Emergency Communication for Homeless Youth
The practice of communicating one with another is a skill best learned while young. Habits of lying and self-delusion are best left to die untended on the vines of our soul.
The Wellness Workshops project brings together many disciplines, which together give a strong core foundation for young people --whether living on the streets, in temporary shelter, in transition or in their first apartment-- to move forward with more confidence to achieve what they need in their own lives.
At the core of so much of this, whether it's sharing wellness information, teaching yoga, working through challenges with friends, is well-balanced communication. truth-based communication.
Yoga and Voice
In the beginning of the practice of yoga many thousands of years ago, the essence of this ancient discipline was passed on from person to person in two ways. By actions, and by spoken words. Now, millenia later, the spoken word remains immensely powerful, not only to convey information, but to direct the energies of a present situation.
Teaching a class of exhausted youth worn out from living outside too long, the yoga teacher uses words and voice to increase the flow of energy through the room, and bring vitality to the students. When dealing with a hyped bunch of teenagers on a different day, the teacher uses words to create balance and calm within the room.
Words on the Street
On the streets, many situations arise that require the brave and mindful use of words.
- Someone is overdosing on downers and needs to be stimulated to survive long enough to get treatment.
- Violence is brewing and anger needs to be defused
- Someone is threatening suicide and friends want to help while help is on the way.
- A couple is struggle to communicate honestly, but find it very very difficult to do.
- Friends can't find the right way to work through trouble and their trust in each other is dying
Nonviolent Communication
There is a large body of work around Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and that is the core of Emergency Communication for Homeless Youth. The four primary steps of NVC are:
- OBSERVATIONS: When I see you borrowing my lighter without asking . . .
- FEELINGS: . . . I feel pissed off and angry. . .
- NEEDS: . . . because I think you're going to walk away with it and i need it for smokes later.
- REQUEST: Would you leave my lighter alone unless you ask me first if it's OK to use it?
Ahimsa, Svadhyaya and Satya
Ahimsa, Svadyaya and Satya are at the heart of Nonviolent Street Communication. All the yamas and niyamas are crucial, but these three stand out for this practice.
Ahimsa is the yama of non-harming or non-violence. As a wellspring, it serves as an underlying intention to all just and potent communication.
Svadhyaya is the niyama of self-inquiry. Well-intentioned we may be, but to find the truth, we must look within.
Satya is the yama of truthfulness. Seeking this, from a foundation of strength, successful communication is not only possible, but the only kind of interchange worth having.
