GROWING IN CONFLICT

Meeting Conflict With An Open Heart

Conflict is part of our lives because our beliefs and modes of being often differ powerfully with those of our loved ones, acquaintances, and associates. For all the grief these disagreements can cause, we can learn much from them. How we handle ourselves when confronted with anger or argument demonstrates our patience and the quality of our energy status. To resolve conflict we need to approach our adversary with an open heart filled with compassion. Judgments and blame must be replaced with mutual respect. Conflict is frequently motivated by unspoken needs masked by confrontational attitudes or aggressive behavior. When we greet conflict with love and acceptance in our hearts, we empower ourselves to discover a means to attaining collective resolution. The key to finding the wisdom in conflict ask yourself why you clash with a particular person or situation. Your inner self may be trying to point you to a specific life lesson, so try to keep your eyes and ears open. Once you have explored the internal and external roots of your disagreement, make the conscious effort to release any anger or resentment you feel. As you do so, the energy between you and your adversary with change perceptibly, even if they are still operating from a more limited energy state. Consider that each of you has compelling reasons for thinking and feeling as you do. Accept that you have no power to change your adversary's mind. This can help you approach your disagreement rationally, with a steady voice and a willingness to compromise. If you listen thoughtfully and with an empathetic ear during conflict, you can transform conflict into compromise. Examine your thoughts and feelings carefully and you may discover stubbornness within yourself that is causing resistance or that you are unwittingly feeding yourself negative messages about your adversary. As your part in a disagreement becomes more clear, new conflicts become another chance to further your learning in empathy, compassion, and tolerance.