SHOW INTRODUCTION:
Today I’ll be talking with Oren Jay Sofer, retreat and workshop leader on mindful communication, a member of the Spirit Rock Teacher’s Council, and the author of a beautiful new book on mindfulness and non-violent communication skills, Say What You Mean.
And that’s just what I want to talk with him about today, about how to find your voice, speak your truth and listen deeply.
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MORE ON OREN JAY SOREN:
Oren has practiced meditation in the Theravada Buddhist tradition since 1997, beginning his studies in Bodh Gaya, India with Anagarika Munindra and Godwin Samararatne. He is a long-time student of Joseph Goldstein, Michele McDonald, and Ajahn Sucitto, and a graduate of the IMS – Spirit Rock Vipasanna Teacher Training. Oren is also author of the book Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication, a practical guidebook for having more effective, satisfying conversations.
Oren first became interested in contemplative practice in high school, when he picked up a little book called The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff. He went on to complete a degree in Comparative Religion from Columbia University, and later spent two and a half years of living as an Anagarika (renunciate) at branch monasteries in the Ajahn Chah Thai Forest lineage. Today, his teaching combines classical Buddhist training with the accessible language of secular mindfulness.
Since the early 2000s, Oren has had a deep interest in the relationship between contemplative practice and communication. A graduate of the BayNVC North American Leadership Training, he has taught classes and workshops in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication (NVC) nationally since 2006. His innovative retreats and online programs in Mindful Communication offer one of the only opportunities in the U.S today to explore the intersection between formal meditation practice, Right Speech and NVC.
Oren’s work is also informed by his professional training in Somatic Experiencing (SE) for healing trauma, his personal practice of Qi Gong and Hanna Somatics. His teaching is known for its clarity, warmth, and its emphasis on embodiment.
Oren is the founder and Guiding Teacher of Next Step Dharma, an innovative online course focused on bringing the tools of meditation to daily life, and co-founder of Mindful Healthcare. He is a CNVC Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication, a member of the Spirit Rock Teacher Council, and visiting teacher at the Insight Meditation Society. Oren has served as the Senior Program Developer for Mindful Schools, teaching and developing curricula for one of the international leaders of Mindfulness in Education, and has created online mindfulness programs for many groups including 10% Happier.
Key Topics:
- What was Oren Jay Sofer’s early life like, and the trauma he experienced?
- How did he turn to India and Buddhism?
- What was Oren’s fascinating with language?
- What did Oren learn from Thich Nhat Hanh?
- What is Thich Nhat Hanh’s “right speech”?
- What is non-violent communication?
- How’d the idea to bring meditation to non-violent communication?
- What is somatic experiencing?
- Why does kindness often disappear in conversation?
- What is mindful communication?
- How does mindfulness give us back our lives?
- How do we cultivate presence?
- What can we learn from Godwin Samararatne about “where does it hurt”?
- What’s the anacronym “WAIT stand for”?
- What’s the importance of “space” in a conversation?
- What’s the important of a pause and what does that mean?
- What does kindness and compassion toward oneself mean for conversation?
- What’s the zulu greeting Sawubona mean for us?
- What’s the importance of consciously choosing our intention?
- What can we learn from Daryl Davis about his communication with the KKK?
- What’s enlightened self-interest and what’s its importance?
- What’s the importance of curiosity and care?
- What can we learn from Aikido teacher Terry Dobson about non-violent communication?
- What’s the importance of being aware of our emotions?
- To find out more visit: OrenJaySofer.com or text 44222 and type the word GUIDED
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