Humanising Conflict and the Power of the Mind - Free Zoom Webinar, Weds 29 March, 7– 8.30pm

It is often said that the first casualty in war and conflict is truth.

It has also been said for a long time as Aeschylus first coined the phrase about 2,500 years ago and think about all the wars and conflicts large and small that have taken place since then!

The statement itself may or may not be … true.

But if it is true that suggests that quite a few lies have been told in the name of truth since then.

What is true is that one of the key causes of war and conflict at a fundamental level is difference.

Difference takes many forms from needs to perceptions to power to education to nationality to culture to religion to class to gender and more.

If we see another as fundamentally different to ourselves then this leads to what we often call a conflict of interests.

If you think about it, all difference begins in the mind and how and what we think.  For what we think governs what we believe, how we relate and how we interact.  And how we address problems and conflicts when they occur.

From difference comes the dehumanising of the “other” and seeing them as an adversary, an opponent, an enemy and literally an object, a thing, an obstacle to be overcome, conquered or beaten.

Marcus Aurelius said that thinking is an Art and that it requires great skill to know how to think about a subject or situation rather than being stuck in what we think about it.

Which is where The Power of the Mind comes in.

We often say that something is a case of mind over matter, but when something goes wrong we tend to mind what is the matter rather than focusing on the power of the mind and how if it thinks us into trouble then it can certainly think us out of it.

For, to think it is to create it. 

If we think about nothing but the problem we can make the problem bigger.

If we think about the solution, we make the solution easier to find.

If we think about what is wrong with another, we tend to fix them as being in the wrong.

If we think of each other as fellow humans on a tiny, blue, fragile, beautiful shared and sacred island floating in the vast ether of space that we need to protect and look after then we are far more likely to treat each other with greater humanity, compassion, respect and value.

In this free Zoom Webinar we will be exploring the world of Humanity and how it can make our lives richer, warmer, better connected and hopeful where the future is concerned.  And how when conflict occurs we need to and can escape the usual fight or flight responses and find our shared Humanity and from there build bridges to a better future rather than destroy the ones we have.

All are welcome.

This Webinar forms part of a series on Sustainable Relationships and Resolving Conflict but it is not necessary to have attended any previous Webinars as they are designed as stand-alone events.

Facilitator: Tony Kearney

Tony grew up in New Zealand where he trained as a solicitor. He then worked as a solicitor in London for over 20 years before moving to Ireland in 2006 to further his work around building sustainable relationships into the future. This includes planting a forest on the farm where he now lives and acting as a Mediator in workplace, community, schools, family, and commercial disputes. Tony is also a skilled facilitator and trainer and runs many training and other events and is the author of five books.

To register for this Webinar or find out more email Tony at: tony.kearney6@gmail.com