Sitting in the Fire: Large Group Transformation Using Conflict and Diversity

Mindell addresses the many ways that group processes fall apart and offers an alternative way of working with conflict.Many of the people I see trying to improve democracy and increase peace and well-being in the world get trapped in the cycle of peace-making that makes those who are angry, hurt, and emotionally expressive wrong. Those processes cannot help creating more harm as those who are most damaged and marginalized are shamed for being human.Mindell offers a way through the fires of emotionally charged conflict that allows the hurt and angry to be diffused as opposed to repressed.His language is unusual and may be challenging for people who like to think of themselves as rational and civilized. But his ideas are worth the challenge. They are just a speedbump that needs to be crossed in order to continue to make progress.The world needs this work.Mindell's work in this area was highly influential in the development of Organizational and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) by CRR Global. Anyone who is interested in how these ideas play out in the real world should follow that thread and see what one group has done bringing Mindell's work to life.

****Soapbox Alert****: This is one of many books I wish any business professional read and then made time to comprehend and implement. While business admins. typically have some kind of master's degree, I have found that they often lack critical knowledge on how to treat their employees and how to reduce conflict between employees, management, and within management. Current politics hardly promote social justice. This is something the social sciences (and I/O Psychologists, especially) can readily and easily provide if businesses would put aside the outdated business systems they "try" to make work. Look to innovate and create a new, employee focused system. This book provides information critical to such an innovative and needed process. It is information most current businesses desperately need, no matter what level or position the reader occupies. Learn people and society and then consider profits and politics. People drive a business. Profits will never motivate like real communication and relationships.

Sitting in the fire gives anyone who is interested in the method Deep Democracy insights in its background. Mindell shares his experiences and gives reflection on his lessons. His praxis is very worthwhile for anyone who is facilitating groups with its inevitable conflicts It msked you be aware how you can be meaningfull in these group processes.

This is an excellent book with many and varied examples about how discussions about racism, sexism, classism, homophobia and transphobia can be healing and transforming when pursued with skill and sel understanding. Anyone who is interested in promoting their understanding of diversity would find this book helpful.

Amazing!!!!! Must read!!! Makes us aware of privilege and rank in a way that it is impossible to go back to being the same!!!! Please read it!!!!

Amazing book, thank you!! It's so much needed now - in times of war in the world! To understand many things and phenomenon and people and oneself deeply - to make the world a better place and a home!

Bought this during my graduate studies and passed it on to classmates. I have bought it again, because I find the ideas and information it contains more and more useful as I work with my community more.

We are reading this book in a book club and it has led to many wonderful discussions ... I have learned so much!

Though the first part of the book can be easily misinterpreted as the author being rather full of himself, the essential aspects of negotiations and conflict-communication he covers are essential both for one-to-one conflicts (think: your relationship) and other conflict resolution and prevention. Author uses lots of situational examples as well as descriptive theory. It is the most important (advanced) communication book I have, and it has also been thoroughly enjoyed by two people I gave the book to, one an MD and the other an engineering manager and coach. The writer is a known negotiator at the top of this field; once you've read (and implemented) this you will notice that many "negotiators" only follow the simple theories and miss the deep-down issues which can take outcomes to a completely different level. If you deal with conflicts and people with diverse backgrounds (or just backgrounds different from yours) this will be particularly valuable reading and time well spent.

This is a very useful and practical handbook for those beginning to study and practice Process oriented psychology. I consulted it when I was transitioning to a new stage of life, and as a member of a faculty teaching Facilitation and found it to be a valuable resource and reference book. I now use it as a basic handbook for the fifteen concepts and skills and themes needed as a beginner.

Excellent book... Excellent premise this book should be compulsory reading At secondary/tertiary education... For primary education should be adapted...

Quick delivery, item in a great condition- would recommend. Thank you!

Loving it!