This is one powerful book! I found it full of very helpful, relevant advice aimed at improving communications of all kinds. It is not a book to be read quickly; if you do so, you will miss the opportunity to absorb what is being said and you won't be able to apply the principles successfully.

This book happened to come to me at a time when a treasured relationship had become rife with hurt and misunderstandings. Interactions were difficult for fear of saying the wrong thing, or in the wrong way. I am so thankful that this book has wise ideas on how to deal with just such a situation!

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in better communications, better relationships, and self-improvement.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Shambhala for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I wish this had been around when I was younger. Women often feel like they need to skirt issues in order to keep the peace and this helps you find your voice.

What we say matters. This book came at a great time for me and was a powerful read of helpful advice based on the mindfulness practice, to have more positive communication. Words can heal, sooth or uplift us and they can also cause great harm.

Mindfulness is being aware of what is happening in the present moment in a balanced and non-reactive way. In order to connect mindfulness to your daily communication Sofer recommendations following these three basic guidelines...

1. Lead with presence.
2. Come from curiosity and care.
3. Focus on what matters.

I love the advice in this book and so many of the points have really stuck with me. I love the chapter that talked about self-awareness and how this can affect the communication we have with others. We need to show up for ourselves and others and sometimes taking a pause before speaking can really help with this. The more aware we are the more choices that we have. We also must have trust and confidence in our own voices.

I highly recommend this book and found so much of it helpful and relatable to my life. Thanks to NetGalley and Shambala Publications for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful book, that really speaks to the heart of non-violent communication. Excellent ideas and inspiration for those who seek to create a more peaceful world in their every day life.

New to meditation practice, I was intrigued when I heard about this book, and I'm glad I decided to pick it up! The practice that Oren Jay Sofer lays out in "Say What You Mean" is not easy to implement, but the tenets behind it: mindfulness & nonviolent communication are invaluable, especially considering the current political climate. I'm excited to begin trying out some of these practices myself, and I think everyone could benefit from reading and giving this a try!

“Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication” by Oren Jay Sofer is a book I’ve long needed to read, as my hubby says I can “never land the plane” when I’m speaking to him! I’m so glad I found this incredibly helpful guide for improved connection through better communications with others!

I learned to speak and listen more effectively based on the author's unique approach that mixes mindfulness practices with the principles of nonviolent communication, a popular modality since the 1960s that posits that all human beings have the capacity for compassion when peaceful strategies are at the ready.

Oren's method teaches three steps: presence, intention and attention. The steps are accompanied by practical exercises that direct readers on how to apply them to personal and social relationships with romantic partners, friends, colleagues, and family. Highly recommended!

Pub Date 11 Dec 2018

Thanks to Shambhala Publications, Inc. and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#SayWhatYouMean #NetGalley

This is a powerful, yet practical book that combines the practice of mindfulness with the methodologies of nonviolent communication as taught by Marshall Rosenberg, along with Somatic Experiencing as taught by Peter Levine. Each of these is effective and powerful and it’s own right, but this author weaves them together to for. Something new and transformative. He breaks the process down into three steps:
1. Lead with presence.
2. Come from curiosity and care.
3. Focus on what matters.

Each section focuses on one of these three steps in great detail because well each that might sound simple, it is definitely not always easy to communicate this way! The author compares learning new communication skills to learning a new language and urges us to take our time and follow the practical suggestions throughout the book.

I can honestly say that following the suggestions and “learning this new language“ is having a positive effect on my life and on my relationships.

With gratitude to NetGalley, the author and the author for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.