Shantigarbha and Gesine want to share with you the life-changing communication skills that they learned from Marshall Rosenberg, founder of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). They work with a wider team of trainers and contributors.
Shantigarbha
Founder, Co-Director and Certified NVC Trainer
Shantigarbha is a British Buddhist teacher, Nonviolent Communication (NVC) trainer, and co-director of Seed of Peace. Certified by the Centre for Nonviolent Communication, he has taught at International Intensive Trainings (IITs) and led reconciliation events and workshops worldwide, including the UK, Middle East, US, India, and Sri Lanka.
He grew up in Croydon (UK) and studied Latin, Greek & Philosophy at Oxford University. He’s had a variety of jobs including charity fundraising for the Karuna Trust, managing Dharmachakra, working in a psychiatric hospital, working as the Sales and Marketing manager of a software company, publisher and co-editor of Urthona, the Buddhist arts magazine. While he was managing Dharmachakra, he co-wrote an audio-version of the life of the Buddha, which has sold more than five thousand copies.
In 1996, Shantigarbha was ordained into Triratna Buddhist Order and given the name Shantigarbha, meaning ‘Seed of peace’, reflecting the mission of his organization. He has served as a Regional Order Convenor for Men for almost twenty years, playing a key role in supporting and guiding men within the Order. He has also been a member of the Triratna International Council and served as Secretary of the Triratna Trust, the charity of the Order. Currently, Shantigarbha convenes the Triratna Earth Sangha, focused on the intersection of spirituality and environmental concerns, and is a member of the Triratna Restorative Coordinating Group.
In his NVC work, Shantigarbha offers coaching and counselling for individuals, couples, communities and businesses. He specializes in reconciliation efforts. In 2011, he facilitated a nine-day event for Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank. Amid a tense atmosphere, participants faced immense challenges but also shared moments of deep connection through dialogue, dance, and celebration. His restorative work has also included addressing caste violence in India and armed conflicts in Sri Lanka and Nepal.
In his teaching, Shantigarbha focuses on fostering connection through communication. Communication has the power to create meaningful change. He believes in fostering safe learning environments and community connections as a way to engage with and understand conflict more deeply. He describes conflict not as a cause for despair but as a reminder of the preciousness of life.
He is the author of I’ll Meet You There and The Burning House: A Buddhist response to the climate and ecological emergency. He continues to offer NVC courses, mediation, and coaching. He regularly offers courses and retreats on The Buddhist Centre.
Why I do what I do: read an interview with Shantigarbha from Bristol’s Spark Magazine.
Gesine Schrader
Co-Director and Certified NVC Trainer
Gesine is a CNVC-certified trainer and a Montessori-certified teacher, living in Bristol, UK. Since 2015 she has been facilitating NVC events in the UK, India, USA and Germany. Gesine is passionate about her work and how it encourages self development, deepening compassionate connection with self and others, conflict resolution and community building. When she is not working, Gesine enjoys being out in nature whether that is going for walks, wild swims or doing creative projects in the garden.
Gesine says: “I really love to be connected with like-minded people – here and globally – and co-create a world where everyone’s needs matter. It’s so enriching and diverse.”