ACR18 ACR18 ACR Spirituality Section

2009 Teleseminars are available for download for 30 days (only) after the program date.

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Kamila Blessing is an Episcopal priest who specializes in conflict resolution and is the CEO of Blessing Transitions – providing mediation for families, churches, and businesses. She holds degrees in Information Systems from the University of Pittsburgh (1977) – addressing systems analysis of the spoken and unspoken communication in family and organization. She holds a second set of degrees in New Testament from Duke (1996). She works out of her home in western Pennsylvania.

The biblical basis for mediation: Jesus, the mediator and advocate, but also the many instances where God mediates, and where and how people mediate throughout the Bible. Some of this activity is not called mediation but has the extraordinary effect of catalyzing the healing of relationships – theologically, the work of the Holy Spirit, psychologically, much of the dynamic of human relationship that is healthy. The mediator can use this information as a model, as an insight into human nature from the beginning of time, and as a general new awareness of the nature of the cultures that were formed by the Bible.

“Full Circle: Reflections on Working in the Mideast”

With Robin Amadei, Rachel Wohl, and Dorit Cypis

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
1:00 pm (Eastern)

In this teleseminar, Robin, Rachel, and Dorit will take us on their journeys to the Mideast by describing their projects, sharing what they have learned that might apply to mediation both internationally and domestically, and exploring how this work nourishes our spirits. Robin will discuss her process work with Engineers Without Borders International (EWB-I) in the Mideast, the possible connection between Mediators Beyond Borders (MBB) and EWB-USA, and some personal insights that she gleaned along the way. Rachel will discuss her work with, and her spiritual connection to MBB, as well as the assessment of her project in Israel, Wahat al Salam-Neve Shalom (Oasis of Peace), an intentional community of Jewish and Palestinian Israelis. Finally, Dorit, who will be just returning from a trip to Wahat al Salam-Neve Shalom, will update us on a collaboration with this community to develop a cross-cultural mediation curriculum specifically for use by Palestinian and Jewish Israelis. Dorit will also discuss a workshop that she and other MBB volunteers will have conducted with the community and the new liaisons that will have been formed on the trip. Also there will be some opportunity for participant questions and discussion.

Robin Amadei, J.D. is the owner of Common Ground Mediation Center, LLC, which provides mediation, facilitation, training, conflict coaching, teambuilding, and workplace assessment services. Thus far, Robin has participated in two international mediation initiatives. Along with colleagues affiliated with the University of Denver, Robin served on a US Aid grant consulting with and training faculty and students at the University of Tblisi, Geogia in mediation. Also, Robin is providing facilitation and process assistance for Engineers without Borders – International in the Mideast.

Rachel Wohl, J.D. is the founding Executive Director of the Maryland Judiciary’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO) which helps create, strengthen, expand and fund ADR programs in Maryland’s courts, criminal and juvenile justice programs, state and local government agencies, neighborhoods, schools and universities, and businesses. Rachel is a founding Board member of Mediators Beyond Borders, which helps grassroots groups build sustainable conflict resolution capacity in the US and around the world. She is working on an MBB project in Israel, supporting the development of an Arab/Jewish co-mediation service.

Dorit Cypis is a professional artist, MFA, California Institute for the Arts, 1977, and a mediator, MDR, Masters of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University, 2005. As a mediator, trainer, conflict transformation consultant and lecturer, Dorit proactively addresses social and personal contexts as key in the negotiation of power and reciprocity. As a founding member of Mediators Beyond Borders, and Chair of their Middle East Initiative, Dorit is working with Neve Shalom Wahat al Salam, an international community of Palestinians and Jews in Israel living and working together since 1976, to develop a cross-cultural mediation curriculum.

“From Vision to Action: Transforming Yourself and the World through Mediation”

Wednesday August 19th at Noon Eastern time!

What is our responsibility as mediators for the environmental, social, economic, and political conflicts that are occurring around us? How can we contribute to building conflict resolution capacity globally, while at the same time improving our personal capacity for compassion and kindness? Is it possible for us to use conflict resolution skills to prevent and ameliorate evil, war, injustice, and terrorism, both on a small and a large scale? How can we use conflict resolution and strategic planning techniques to integrate our deepest desires with the world in which we live? How can we translate our dreams and imagination into engagement and effective action? How can we contribute to changing personal, social, economic, political, and environmental conditions, and simultaneously improve the way we change?

This session will offer an integrated approach to internal, interpersonal and institutional conflict resolution, together with a discussion of processes, methods, tools, and techniques that can be used to facilitate transformational breakthroughs in a variety of conflicts. It will explore the paths and obstacles to inner and outer transformations, the methods for identifying and overcoming them, and ways of encouraging global citizenship in difficult and confusing times.

Kenneth Cloke, JD, LLM, PhD, is the Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution in Santa Monica, CA; President of Mediators Beyond Borders; mediator, arbitrator, consultant and trainer; and author of “Mediating Dangerously: The Frontiers of Conflict Resolution”; “Resolving Conflicts at Work: Eight Strategies for Everyone on the Job;” “Resolving Personal and Organizational Conflicts: Stories of Transformation and Forgiveness”;”The Crossroads of Conflict: A Journey Toward the Heart of Conflict”; and “Conflict Revolution: Mediating Evil, War, Injustice, and Terrorism”.

A Conversation with Bernie Mayer:
Staying With Conflict: Constructive Interventions in Enduring Disputes

Wednesday, July 8
3:00 pm (Eastern)

The most important conflicts in our lives do not go away but remain with us over time. This is because they represent basic issues of identity, structure, and values. In this seminar, Mayer will present an approach, based on that which is presented in “Staying With Conflict: A Strategic Approach to Ongoing Disputes” (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2009) to help mediators work with clients with long-term conflicts in a constructive way. Mayer will also discuss how taking on the challenge of enduring conflict can offer a significant opportunity for our field to expand our practice by addressing the most important and troubling conflicts that people, organizations, and communities face.

Bernard Mayer, Ph.D., Professor, Werner Institute for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, Creighton University, and Partner, CDA Associates, is an internationally-recognized leader in the field of conflict resolution. Bernie has facilitated many complex and controversial environmental conflicts, commercial and organizational disputes, interpersonal conflicts, public decision-making processes, and has an extensive background in family mediation as well.

Bernie is the author of many books and articles including The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution: A Practitioner’s Guide” (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2000), “Beyond Neutrality: Confronting the Crisis in Conflict Resolution” (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2004), and “Staying With Conflict: A Strategic Approach to Ongoing Disputes” (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2009)

Thursday, May 14th at 2:00 pm (Eastern)

The Experience of Neutrality: A Zen Perspective on Unbiased Mind

with Diane Musho Hamilton

Our mediation practice depends on the capacity for neutrality and we use many different words to describe it – impartial, unbiased, open, equi-distant, etc. This conference call will explore the actual experience of neutrality from a Zen perspective. We will attempt to move beyond our notions and concepts of neutrality into a direct experience which we can all recognize and refine.

Diane Musho Hamilton is a gifted facilitator, mediator, and spiritual teacher living in Utah. She is well known as an innovator in facilitating group dialogues, especially controversial conversations about religion, race, and gender relations. Diane is a fully ordained Zen priest and teacher. She has studied Buddhism since 1984, and was given dharma transmission by her meditation master, Genpo Roshi, in 2006. She works with the Big Mind process; a facilitation technique synthesized by Roshi to convey eastern teachings to Western audiences. Diane also teaches Integral Spirituality, and has worked with Ken Wilbur and the Integral Institute in Denver, Colorado since 2004. She lives in Salt Lake City with her husband, Michael D. Zimmerman, a lawyer and Zen teacher.

The Spirituality Section's conversation on the Circle Process
featuring Leigh Ann Roberts and Maureen Fitzgerald!

Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 pm (Eastern)

Leigh Ann Roberts and Maureen Fitzgerald are two speakers, attorneys, and mediators who have stumbled upon an ancient tool for group dialogue, trust building, and consensus forming. This process is called the Circle Process also often called Communication Circles, Peace-Making Circles, Wisdom Circles and other names. The Circle Process is a relatively simple process that mediators and facilitators can use to help in group conflict resolution processes as well as other applications such as group visioning and or strategic planning. This ancient process fosters safe and appropriate sharing and story-telling of its participants and builds trust in an amazingly efficient and effective manner. This simple process is a tool that facilitators and mediators can leave with organizations and clients to use in the mediator’s absence. This process, like the mediation process establishes ground rules and guidelines by which the group will govern itself as it makes decisions and connects in “a good way.” Organizations and facilitators can use the Circle Process in many ways such as to celebrate contributions of employees and volunteers; honor transitioning leaders and team members; and discuss sensitive issues or manage conflict.

Bio of Leigh Ann Roberts

Leigh Ann Roberts, JD is an attorney, mediator, nonprofit consultant and trainer located in Nashville, Tennessee. Leigh Ann is an experienced mediator & arbitrator of employment, commercial and civil disputes and also facilitates organization retreats for companies, community groups and other organizations who are experiencing conflict or who need assistance with trust and community building. Leigh Ann is an acclaimed speaker as well as an adjunct professor at several colleges and universities, graduate and post-graduate programs, teaching on topics such as mediation, conflict management & resolution, business ethics and law-related topics. Leigh Ann is the founder of the law firm of Papa & Roberts, PLLC located in Brentwood, Tennessee and The Circle Center, LLC. Leigh Ann has trained and facilitated hundreds of participants in the Peace Making Circle Process and dedicates numerous volunteer hours each month building and facilitating dialogue Circles in Middle Tennessee. Leigh Ann can be reached at www.PapaRoberts.com and www.TheCircleCenter.com.

Bio of Maureen F. Fitzgerald

Maureen F. Fitzgerald, BComm, LLB, LLM, PhD has been practicing law for over 20 years and is now a dedicated peacemaker and author. She is a trailblazer in the use of circle process for resolving conflict on corporations and is the author of six books including two circle books (“Corporate Circles” and “One Circle”); a best selling Canadian law textbook (‘Legal Problem Solving”) and two small business guides. She has a Masters of Law degree from the London School of Economics and a Doctorate degree in legal education. Her company, CenterPoint–Conflict & Collaboration Inc. is dedicated to resolving conflict and building trusting teams through conflict coaching, mediation, and training. She speaks across North America and can be reached at www.CenterPointInc.com.

A Conversation with Ran Kuttner!
Dialogue as a relational practice:
A Buddhist-oriented approach

Thursday, March 12

The Spirituality Section is looking forward to hosting a conversation with Ran Kuttner in March! The first part of the teleseminar will concentrate on the relational characteristics of Dialogue as understood by Martin Buber, Charles Taylor, David Bohm and other thinkers who wrote extensively on dialogue. Inspired by the Buddhist concept of no-self, the presentation will emphasize the centrality of no-self in these thinkers? views. The second part will discuss the implications of no-self on mediation and negotiation practices and will offer six qualities of mind that stem from the Buddhist worldview that if cultivated by the mediator, facilitator, and by negotiating parties, may allow transform adversity into dialogue. The third part will be dedicated to Q&A and dialogue among the participants.

Ran Kuttner is an Assistant Professor at the Werner Institute for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at Creighton University School of Law. Prior to joining Creighton, Ran was a Visiting Researcher and an Associate at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School for three years. In his Ph.D. dissertation, he integrated Buddhist philosophy, psychology and practices with relational models of conflict management, to better understand the process of conflict escalation and its transformation into dialogue in mediation. In his teaching, Ran incorporates various meditation practices from various Buddhist schools. In November 2007, Ran designed and hosted, together with Prof. Michael Wheeler of Harvard Business School and the Program on Negotiation, a symposium on ?Buddhism and Dialogue? at Harvard Law School, which brought together prominent ADR scholars who incorporate Mindfulness into their practice together with Buddhist teachers. (For more information, please visithttp://www.pon.harvard.edu/news/2007/event_buddhism.php.)

Ran is a certified mediator and a mediation teacher and trainer in Israel, where he also designed a mediation certification program and taught numerous mediation courses for Israeli educators, companies and the general public, as well as in graduate-level academic programs.

“Holding Opposites: A Psycho-Spiritual Approach to Paradox”
January 28, 2009

Kathryn Cameron will discuss why we must have an “other” in our lives. That “other” may be a significant or idealized other, or a hated other upon whom we project our shadow self. How do we extend the kindness of just letting somebody be who they are, when we so often don’t understand the split nature of our own projections? To resolve this dilemma we need a new way of understanding paradox, as a condition that allows apparent opposites to coexist together.

Kathryn will offer some insights into how to do this. This presentation will include lecture, experiential exercises, and discussion.

Over-viewing the tenets of conflict transformation practice, Louise will then share with participants an innovative way to learn about individual core motivations and what unconsciously drives mediators to respond in the ways that they do in mediation and conflict resolution, and to free themselves from the barriers of their personality types to more fully integrate the gifts of the personality types. Join a conversation that will discuss the ancient spiritual wisdom of the Enneagram and how it connects to the modern-day practice for mediators, psychologists, consultants, coaches, managers, and anyone fostering transformation with their clients and for themselves. No previous knowledge of the Enneagram is required; follow up work is available for those who may wish to attend the ACR Spirituality Section's Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado in February, 2009.

"Getting to Yes: The Inner Dimension: A Conversation with William Ury" April 16, 2008

In this hour-long conversation, William Ury will begin by offering a few
reflections, drawing on his own experiences as a mediator, on the role of
personal mastery and perspective taking in mediation. In that context, Ury will
briefly discuss his latest project, the Abraham Path Initiative, which is
engaged in opening a cultural route of tourism and pilgrimage that retraces the
journey four thousand years ago of Abraham, the unifying figure of Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam. The conversation will flow from there.

"Mediators Beyond Borders: Peace to the Planet", Kenneth Cloke, February 11, 2008

"The Power of Empathy"
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Emily Gould, Spirituality Section Co-chair

We see it in our clients, our colleagues and ourselves; so often we speak and act in ways that fail to satisfy or bring the desired results and resolution. How can we release the hold of ineffective and habitual patterns and strategies that keep us stuck in conflict and clear a path to new possibility and resolution? Compassion is an ancient spiritual tradition with powerful potential in the present. Empathy, that process of compassionate presence to what is universal in ourselves and others, releases the hold of habit and creates a quality of connection that allows people and circumstances to change and co-create solutions. Empathy for ourselves and others offers the key to reducing stress, collaborative problem solving and even marketing your practice.

Calm in the Face of the Storm: Care of the Conflict Practitioner
December 19, 2006
featuring Nan Waller Burnett
Nan facilitated a dialogue about how practitioners can invite spirituality into preparation for practice, as well as daily methods for self care including the development of strong boundaries while working in the face of conflict each day. Nan is Director of Dispute Resolution Professionals Inc based in Golden, Colorado and works as a high conflict mediator, consultant, experiential psychotherapist and trainer. She is Adjunct Faculty at Regis University in Denver. Nan is the developer of the Rocky Mountain Retreat held in the Rocky Mountain National Forest each year. She is working on her first book.

The Spiritual Cost of Conflict
March 28, 2005
Featuring: Kenneth Cloke.
Duration: 60 minutes
Kenneth Cloke discussed the spiritual cost of conflict, as well as its spiritual value. “[E]very conflict represents a spiritual crisis in the lives of its participants, and therefore, potentially, a path to spiritual learning and transcendence.” Kenneth Cloke, is the author of Into the Heart of Conflict: A Guide to Resolution Transformation and Transcendence (to be published in 2006).

Accessing the Greater Vision of Our Work as Conflict Resolution Professionals
May 5, 2005
Featuring: JoAnne Kellert.
Duration: 60 minutes
Most of us are drawn to the field of mediation and/or conflict resolution from a deep inner place that sees the greater potential that exists in every conflict. JoAnne discusses the importance of establishing a clear vision and purpose for your work, and how this can lay the foundation for building a successful mediation practice or other careers in the conflict resolution field.

Reflective Practice - Advanced Mediator Development
June 9, 2005
Featuring: Daniel Bowling and Dana Curtis
Duration: 60 minutes
The task of becoming a mediator begins with the development of specific skills and, for serious mediators, then moves into an interest in developing an understanding of mediation theory. To realize our potential as mediators, we must shift our focus to developing our personal qualities as mediators – an area too often neglected in our practice. Who we are as human beings has tremendous impact on what happens in mediation, and developing the ability to reflect on our experience and mistakes, to learn and to translate this learning into action is essential to a vital personal and professional life. Daniel Bowling and Dana Curtis will guide a discussion of these important distinctions and offer approaches to developing our mediator qualities through reflective practice.

Mindfulness, Deep Listening and Stories: The Spiritual Core of Peacemaking
January 16, 2006
Featuring: Mark Umbreit
Duration: 60 minutes
Dr. Umbreit is a Professor and the founding Director for the Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota, School of Social Work. He is a mediator, facilitator, trainer, researcher and author of six books. Dr. Umbreit is the Boden Chair Visiting Scholar at Marquette University Law School.

Beginner’s Mind: Cultivating Mediator Mindfulness
February 16, 2006
Featuring: Dr. Tom Fisher
Duration: 60 minutes
Tom Fisher is coordinator of Graduate Programs in Conflict Resolution and Family Law Mediation at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. Tom is a Zen practitioner with a Ph.D. in Chinese History.

Seeing With New Eyes, One Step Toward the Field of the Future
March 30, 2006
Featuring: Erica Fox
Duration: 60 minutes
Erica Ariel Fox is the Founder and Director of the Harvard Negotiation Insight Initiative (HNII). She teaches negotiation at Harvard Law School, and is working on her first book together with Marc Gafni.

Why Every Conflict Breaks Your Heart: Conflict as a Spiritual Crisis
April 13, 2006
Featuring: Kenneth Cloke
Duration: 60 minutes
Kenneth Cloke is Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution in Santa Monica, California and works as a mediator, arbitrator, consultant and trainer. He has published many journal article and several books, including: Resolving Conflicts at Work; Resolving Personal and Organizational Conflicts; and Mediating Dangerously: The Frontiers of Conflict Resolution.

Who Am I as a Mediator? Mindfulness, Reflection and Presence
May 10, 2006
Featuring: Daniel Bowling
Duration: 60 minutes
Daniel Bowling is a mediator and teacher in Sausalito California. He was the first CEO of ACR and as Executive Director of SPIDR, managed the merger process. He started the first mediation organization in South Carolina and has been practicing meditation and yoga for 30 years.