Aikido and the Mediator mindset

The parties control the content - but the mediator controls the process

You may recall hearing this phrase as part of the mediation training – or may have used this as part of the ‘welcome stage’ or in premeditation.

So let’s have a look at a Japanese martial art called Aikido and compare the philosophy to mediation process.

For those people not familiar with Aikido a useful starting point have a look at Alan Roberts Sensei from Auckland 

An Agreement that lasts 1000 years?

I had often thought about how long an Agreement could literally (well at least in a physical sence) last ...

One of the earliest recorded peace treaties was concluded between the Hittite and Egyptian empires after the ca.1274 BC Battle of Kadesh. Egypt and the Hittites with Ramesses II captured the city of Kadesh and Amurru in his 8th year as king.

The peace treaty was recorded in two versions, one in Egyptian hieroglyphs, the other in Akkadian, using cuneiform script; fortunately, both versions survive ... and actual longivity agreement? Well it crumbled away like the treaty....