Speak Your Truth with Love and Listen Deeply

A Training in Mindfulness-Based Nonviolent Communication

By: Oren Jay Sofer

Narrated by: Oren Jay Sofer

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Integrating mindfulness with Nonviolent Communication, this course helps us foster kind and effective conversation in our relationships.

When dialogue is reduced to pushing our views, scoring points, or assigning blame, everybody suffers—no matter who “wins” or “loses” an argument. In our personal lives and in the world today, we need tools for authentic, respectful, relationship-building communication more than ever. “If you want to stop arguing and start connecting,” says Oren Jay Sofer, “the first prerequisite is being more present and aware.” Now this renowned teacher shares his most effective teachings for transforming the way we communicate with Speak Your Truth with Love and Listen Deeply.

As a student of Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s proven methods of Nonviolent Communication, Sofer has learned that the critical first step to authentic connection is the ability to remain present even when emotions are running high. “Our words and actions have the power to hurt or to help,” he teaches. “The ways we think, speak, and listen shape our world—and it all starts right here in our own heart and mind.”

In these eight audio sessions, this groundbreaking teacher explores:

• Foundational mindfulness practices to help you stay calm, centered, and curious
• Defining needs and intentions—the crucial step to turn an argument into a productive dialogue
• How to handle emotions—recognizing and honoring feelings
• Empathy for ourselves and others—the healing potential of deep listening
• Bringing wisdom to our core limiting beliefs and patterns of conflict
• Finding your voice—speaking the truth with love
• Making requests instead of demands—and finding a way forward when someone says “no”
• Three key skills for navigating difficult conversations, and much more

“Communication is at the heart of our lives—personally, professionally, and spiritually,” teaches Sofer. Speak Your Truth with Love and Listen Deeply is a powerful training in what may be the most important skill we can develop to transform our lives, our relationships, and our divided world.

©2022 Oren Jay Sofer (P)2022 Sounds True

Finding my Voice

My journey with Oren started two years ago with his guided meditations, Say What You Mean (audio)book and the September 2020 course.
Lonely, hurt, angry and with a lot of resentment I couldn’t talk to the few people in my life without them getting defensive, even though I only wanted to be understood (not really to blame and especially not to hurt). It was a very painful time, especially because no one could do with me what I heard Oren talk about, which I desperately wanted: to listen to others with curiosity and not getting entangled in the blame that might come with what they say. I was also clearly not able to listen to others like this. But at least now I knew what I wanted.
Even though Oren talks of making small changes, I’ve always been harsh to myself “for not putting in enough work”. And still, today, listening to this audiobook, I am filled with gratitude, for through time, and at times keeping it in the back burner, I am feeling way more spacious, capable of knowing myself, of expressing my needs. My relationship with my mom has become close and warm, with one brother there’s much more ease, with my dad it has opened up. I have friends, and just less than three weeks ago I dared make a request for something that would truly help me (move out of my room and stay with a friend for a week). It all worked out beautifully and I am very grateful to them, but I am incredibly grateful to myself, for having the courage to ask and for trusting myself, my gut feeling. I am grateful to Oren, because through his words and wisdom, courses and guided meditations, I have slowly, but steadily grown into the direction I so desired, two years ago, as I first found his voice. He has helped me to find my own voice, and even though I have not yet finished this audiobook, and I’m just getting started with learning all he has to offer, I have finally felt the need and the voice to express how incredibly helpful his work (and this training in particular, today) has been for shifting my life around, finding my courage, my strength, and giving myself tender space.

If you need some help or guidance navigating relationships, or you find yourself in a dark spot, listen to the preview and if you find comfort, like I did, in Oren’s voice, trust yourself and go for it. And may it bring you peace and some sense of direction.

Thank you Oren, for putting into words, written and spoken, all the work you have done, tenderness, vulnerability, wisdom and guidance you have gained, so we too can lead a better, more connected and fulfilled life. I look forward to continuing to learn from you.