Inside the No – By Myrna Lewis

Five Steps to Decisions That Last

Last year I was lucky enough to attend a course run by one of our senior executives which made me realize a revolution was under way, the course was called Deep Democracy, and it is for many a life changing event.

"Deep Democracy has its roots in Arnold Mindell’s Process Orientated Psychology. Its scientific concepts and principals have been demystified in order to make it relevant and applicable to the layperson. This process has taken over fifteen years of intensive work by psychologists Myrna Lewis and her late husband Greg Lewis.

The work commenced in South Africa just after the transition from apartheid to the New South Africa, when Myrna and Greg were asked by a large utility company to facilitate change within a 5 000 employee strong division. Accustomed to the old, prejudiced way of functioning, the division needed help in becoming aligned with a different way of operating. Three years down the line Deep Democracy was recognized for enabling people to resolve their racial tension and work together through decision-making processes.

From this tension-filled soil, Deep Democracy has grown, and continues to evolve. Over the past decade Deep Democracy’s principles and methods have been used successfully in many countries from Ireland to India and in a variety of contexts from businesses to schools.

It has been used as a method for conflict resolution and mediation, organizational change and development, community development, leadership training and facilitation of group processes. It stands testament to the power of inclusion and diversity in real and sustained change".

It is an ‘energy’ based process that describes the ‘group consciousness’ and shows how to resolve conflict, particularly when we use voting as our democratic decision tool.

Now Mryna Lewis has published a book which describes Deep Democracy called Inside the No and I would recommend it. Not only does it cover the key aspects of the toolset, it also helps us understand our own internal arguments and struggles, and makes it a little easier to resolve them.

If you are interested in how group consciousness works with personal relationships, at home or at work (even in the wider community) then you will find this an excellent read.

To order a copy go to http://www.deep-democracy.net/inside.htm

Colin.