Worldwork Class in Berkeley, 11/10-12/15/04

Transforming Conflict into Community and Enemies into Allies

Conflict, for better or worse, is a fact of life. Our beautiful country is divided along political, racial, and economic lines. Our exquisite world is torn by war and injustice. Our loving relationships are punctuated with stress and tension. How can we stand up for what we feel is right without becoming the thing we are fighting against? How can we facilitate when a conflict is painful and complex?

Worldwork invites and values all points of view, as well as the emotional reality of conflict situations. This follows the belief that every position should have a voice, and that marginalized views and communication styles sometimes need support in order to be heard. The inherent wisdom of a group or community emerges when all parts are expressed and have a chance to interact. The same dynamics that create conflict, when handled with awareness, can create understanding, reconciliation, and community.

In this series of classes, we will learn about some of the dynamics that cause conflicts to cycle and perpetuate. We will directly address and work with issues that are present among the participants, as well as world issues, in order to learn more about how to work with conflicts in general. In this way, we will get a chance to practice powerful and effective tools that can help us to create intimacy, community, and social change.

TIME: 7pm to 10pm

DATES: Wednesdays Nov 10, 17, Dec 1, 8, 15

COST: $20 per class (Need-based fees considered)

CONTACT: Lane (510) 558-8805

WHERE: 1452 Cornell Avenue. Berkeley (Please park in lot across street)

All are welcome to the first class. Commitment required after first class.

WORLDWORK offers powerful and effective tools that can help us to work toward wholeness, well-being, social justice, and community. Developed by Arnold Mindell, Ph.D. (author of Sitting in the Fire, Dreambody, etc.) and his colleagues from around the world, Worldwork is based on a trust that even the most disturbing experiences – including physical illness, conflicts and world issues – can lead us in the direction of change, growth, and connection.

LANE ARYE, Ph.D. is an internationally known Process Worker and Worldworker. In the Balkans, he co-led a UN funded project working with Serbs, Croats, and Muslims on ethnic tension, war-related trauma, and community building. Lane has also worked with conflicts between high-caste and low-caste Hindus from India, anti-Semitism in Germany and Poland, as well as racism, sexism, nationalism, homophobia, and class issues in the US and Europe. Author of Unintentional Music: Unleashing Your Deepest Creativity, Lane lives with his wife, Lecia, and has a private practice in Berkeley and San Rafael.