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

by Arnold Mindell

Using examples ranging from disputes in small organizations to large-scale conflicts in countries around the world, this volume offers practical methods for working with conflict, leadership crises, stagnation, abuse, terrorism, violence, and other social action issues. It brings an understanding of the psychology of conflict and the knowledge that many disputes can be traced back to inequalities of rank and power between parties, providing tools that will enable people to use conflict to build community.

Genres: Psychology, Business, Nonfiction, Personal Growth, Communication, Activism, Education

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Tanja Korvenmaa]

My own experiences resonate a lot with what Mindell says about oppression and rank power - I'm truly glad to have read this book and become more aware of rank dynamics. Ranking is a very strong power in groups, and being aware of my rank as a leader or facilitator is a way to resolve conflicts and create nourishing environments. I hope to learn more of this every day.

[Kate Arms]

Using conflict to create stronger communities

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.

[Bernd Schiffer]

DNF. Lost interest after 20%. Don't get the structure of the book. Seems to meander from one loose topic to the next, with storytelling that I find not engaging.

[Linh]

I love his writing so much, so honest yet so compassionate.
Much of what was written in this book is quite outdated. Mindell did push for some new concepts (such as worldwork) but they couldn’t be retained and expanded.

Nevertheless, I GET him, totally get him. A beautifully written book.

RIP Mindell.

[Boku Kodama]

If we truly want peace in the world, we should all read Sitting In the Fire. Arnold Mindell practices the art of conflict resolution in a way that drops the barriers of threat and misunderstanding. The methods he use would avoid war and mass killings as we have in Iraq. Of course, such strategies would probably conflict with the world domination politics of the United States. It is up to us as citizens of this country as well as our commitment as global citizens to lead a fundamental paradigm shifting that leads to a safer, cleaner, more representative world environment. Sitting In the Fire gives us some of those answers.

[Francisca Sá Mota]

Texto que compreende a realidade como organicamente conflituosa. Ponto de partida e chegada é a comunidade, que se constitui por pessoas, rebeldes, ativistas, terroristas, mainstream, espíritos, fantasmas, opressores, oprimidos, maiorias, minorias, sentimentos, energias, que em sintonia com a Natureza, se inter-relaciona como o vento, no sentido da libertação.
Dinâmicas de opressor-oprimido em lógicas dialéticas, que necessitam espaço para se externalizarem. Validação do politicamente incorreto, e de se falar o que se pensa, sem amarras.
Dupla-manifestação, entre o que é dito, e o que está subentendido e se sente no ambiente. Explicitar, materializar, sublimar.
O trabalho interior está ligado inexoravelmente com o trabalho mundial.
A raiva, agressividade são cubos de gelo, que são água no fundo. É preciso saber estar sentada, meditar, com a guerra, com o conflito. Inspirações no TAO, nos elementos naturais. A água escorre e percorre os caminhos de uma forma incansável, o gelo derrete para se tornar água. O mestre, a pessoa mais velha dentro de nós, não procura ser líder, ela já sabe que o está a acontecer é o que era para ser, a capacidade de utilizar a sapiência, de uma mundi visão interconexa, de consciência, de reconhecimento de ranks, de posições, privilégios e das partes que formam o todo.

[Murad B.]

A Jungian-inspired approach to conflict resolution between ethnic groups or any groups of people centered around "deep democracy" with paramount principles of learning to be aware of one's "rank" and "privilege." Came from the 1990s when ethnic conflict was especially posited as a defining feature of the post-Cold War era, but also discusses race in the US. Interesting as it also extends deep or radical democracy to Jungian psychology/collective unconscious archetypes.

[Mohamed]

one of the best books in conflict resolution, cannot be read without attending conflicts resolution workshops with Process Work Methodology, it cannot be described well without being lived.
I read it after many practices, and I see its value.

[Ilya]

Искал какие-то однозначные ответы и советы. Книга дает их в очень общем виде. Безусловно, многое из этого можно применять к происходящему здесь и сейчас, но нужно самому найти инструменты. Кажется, я еще буду возвращаться к этой книге, чтобы перечитать и "закрепить" какие-то моменты.

[Cassandra Mitchell]

Some of the content is pretty useful but the writing is so full of jargon it's hard to follow. I have found other listening and facilitation resources more valuable.

[Jordan]

I would actually recommend this over Mindell’s other work that I’ve read, but the repetition made this a tougher reading experience on a personal level

[Vanessa]

this book was very conceptual and theoretical so while i was drawn to the topic, i was hoping for discussion of its practical application--how we actually create and facilitate group conversation that uses the anger and discomfort in a way that moves things forward. there were some anecdotes that Mindell used as examples, but the bulk of the book was repetitive and abstract.

[Sascha Altman-DuBrul]

This is a powerful introduction to Process Oriented Psychology which is a mix of Gestalt and Jungian and Group work. "Arnold Mindell, Ph.D shows how working with power, rank, revenge and abuse helps build sustainable communities."

[Kim]

This book was a transformative learning experience for me, providing new frames that made meaning of multiple events over time, while simultaneously providing immediate applications for my daily work.

[Tiff]

Still reading...will let you know.

[Sonja]

Better understanding of dynamics between humans! I love this book for perspective on dealing with people who disagree and allowing them their say.

[Karma]

fantastic!

[James]

conflict took on possibilities in this insightful nonfiction read. Mindell jumps into the fire with some fascinating examples.

[Gayle]

Easy read but definitely heart-wrenching. Really made me think about myself and how I treat other people -- again, awesome book for conflict resolution.

[Jeanne]

This book was one of the most empowering books I have read in how to sit, observe, and communicate during intense, heated discussions.

[Alex Kipar]

a must read book, especially for social activists

[Judy Singer]

The ultimate text for community builders. Genius.

[Lennie Noiles]

I listened to this audio book a year ago for the first time. I just re-listened to it and raised my rating from 3 to 4 stars. Something deeper sank in on the second listen.

[Xan Nogareda]

Great