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

Our desperate times call for a radical re-imagining of the possible. This is exactly what Miki Kashtan’s important new book, Spinning the Threads of Radical Aliveness, delivers, along with practical applications about how to get there. Kashtan explains that although “...We have created a world based on separation, scarcity and powerlessness, which barely works for the few,” ...it is NOT human nature which had brought us to this. “Most of us have a deep longing for a world that works for us all...” The challenge in creating this new world lies in the necessity for a transformation in our relationship to human needs. This is the essence of Kashtan’s bold vision and urgent message: that “all human needs are fundamentally life-affirming and common to all. There is no need of yours or mine, or of anyone else, for that matter, of which we need feel ashamed. It is only the strategies we pursue to fulfill our needs that can be harmful to others and ourselves, not the needs themselves.” Filled with deeply thoughtful analysis, vibrant, illustrative personal anecdote, and concrete, specific steps each of us can implement today, Spinning the Threads of Radical Aliveness shows us the way: a new world is possible and we can achieve it!-- Bonnie Burstein, PhD, Training Director, Life Skills Central & Building Healthy Communities Initiative, Los Angeles Community College District

This not a novel but the evolution of a woman's life through great and traumatic challenges in childhood up to currently as an older woman and one of the foremost leaders in Nonviolence Communication (NVC), a world-wide organization. I've never seen a book quite like this one where the author highlights the major life lessons she learned and the ways that she is striving to live that keep her on the path of true honest and self-responsible engagement with herself, others and the world. Reading even one paragraph, for me, is to be deeply moved by Mikki's honesty and courage. A truly strong woman and a book I would highly recommend to people who would like to live their ideals.

If everybody read this book our world would be entirely different. Miki is vulnerable, authentic and transparent in a way that makes my soul breathe a sigh of relief. I'm inspired in ways I can't express in words. My heart is forever changed.

I have read this book over and over! It has reached out and grabbed my heart. Her style of writing is so vulnerable, so human and so hopeful in spite of the challenges she has faced. It is a great reminder that we all have our path and it is all for learning no matter what happens. If you read just one book make it this one. I rarely reread a book. This one has had a tremendous positive impact on me.

If you have never encountered NVC then Miki's book may be an epiphany. If you are trained in NVC then this is more about insights into Miki's personal journey.I have personally interacted with Miki and I can only say that my experience is that she is one of the most profound and authentic people I have come across. This book understates her contribution to thousands of peoples lives.

For some reason this book failed to resonate with me, I was after something else.I bought the book as a friend & I who work on practising NVC were looking for something new to enhance our studies. Sadly, this book was a struggle to read as the style of writing led to me skipping great chunks with my mind going "yada, yada, yada, blah, blah".Probably not about the book as my friend found that it sung to her.An NVC book that I did enjoy was:  What We Say Matters: Practicing Nonviolent Communication

Depthful. Inspiring. Reading it allows us to look into our own lives and to see ways of contributing to making earth a better place to experience peace and vitality.

Miki's book is the work of a tough minded and tender hearted practitioner who provides comprehensive reflections on the power of compassion to change the world and practical applications on how to get on with it.

Great book. I read it every few months and I learn something new from it.Miki's style is very open, honest, vulnerable and relatable. I really love reading her blogs and this book is a valuable edition if you are on a journey of nvc or even just learning how to negotiate peaceful conversations with yourself, others, groups, a business, etc

:-)

Miki Kashtans erstes Buch ist eine wunderbare Lektüre für alle, die sich eingehender mit GfK beschäftigen wollen und ebenso wie sie daran glauben, dass die herrschenden Gesellschaftssysteme veränderbar sind.Für die Lektüre sind allerdings gute Englischkenntnisse erforderlich!

Beautiful, beautiful book xx