1-Day Courageous Communication Workshop
with Peggy Smith
Saturday, March 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Buddha taught "Right Speech" in the Noble Eighfold Path. How can this ancient ethical guideline help us cultivate happiness and connection in our lives? Join us for a day-long workshop to explore the tools of loving speech and deep listening (Fourth Mindfulness Training). Learn communication techniques to bring back to your family, workplace, and community. Why courageous communication? The root of the word courage is cor, the latin word for heart.
The day will include sitting, walking, and eating meditation, as well as a talk about neuroscience and self-regulation, to further support the learning and exploration. Nonviolent Communication tools will be practiced as helpful strategies for manifesting the Buddha’s teachings.
Please bring a bag lunch.
Level: Everyone is welcome.
Registration: Kindly complete payment below or contact Rachel at [email protected] or 594-1694 to register and discuss other payment options.
Note: The Dancing Elephant is by donation so that everyone can participate. Donations in any amount are graciously appreciated.
Peggy Smith is an ordained Dharma Teacher in the Plum Village Tradition. She was ordained into the Order of Interbeing by Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and received a Lamp Transmission from him in 2014. She is in the 42nd generation of the Linji Dhyana School and the 8th generation of the Lieu Quan Dharma Line. Peggy was a school teacher for 32 years and is a certified trainer of Nonviolent Communication.
Kelly Richards’ fascination with Buddhism began in the 1970’s. Her experience of nature drawing echoed the Zen of Seeing: paying attention to twigs, seed pods, or vistas brought deep calm. As a school teacher, Kelly offered that same peace to her students, encouraging them to learn through their senses in a classroom filled with natural objects, artifacts, and good smells. Supported by the Shambhala Buddhist path, Kelly has had a daily meditation practice since 2005. She is a certified Cognitively-Based Compassion Training instructor and has taught meditation to children since 2006. Kelly helped create “SEE Learning,” a K-12 curriculum for compassion-based ethics. She and her husband retired to Vinalhaven in 2014, where she teaches mindfulness to children and adults. Kelly feels deep gratitude for the natural beauty and the close bonds of the community.
Rachel Nixon was first introduced to Buddhist teachings in 1999 through Pema Chödrön's writings. Over the years, she has developed a personal meditation practice and has trained at Shambhala Centers in the U.S. and Canada, as well as the Insight Meditation Society in MA. Rachel attended the seven-week Winter Yarne Retreat with Ani Pema at Gampo Abbey in 2019-2020. She is trained as a Shambhala Path Meditation Instructor and k-12 Mindful Schools Educator. Rachel loves to teach meditation and explore the Buddhist teachings with people of all ages. She also enjoys to sailing, swimming, and going on adventures with her family.