Most of us are terrified of conflict, says Arnold Mindell, PhD, author of fiftee
n books and internationally recognized for his innovative synthesis of Jungian t
herapy, dreams, and bodywork. But we needn't be. His burning passion is to creat
e groups and organizations where everyone looks forward to group processes inste
ad of fearing them. He calls this the deep democracy of open forums, where all v
oices, thoughts, and feelings are aired freely, especially the ones nobody wants
to hear.
Since 1992, one of Mindell's prime interests has been the bringing of
deeper awareness to group conflicts. Conflict work without reference to altered
states of consciousness is like a flu shot for someone in a manic or depressed
state of consciousness. Most group and social problems cannot be well facilitate
d or resolved without access to the dreamlike and mystical atmosphere in the bac
kground. The key is becoming aware of it.
