Quick paper I just wrote. Not my best writing by far, but a fabulous subject. If you haven't heard of Restorative Justice (Humanistic Mediation), give it a Google.
Susan Fullmer
DISP 495:
15 October 2018
Humanistic Mediation: A Transformative Journey of Peacemaking
By Mark S. Umbreit, Ph.D.
Reflection
Humanistic Mediation is an unique style of mediation that includes spirituality, compassionate strength and a focus on our basic human needs and connection. Not only is it an effective model of conflict resolution, it can bring a greater sense of community and social harmony.
In all of the conflict resolution techniques that I have studied for my degree in Multidisciplinary Studies and a certificate in dispute resolution, I feel this style most fits my own. It’s underlying values reflects many of my own beliefs such as connectedness of all things and our common humanity, belief in the desire of most people to live peacefully, and belief in the desire of most people to grow through life experiences. I feel this format would not only help in a mediation setting, but it could also be applied to most life situations.
For over three decades I have had extensive experience as a healer: Energy healer, shaman, massage therapist, and nurse. I have a deep feeling from these experiences that we as humans have an innate wisdom to know how to heal ourselves. Many of us in our culture have not been exposed to this idea, nor the healing techniques that could be helpful in this process. I feel that Victim-Offender Mediation is one bridge that can span the gap between wanting to heal and knowing how to get there. A good healer/humanistic mediator can set the stage of support and safety that is imperative for healing.
I also feel that some of the conflict resolution techniques I have learned in school can get in the way of healing, and are not my style of doing things. For example, as the humanistic mediation article by Dr. Umbreit points out, reflective listening skills can be helpful, but they can also hinder genuine dialogue. I think when we want to help the healing process, sometimes the best thing we can do is get out of the way. Genuine dialogue and silence as appropriate can do just that.
Many of these practices are not found in Western thinking. As Dr. Umbreit said, “Genuine dialogue in which people feel safe enough to speak and listen in a non defensive manner requires skills and a life perspective that many non-Western indigenous cultures are far more comfortable with than we in the West are.”
