The Spirit of Dialogue

Lessons from Faith Traditions in Transforming Conflict

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Public Policy, Business & Finance, Management & Leadership, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book The Spirit of Dialogue by Aaron T. Wolf, Island Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Aaron T. Wolf ISBN: 9781610916189
Publisher: Island Press Publication: September 14, 2017
Imprint: Island Press Language: English
Author: Aaron T. Wolf
ISBN: 9781610916189
Publisher: Island Press
Publication: September 14, 2017
Imprint: Island Press
Language: English

We tend to approach conflict from the perspective of competing interests. A farmer's interest lies in preserving water for crops, while an environmentalist's interest is in using that same water for instream habitats. It's hard to see how these interests intersect. But what if there was a differway to understand each party's needs?

Aaron T. Wolf has sphis career mediating such conflicts, both in the U.S. and around the world. He quickly learned that in negotiations, people are not automatons, programed to defend their positions, but are driven by a complicated set of dynamics—from how comfortable (or uncomfortable) the meeting room is to their deepest senses of self. What approach or system of understanding could possibly untangle all these complexities? Wolf's answer may be surprising to Westerners who are accustomed to separating religion from science, rationality from spirituality.

Wolf draws lessons from a diversity of faith traditions to transform conflict. True listening, as practiced by Buddhist monks, as opposed to the "active listening” advocated by many mediators, can be the key to calming a colleague's anger. Alignmwith an energy beyond oneself, what Christians would call grace, can change self-righteousness into community concern. Shifting the discussion from one about interests to one about common values—both farmers and environmentalists share the value of love of place—can be the starting point for real dialogue.

As a scientist, Wolf engages religion not for the purpose of dogma but for the practical process of transformation. Whether atheist or fundamentalist, Muslim or Jewish, Quaker or Hindu, any reader involved in difficult dialogue will find concrete steps towards a meeting of souls.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

We tend to approach conflict from the perspective of competing interests. A farmer's interest lies in preserving water for crops, while an environmentalist's interest is in using that same water for instream habitats. It's hard to see how these interests intersect. But what if there was a differway to understand each party's needs?

Aaron T. Wolf has sphis career mediating such conflicts, both in the U.S. and around the world. He quickly learned that in negotiations, people are not automatons, programed to defend their positions, but are driven by a complicated set of dynamics—from how comfortable (or uncomfortable) the meeting room is to their deepest senses of self. What approach or system of understanding could possibly untangle all these complexities? Wolf's answer may be surprising to Westerners who are accustomed to separating religion from science, rationality from spirituality.

Wolf draws lessons from a diversity of faith traditions to transform conflict. True listening, as practiced by Buddhist monks, as opposed to the "active listening” advocated by many mediators, can be the key to calming a colleague's anger. Alignmwith an energy beyond oneself, what Christians would call grace, can change self-righteousness into community concern. Shifting the discussion from one about interests to one about common values—both farmers and environmentalists share the value of love of place—can be the starting point for real dialogue.

As a scientist, Wolf engages religion not for the purpose of dogma but for the practical process of transformation. Whether atheist or fundamentalist, Muslim or Jewish, Quaker or Hindu, any reader involved in difficult dialogue will find concrete steps towards a meeting of souls.

More books from Island Press

Cover of the book The Rising Tide by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book State of the Wild 2010-2011 by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book Confessions of a Slut Wife (Erotic / Erotica / Menage / Bisexual / Threesomes) by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book Wildlife Responses to Climate Change by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book Artful Rainwater Design by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book Environmental Policy and Biodiversity by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book Diagnosis: Mercury by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book Which World? by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book Naturalist 25th Anniversary Edition by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book Old Fields by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book Planetizen's Contemporary Debates in Urban Planning by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book The Coming Democracy by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book The TDR Handbook by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book People, Forests, and Change by Aaron T. Wolf
Cover of the book Conservation in the Internet Age by Aaron T. Wolf
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy