Sitting in the Fire

Arnold Mindell, Ph.D., shows how working with power, rank, revenge and abuse helps build sustainable communities. Mindell is the co-founder of processwork and author of numerous books, including Quantum Mind, The Deep Democracy of Open Forums and The Leader as Martial Artist. He has appeared on national radio and television and works internationally with multi-racial and highly conflicted groups. 

The author about the book:

Behind the world's most difficult problems are people - groups of people who don't get along together. You can blame crime, war, drugs, greed, poverty, capitalism or the collective unconscious. The bottom line is that people cause our problems.  


My teachers told me to avoid large groups: they are unruly and dangerous. The only way work can be done, they maintained, was in small groups where law and order prevail. But the world is not composed of docile little groups. Enforcing law and order can't be our only strategy for resolving problems.


Many of us shudder at violence. We want to insist on peaceful behavior: line up here, single file. Follow Robert's Rule of Order. One person speak at a time. Finish one subject before moving on to the next. 


Yet, enforcing order does not stop riots, hinder war or reduce world problems. It may even kindle the fire of group chaos. If we don't permit hostilities a legitimate outlet, they are bound to take illegitimate routes. 


This book demonstrates that engaging in heated conflict instead of running away from it is one of the best ways to resolve the divisiveness that prevails on every level of society - in personal relationships, business and the world.