Presence in a Rushed World – Vanessa West

Presence is the heart of each moment. It opens our awareness to what’s arising inside us. It nourishes our ability to connect authentically with others. It helps us align our choices with our values. Yet, we live in a world of constant movement, rush, and urgency—so much pulling at our attention, fragmenting our presence.

This workshop offers a supportive space to explore time scarcity and discover pathways to self-connection and renewed agency. Through guided embodied practices, we’ll explore returning to presence even when the pace around us doesn’t slow.

Rather than being swept up by time pressure, we will cultivate the ability to respond from what truly matters. You’ll leave with practical, repeatable tools to transform everyday pressures into opportunities for presence and choice.

What this workshop offers:
– A compassionate exploration of our personal relationships with time
– Practices to foster inner peace, presence, and choice in the face of time scarcity
– Clear steps to cultivate harmony between your own pacing and external demands

All are welcome.

When: 7 March 2026, 20:00-21:30 CET (Berlin time)

How: ONLINE on ZOOM

Language: English

Cost: Participating in the “Time for Empathy” sessions LIVE is, as always, free. However, if you would like to have access to the recordings, you are welcome to buy them – a special offer is available while registering for the event. Please note that not all workshops will be recorded. We will do our best to indicate which ones will.

This session will NOT be RECORDED.

Registration: 

To take part in this workshop, register for the “Time for Empathy” event here: https://www.empathiceurope.com/time-for-empathy/

NOTE: Register only ONCE for the whole event and participate live in all “Time for Empathy” workshops organised between 1 and 8 March 2026.

Vanessa West

I’m passionate about sharing the beauty and power of empathy and authenticity―and the deep personal transformation they make possible.

For years, I was searching for NVC without knowing it. I was baffled by conflict: How can sincere efforts at communication still lead to disputes? I devoured books on empathy and EQ, seeking answers.

When I discovered NVC, it was like lifting a veil. I began to see beyond conflict to universal common ground. I learned to listen to what’s in a person’s heart, instead of getting lost in their words. I learned to hear what’s alive within myself with much more clarity.

NVC has been so transformative for me that I feel inspired to share it with others. My path into this work is shaped by an unusual background: from the age of nine, I was immersed in the highly competitive world of chess. I competed nationally and internationally, earning the National Master title, have taught the game for nearly two decades, and worked as a chess journalist focused on learning, inclusion, and accessibility.

Through chess, I developed a deep understanding of how people learn, how to develop supportive habits under pressure, and how to apply complex ideas in real life. This background inspires my approach to facilitation, allowing me to support learning that is practical, embodied, and sustainable.

I have completed 400+ hours of NVC training with an emphasis on embodied practice. This includes a year-long training program in Embodying and Sharing NVC through Connecting2Life. I’m in the process of working towards becoming a certified trainer.

To learn more about my upcoming workshops and receive my occasional reflections on presence, empathy & connection, you can join my email list here.