'Revolutionaries' & 'Resolutionaries'

In a recent and rather animated discussion on the polarity between mediation and nonviolent advocacy approaches, a colleague with longstanding advocacy leanings spoke rather poetically. “Mediation,” he said lifting his head and breathing slowly and deeply through his nose, “it’s the aroma.” Indeed, mediation seems to lend itself to olfactive processes. To some it smells of sweet as the dew on the beard of Aaron. To others the perfume is so sweet it stinks, used to cover up less desirable winds swirling under the surface. But the tension between these sister circles of peacemaking exists and occasionally catches us off guard…

Rarely do the two communities engage in direct dialogue. The times when I have had the opportunity to do the latter, I have found it most enlightening and productive. As a contribution toward dialogue I would like to offer three ways for framing the issues I have found useful…