The “Theory of Holes” developed by Hameed Ali (pen name, A. H. Almaas) and Faisal Muqaddam with Karen Johnson provides a map for the process of recovering essence on the spiritual journey. Limitations in cases of trauma are noted.
In “Beyond Technique: Trauma Healing, Mediation and Spirituality,” Elizabeth Bader uses several terms from Daniel Stern repeatedly. However, Stern uses these key terms in ways that do not necessarily conform to their obvious meaning or normal usage. For that reason, this post provides those definitions. All definitions are from Daniel Stern’s book, The Present Moment in Psychotherapy and Everyday Life (W. W. Norton & Company, 2004).
Yeh-Lu Ch’u Tsai saved millions of lives through his work with difficult people, including Genghis Khan. Using his life as a model, this post discusses how to work with difficult people, and how respect and spiritual integrity, combined with hard-headed realism and objectivity, form the basis for service to others.
Issues relating to gender, conflict and women mediators are discussed in these notes from Leyla Navaro, M.A., a group therapist, author, educator and trainer. The notes were originally generated for an international telesalon organized by Elizabeth Bader, with Leyla Navaro, M.A. and Sharan L. Schwartzberg, Ed.D.
In this touching video, Nelson Mandela teaches us to make peace with the world and with ourselves through music and dance.
This post discusses the causes of PTSD and the “defense cascade” of fight, flight and freeze which is often described as the basic mammalian response to trauma. The work of Peter Levine, Stephen Porges, Walter Cannon, and Schauer and Elbert will be discussed.
An illustrated version of an article about the IDR Cycle, the psychological cycle of ego-inflation (overconfidence), ego-deflation and realistic resolution typically experienced by parties during the mediation of civil disputes. Originally published on mediate.com, this article provides a simpler explanation of the cycle than those found in Elizabeth’s academic writings.
Stephen Porges PhD speaks about the Polyvagal Theory, healing trauma, and his own psychological and spiritual journey. In the attached blog post, Elizabeth discusses the applicability to mediation.
A telesalon on cross-cultural negotiation strategies and the limits of interest-based negotiation with Peter Phillips and Nicholas Khoury, hosted by Elizabeth Bader. The telesalon was recorded. Email Elizabeth if you would like to listen to it, or attend future programs.
When mediators work on resolving conflicts, they often face challenges to their own egos. Discusses the “professional ego ideal,” mindfulness and more.