08-16-23: Myra Walden,

Self-Empathy & Self-Empowerment

00:01:59 – Sean introduces Myra Walden and Bob Wentworth

00:06:00 – Introduction from Myra

00:09:01 – Inner silence meditation led by Myra

00:17:18 – Reflections after the guided meditation

00:21:10 – Why we want to share this with you (self-empathy and self-empowerment process)

00:21:58 – Bob opens up about his journey (depression, searching for what could make life more satisfying, nonviolent communication and loving kindess)

00:26:18 – Myra opens up about her experience and her desire to share nonviolent communication (NVC) for the rest of her life

00:29:08 – A mini meditation: What gets in the way of loving yourself unconditionally?

00:32:24 – Goals for the session – the process of self-empathy and empowerment (SEE)

00:33:42 – The value of taking pauses before we speak

00:35:40 – What is self-empathy?

00:42:44 – Explanation and modeling of the ‘universal needs alive’ practice

00:52:14 – Reflections on the practice

00:54:28 – This practice is not about noticing if a need is met; it’s about noticing if a need is alive

00:58:52 – Watching for and relating to needs

01:03:45 – Mainstream cultural relationship to needs (it can be regarded as undesirable to have needs)

01:08:01 – Introduction to the self-empathy and empowerment process

01:12:40 – Step one: Situation (Writing down what happened without interpretations)

01:16:20 – The beauty of separating observation from interpretation

01:17:30 – Step two: Judging and Blaming

01:20:02 – Step three: Sensations (Bringing attention to somatic experience)

01:21:37 – Why is it important to be in touch with the body?

01:27:07 – Step four: Feelings (What are feelings?)

01:30:17 – Step five: Needs (The importance and difficulties of knowing our needs)

01:37:16 – Step six: Mourning

01:40:49 – Step seven: Inner Silence

01:43:49 – Exercise of exploring an unmet need

01:49:42 – Reflections on the exercise

01:54:44 – Entering into the mourning process

01:58:11 – Connecting to needs is not just conceptual; it is energetic

02:05:18 – Step eight: Strategy (Connecting with intuition)

02:11:44 – Guided self-empathy and self-empowerment process

02:28:47 – Reflections after the guided process

02:45:30 – Closing words from Myra and Bob

Resources:
Letter to Participants
Relevant Book Excerpt
Inventories
Self-Empathy & Self-Empowerment

ABOUT MYRA WALDEN

Originally from Mexico, Myra Walden holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. She has practiced psychotherapy since 1991 and has offered workshops for mental health professionals since 1997. In 2000, Myra became a certified trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication. She worked alongside Marshall Rosenberg, the developer of Nonviolent Communication, in multiple International Intensive Trainings. Myra co-founded the Institute for Empowering Communication and wrote Empowerment Therapy. She lives in West Chicago, Illinois where she enjoys people and nature.