The Energy of Forgiveness: Lessons from Those in Restorative Dialogue - Hardcover

Umbreit, Mark S; Blevins, Jennifer; Lewis, Ted

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1498236499 ISBN 13: 9781498236492

Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2015

Synopsis

Forgiveness is a profound, life-changing experience for many people who have been hurt by others. But forgiveness is paradoxical in that if one relies on forgiveness language or if others prescribe it as an expectation, the depth of that experience can be significantly compromised. By the same token, many people experience deep forgiveness without ever using the language of forgiveness. Most of the stories in this book testify to how forgiveness is experienced primarily as an inner unburdening of negative emotions, a process that is aided by safe, facilitated dialogue with the offending party. New research on the benefits of forgiveness is on the rise these days, yet there is often little narrative to show the power of forgiveness. The authors present more than twelve case studies that led up to restorative dialogue processes where parties chose to meet together. Whether the case involves the murder of a loved one, a burglary, or the buildup of workplace tensions, a common pattern emerges: as both parties encounter the true humanity of the other person, the negative energy stemming from the offense is transformed into a positive energy that gives both parties a deep inner peace and new freedom. ""Mark Umbreit, Jennifer Blevins, and Ted Lewis draw on decades of observing restorative dialogues and identify a paradox: the more people feel pressured to forgive, the less likely they will forgive. When people are inclined toward forgiving, the less said about it, the better. That can--for those people--create authentic forgiveness, a release of toxic energy. This is an important personal book of personal stories with a fresh perspective on forgiveness within restorative dialogues."" --Everett L. Worthington Jr., author of Forgiving and Reconciling ""Mark Umbreit's book is a gift to peacemakers everywhere. For four decades, he has experienced the profound and miraculous energy of forgiveness as it has been brought forth from within the thorny group situations he has worked in--in his circles, the human heart is healed and revealed, and something that was broken is made whole."" --Mary Hayes Grieco, author of Unconditional Forgiveness Mark Umbreit is Professor of Social Work at the University of Minnesota, Director of the Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking (CRJP), on the faculty of the Center for Spirituality & Healing, and author of numerous books. Jennifer Blevins is a PhD candidate, part of the community faculty of Social Work at the University of Minnesota, and researcher for CRJP. Ted Lewis is Communications Director for CRJP. Since 1996 he has worked as a restorative justice mediator, trainer, program manager, and consultant.

About this title

About the Authors

Dr. Mark Umbreit is the founding Director of the Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota, School of Social Work. He also serves on the faculty of the Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee and on the faculty of the Center for Spirituality and Healing in the U. of Minn. Academic Health Center. He has served as a Fellow of the International Centre for Healing and the Law in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dr. Umbreit is an internationally recognized practitioner and scholar with more than 35
years of experience as a mediator, trainer, researcher, and author of six books and numerous articles in fields of restorative justice, mediation, and peacemaking. He has conducted training seminars and lectures throughout the world.

As a practitioner, he specializes in facilitating dialogue between family survivors/victims of severe violence, primarily homicide, and the offender. He is the author of Facing Violence: The Path of Restorative Justice & Dialogue, which reports on the first multi-site study of victim/offender mediation and dialogue in crimes of severe violence.

Jennifer Blevins is a PhD candidate, part of the community faculty of Social Work at the University of Minnesota, and researcher for CRJP.

Ted Lewis (Editor) is a restorative justice consultant and trainer for the Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking (University of Minnesota). He lives in Duluth, Minnesota, where he runs the Agapé Peace Center.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1498236499
• ISBN 13: 9781498236492
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 148