice and integration
Certificates of Completion and Professional Teacher Credits are available for this course. Scholarships are available. Continuing Education Credits (CECs) are not available.
About registration: If you want to take both Part II and Part III of the course, you can register for both at a special discounted, bundle price. See below for details.
““I cannot recommend this class enough! I thought I had a good handle on communication skills, but now realize how my approach and response to others can greatly improve for both understanding and real connection.””
““I’ve taken this course several times, each time I gain so much insight! I used to turn away from conflict, afraid of what I’d say, and how defensive I’d feel. I no longer avoid those situations. I’m learning to embrace meeting difficult conversations with curiosity. I feel more confident I can listen, speak and understand without taking things personally.””
““I started this course because I sensed the book held too much wisdom for me to process alone. I was seeking a book club format but this was so much more. The classes provide deeper context to the content in the book and the forum and buddies help us put the work into practice. This work has transformed the way I interact in my work setting and with my friends and family. I feel so much more clear and grounded in my communication.””
About the Course
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
WHO'S IT FOR?
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. For all other questions, please review our FAQ.
Pre-requisites
This is not an introductory course. Please register only if by the first session of the course you will have completed at least 9 hours of prior training in Nonviolent Communication, including an experiential practice component. Reading about NVC (including Oren's book “Say What You Mean”), doing academic course of study in NVC, taking a day-long workshop, Buddhist practice, and/or meditation retreats are not sufficient preparation for this Part II course.
Examples of appropriate prior experience include:
Part I of the “Say What You Mean” 8-week online course (2022 or 2023)
Oren's other online communication courses: “Say What You Mean” 12-week course (2019, 2020, or 2021); “Authentic Communication” 6-week course (2019, 2020, or 2021), or “Wise Speech: Introduction to Mindful Communication” 6-week course (2020, 2021, 2023)
One of the multi-day “Mindful Communication: Wise Speech” retreats co-facilitated by Oren and colleague Donald Rothberg (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, or 2019)
One of the multi-day “Relational Dharma” retreats led by Oren at Spirit Rock or Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
The Living Peace Retreat or BayNVC Immersion Program, co-facilitated by Oren and colleague Roxy Manning (2019–2023, or prior years with other trainers)
Any other equivalent 9+ hour training in NVC with an experiential component, such as a 6 or 8-week introductory course, or a multi-day intensive retreat
If you don’t already own a copy of Oren’s book, Say What you Mean, please get a copy before the course begins. You can order it online here, borrow it from a library, or purchase it from most local bookstores. Our course will begin with chapter 10. If you haven’t already read chapters 1-9 please do so, ideally before the course begins or as soon as possible once it starts.
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!””
““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.””
““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.””
Logistics & Registration
Tuition, Part II Only: $300 (buddy/group discounts and scholarships available)
Tuition, Parts II & III Bundle: $500 for Parts II & III (save $100)
this course is now closed for registration
To join Oren’s next course, please learn more here.
“The most mindful, thoughtful and well-organized online training I’ve ever done, presented by a teacher who is kind and incredibly skillful.”
“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.”
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.””
““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!””
““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.””
““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.””
““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.””
““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.””
““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.””
““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.””
