There is no meaning to life except the meaning a person gives to life through the unfolding of his or her powers.
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Conflict, Narrow Places, and Rebirth (4/30/12) Ann Begler As part of the Easter story, we are taught a lesson about the possibility of redemption and deliverance. In fact, we are taught about the miracle of seeing that even one who has lost all life -- that one who has died -- can be renewed and can find life, again ... Whether we are in the midst of our own conflict, or we are someone who helps others to work out conflict, these stories, and the powerful and compatible lessons, provide us with useful guidance.
The Mediator as Healer? (4/17/12) Nigel Singer I have been a mediator for years, but only recently have I been toying with the idea that my role is a healer. This is a transition for me and an ongoing process. I am working through this concept and how it affects my identity. I also wonder how it changes my approach to my clients. 1 Comment
AudioBlog: Religious Diversity: Did You Know? (9/26/11) Jeff Thompson The four panelists will speak from their perspective of their particular faith including the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh faiths giving conflict resolution professionals and practitioners important knowledge that applies directly to their work. This includes: information on core beliefs, clothing, physical contact and more.
Holistic Communication: How to Include the Heart and Soul in Mediation (8/24/11) Michelle Brenner One of the functions of being a person as well as a professional is to survive, to be able to pay bills, keep updating knowledge and satisfy the human needs that include feeding and housing self and family. The second function which is not a runner up, but actually considered as critical for defining a human being is the need for transcendence. 1 Comment
Interfaith Mediation (5/02/11) Jeff Thompson My two main job professions is working in mediation/conflict resolution and law enforcement. One of my primary tasks working as a Detective in the NYPD is doing interfaith work the many different religious groups in New York City.
The Spirit of Mediation (4/18/11) Mary Damianakis Most researchers and practitioners in alternative dispute resolution modalities have accepted that mediation, whether open and or closed, is a branch of the current family court system.
Conflict Resolution in the Holy Lands (4/11/11) John Shaffer I recently returned from a conflict resolution training of unusual depth and dimension. It is an experience I wish for all my family and friends, co-workers and neighbors. I say “it is” because the journey this training is a part of is not over; in fact, I’d say it has hardly begun. 2 Comments
Alternatives to Interest-Based Problem-Solving: Ho’oponopono (3/27/11) F. Peter Phillips Traditional Hawaiian practices include a structured ritual whereby a family gathers to exchange concerns, reveal wrongs and resentments, and set the family unit right. The practice, ho’oponopono, is often inadequately understood by non-Hawaiians and in certain instances misappropriated (whether intentionally or through ignorance). This chapter attempts to describe the practice, with acknowledgement that non-Hawaiians necessarily labor under spiritual and cultural limitations that prevent full understanding of, and engagement in, the traditions of others.
Mediation And Self-Actualization (2/14/11) Diane Cohen One of the things that has always drawn me to mediation is the role that the mediator plays in helping parties think meaningfully about what they want in ways that they may never have before. This seems counter-intuitive since a mediation is a discussion between two parties, rather than an in-depth discussion with one party (especially if the mediator does not caucus, as I almost never do).
Mediation As A Spiritual Practice (1/24/11) David A. Hoffman, Richard N. Wolman Can mediation be considered a spiritual practice? And what is a spiritual practice anyway? We think the answers to these questions might explain, at least in part, why we and many other mediators find mediation to be so fulfilling – turning an occupation into a labor of love. 4 Comments
Project: Spirituality And Conflict Resolution (1/17/11) F. Peter Phillips Over the past years, many of us have been impressed by the limitations of both institutional dispute resolution systems (i.e., courts) and their alternatives (i.e., arbitration and mediation). At the same time, I’ve been increasingly drawn to examples found in certain societies whose shared spiritual beliefs have produced systems of dispute resolution that are consciously in tune with those beliefs.
Pursuing Peace On One Foot (12/13/10) Brooke Goldfarb I am 41 years old, thank you very much, and I must admit that at mid-life I have a few regrets. One is that when I was a kid I dropped out of Hebrew School and did not have my Bat Mitzvah at 13. Another is that I quit the piano. Still another that I never got to be a member of the Mickey Mouse Club. Well, some things we have control over and some things we don't. I may have missed the Mickey boat and perhaps I'll get back to the piano some day. For now, with my husband and children's encouragement, I am going back to get the religious school training I missed out on as a kid. 1 Comment
Why Conflict Is Our Zen Master (12/06/10) Victoria Pynchon Dr. Kenneth Cloke tells us that every conflict “occurs at the intersection, or crossroads, between problems we need to solve in order to grow and skills we do not yet possess. With each level of growth and development, we experience fresh conflicts and transcend old ones that we not only successfully resolve, but develop the skills to move beyond.” 1 Comment
A Little Bit About Forgiveness (11/08/10) Vivian Scott I participated in a good discussion last week about forgiveness. Okay, I admit it was with two of my nieces on Facebook, but it was a good conversation nonetheless. We went back and forth trying to define forgiveness and as it turns out it’s easier to describe what forgiveness isn’t than it is to define what it is. And, that got me thinking.
Emergency Self-Compassion For Conflicts (9/13/10) Lorraine Segal Finding compassion for another person we are in conflict with, understanding their issues, perspective, and struggles are valuable tools in resolving issues. But, offering compassion to ourselves can be equally important in dealing successfully with conflict and difficult people.
The Four Questions Of Anger (9/06/10) Lester L. Adams If we are to ever have greater success at resolving our disagreements with each other, we have to deal with the destructive anger that causes us to start disagreements, fuels the flames of opposition, and keeps us fighting each other even when we have a way out of conflict.
Taking The First Step To Heal Conflict (8/30/10) Lorraine Segal What does it look like to take the first step to heal conflict? It could be sitting down and talking with someone we’ve been avoiding. It could mean a new openness to hearing their story, understanding that their version of what happened is inevitably different from ours. It could mean telling another person how hurt or angry we felt. It could be a softening and self–forgiveness that lets us acknowledge our share in a problem rather than reacting defensively.
Can Religious Differences Be Mediated? (8/16/10) Donal O’Reardon Religious beliefs regularly motivate actions that cause conflict between people. From the point of view of mediation, it is natural to ask whether conflicts that have their source in religious views can be mediated and, if so, what might the framework of such a mediation look like? This article argues that religiously motivated conflict can be mediated, but that there are criteria that must be satisfied for such a mediation to take place. Mediation too, must look at itself and understand that some of its basic ideals (autonomy and self-determination) mean it can only mediate if these values are endorsed by both parties. 3 Comments
Old Wine New Wineskins And Lawyers (7/19/10) William Scott Harralson, J.D. If Perry Mason sat down with you at the mediation table to discuss prospects for resolving a civil case, would you consider him to be an asset or a liability towards the success of the mediation process?
Being Present In The Moment (7/12/10) Jan Frankel Schau Mediators talk about "being present" as an effective tool towards helping people we hardly know resolve very personal conflicts.
Susan Carpenter: Steps of Change in a Social Movement - Video (7/04/10) Susan Carpenter Susan Carpenter talks about the different steps that facililtate a successful social movement starting with awareness. After awareness, people need to be empowered and these two steps are critical before people can begin the negotiation process for change.
Peter Adler: Background of Ho'oponopono - Video (7/02/10) Peter Adler Peter Adler describes the meaning of "Ho'oponopono," the practice in native Hawaiian culture that helps to restore harmony and normality among family members, extended families.
