About two or three years ago I was the information technology coordinator for Center for Nonviolent Communication. I had the great privilege to sit in on board meetings with one of my hero's, Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. I was able to hear his insights and get a close look at the man. Looking back know, the biggest admiration I have of him was hearing his desire to see Nonviolent Communication taken beyond the realm of personal and interpersonal development. It took me many years to understand this message and see how it fits in the big picture. I often wonder if what Dr. Rosenberg was really desiring was for individuals practicing and teaching Nonviolent Communication to have a deep knowledge of critical consciousness.
I define critical consciousness as a consciousness practice of being aware of the amount of suffering, injustice and oppression being inflicted on the world. I see Nonviolent Communication as a frame work that allows us to put into practice the skills that will create connections and relationships that can have a deep impact on these injustices. And there for reducing suffering and the oppressive behaviors instilled in us and in systems designed to govern us. I imagine that someone with a developed degree of critical consciousness sees opportunities and acts as an agent of change and embraces social change as a way of life.