Spinning Threads of Radical Aliveness: Transcending the Legacy of Separation in Our Individual Lives

by Miki Kashtan

Here is a different story about who we are, why we got here, and what we can do to move towards our longings for a different world. In her debut publication, Spinning Threads of Radical Aliveness, internationally known thinker and trainer Miki Kashtan puts forth the bold vision that we can live with integrity, even in a world that has betrayed our deepest hopes for the future. The key she offers for opening the door to deep changes at all levels is to embrace a major transformation in our relationship with our deepest needs and values. All aspects of relationships take on a new light when filtered through the lens of human needs. This profound book will help you discover the transformative power of shifting from evaluating, judging, and competing into an openhearted commitment to make things work for everyone. For the millions who long to “be the change you wish to see,” this book elegantly and thoroughly provides a roadmap – and nourishment for the spirit.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Communication

424 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 2014

Reviews

[Vishnu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read from start to finish. Since I've been doing a fair amount of communication work, this book provided a lot of the larger theoretical framework around focusing on individual needs, and reorienting ourselves toward creating a world in which everyone's needs matter. A truly inspiring vision for the possibilities for humanity, and one that I can only hope to approximate more and more on a daily basis.

[Tadeáš · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm amazed by Miki Kashtan's work, because I believe that the root of our interwoven crises (climate, environmental, economic, health…) is much deeper than just fossil fuels or economic system we live in. I'm interested in exploring how the cultural stories we tell ourselves are contributing to this mess and how to change those stories. Miki goes right to the core about who we are, why we got here, and what we can do to move towards our longings for a different world.

One could see that she is a non-violent communication (NVC) trainer. NVC is a practice that changed my life in many ways, and yet I always associated it with mostly individual level, little sad that it didn't take into account the larger systemic context. This is the book that merges the individual and systemic level. She has a vision of a world where the needs of all people (far beyond the material ones) are fulfilled.

As one of the root causes of our current predicament, she sees the utter domination of rational thinking that came at the expense of the awareness of our emotions and needs. The book is very personal as she shares her journey of trying to integrate the NVC principles into her life fully, trying to step out of the old habits of being, thinking and relating that contribute to the destruction of humanity in us. Although this book focuses more on the individual level, I can't wait to read the subsequent book which focuses on systemic change called Reweaving Our Human Fabric: Working Together to Create a Nonviolent Future.

[Oceana · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have an interest in creating a different world that works for more people, that is sustainable, that isn't about just recreating the same old power over power under relationships. I am continuing to use the Core Commitments as a source of continuing to work to create this new world that I want to live in. I am trying to blog about it here. I love how the book looks at where we have come from in order to find a path that works better. The way of looking at history also helps us to understand why we mind behave in ways that do not always meet our needs in the best way possible.

[Mintaute · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knyga gal kiek ir geresnė, nei ją įvertinau, bet man buvo labai sunku ją skaityti. Viskas trigerino, vietomis erzino, net pykdė. Manau, kad būčiau metusi per petį, jei ne faktas, kad skaitėme ją porcijomis grupėje ir analizavome kassavaitiniuose susitikimuose. Pačią pabaigą perskaičiau jau viena ir pasidžiaugiau, kad perskaičiau. Manau, kad tai tokia knyga, kuri yra darbinė ir turėtų būti porankinė darbui su pačia savimi. Tikėtina, kad dar ne kartą ir atsiversiu.
Pati knyga yra apie non-violent komunikaciją. To pas mus asmeniniusoe gyvenimuose, bendruomenėse ir visuomenėje žiauriai trūksta. Nemokame nei suprasti savo poreikių, nei jų išgirsti, nei priimti. O ką jau kalbėti apie kitus ir jų poreikius. Man tai buvo gera proga pamąstyti ir apie savo internalizuotą bejėgiškumą, atvirumo savo poreikiams, norams ir svajonėms baimę, autentiškumo baimę. Tas "should" toks įaugęs į kraują, kad darbo užteks dešimtmečiams į priekį. Svarbu pradėti. Ir knyga tą norą pažadino, bei suteikė labai gerų pratimų, patarimų ir postūmių tuo užsiimti.
Kažkuria prasme knyga labai terapinė. Jei turite kiek patreniruotą savistabos ir savirefleksijos raumenį, manau, kad tikrai nereikia grupės skaitymui. Man grupė vis tik padėjo, nes tas raumenėlis net labai silpnas.

[Natasha Florentino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible read for anyone who has ever studied or read about nonviolent communication. The author writes in a very straightforward and earnest manner which really resonated with me.
She writes about her own life and how she came to embrace and live according to the core principles of nonviolent communication. It's a fascinating read for anyone attempting to do the same or at least might be curious about how the practice can shape your life.

[Zuzana Santamaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for anyone interested in NVC. A rather tough read but full of case studies and examples, profiund confession of Miki Kashtan. A book I will come back to.

[Sarah Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Miki's work. This is written how she talks. Long sentences. So much to learn!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book got weaker as it progressed. It was a bit rambling, so some her philosophy was difficult to make sense of.

[Jürgen Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Most inspiring view by Miki on the world

[Aiyana Sequana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been thirsting for an in-depth book having to do with the internal work of Nonviolent Communication that goes beyond the basics. This book quenches that thirst.

[Mariusz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely revolutionary book for those interested in getting much more from life in both intra personal and interpersonal space...

[Melinda Knudsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book. Could relate to so much which felt great and I learnt so much. I highly recommend this book to all especially those interested in nonviolent communication.