This document discusses the importance of neutrality for mediators in conflict resolution. It defines neutrality, impartiality, and objectivity for mediators. Neutrality means having no bias toward either side or preference in the outcome. It is difficult for mediators to remain neutral because everyone has inherent biases. However, cultivating mindfulness through meditation can help mediators stay neutral and create the conditions for productive mediation. The document advocates that a mindful, neutral mediator approaches each situation with care, curiosity, appreciation and respect rather than fear, enmity, arrogance or rejection.

1. www.dyanwilliams.com
(612) 323-1859
dyan@dyanwilliams.com
The Mindful Mediator:
How to Stay Neutral in
Conflict Resolution

2. What key qualities
must a mediator
have for mediation to
really work?

3. + Neutral
+ Impartial
+ Objective

4. What does it mean to
be neutral?

5. Neutral
Not supporting
either of two
opposing sides,
impartial.
– Oxford Dictionary
Photo by: Ramón Peco, https://flic.kr/p/4uhQee

6. Neutral
No bias toward the
parties.
No judgment about
the parties/dispute.
No preference in
the outcome. Photo by: Ramón Peco, https://flic.kr/p/4uhQee

7. What does it mean to be
impartial?

8. Impartial
Treat all alike;
unprejudiced;
fair.
– Oxford Dictionary
Photo by: Palo, https://flic.kr/p/8DKS23

9. Impartial
Apply rules and
guidelines the
same way to all
similarly-situated
persons;
equidistance
between parties.
Photo by: Palo, https://flic.kr/p/8DKS23

10. What does it mean to be
objective?

11. Objective
Deal with
outward things
uncolored by
feelings or
emotions.
- Oxford Dictionary
Photo by: Serge Bares, https://flic.kr/p/c7qWUd

12. Objective
Analyze and
evaluate
positions
based on facts
and evidence.
Photo by: Serge Bares, https://flic.kr/p/c7qWUd

13. + Neutral
+ Impartial
- Objective
= UNPRODUCTIVE

14. + Neutral
+ Objective
- Impartial
= UNFAIR

15. + Objective
+ Impartial
- Neutral
= UNRELIABLE

16. neutrality is usually
harder to come by
than impartiality or
objectivity….
WHY?

17. Neutrality
(Pure Awareness)
Objectivity
(Objective Analysis)
Impartiality
(Middle Way Thinking)
Neutrality is natural, but
not habitual

18. Neutrality = a sign of
weakness (?)

19. “Neutrality is a negative
word. It does not express
what America ought to feel.”
- Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United
States, 1913 - 1921

20. “If you are neutral in
situations of injustice, you
have chosen the side of the
oppressor.”
- Desmond Tutu, South African cleric and activist

21. Neutrality = a state of
impossibility (?)

22. We have biases
We make judgments
We hold preferences

23. In MEDIATION…
Neutrality = a sign of
strength (!)

24. In MEDITATION…
Neutrality = a state of
possibility (!)

25. How does meditation
make neutrality
possible?

26. MEDITATION creates
mindfulness

27. MINDFULNESS is
similar to neutrality

28. What is mindfulness?

29. Mindfulness is
paying attention
to the present
moment without
bias
judgment
preference
Photo by: Yu, https://flic.kr/p/3GpaL

30. Photo #1
June 21, 2014,
2:04 p.m.

31. Photo #2
June 21, 2014,
12:15 p.m.

32. Photo #3
June 19, 2014,
1:10 pm

33. Photo #4
June 19, 2014,
5:15 pm

34. A Mindful (Neutral) Mediator is
like…
THIS NOT THIS

35. Be the…
SKY NOT THE
CLOUDS

36. How do you cultivate
mindfulness
(neutrality)?

37. Meditation in daily life
Photo by: Jelly Druyts, https://flic.kr/p/3pEYdC

38. Open awareness meditation
Photo by: Hadi Zaher, https://flic.kr/p/nKMo55

39. Object meditation
Photo by: Mae Chevrette, https://flic.kr/p/bnXATM

40. Meditation in yoga
Photo by: Aviva West,
https://flic.kr/p/ax3FpV

41. Meditation in tai chi
Photo by: Brian Robinson,
https://flic.kr/p/daoxi

42. Mindfulness takes
FEAR out of the
mediation process

43. Fusion
Enmity
Arrogance
Rejection

44. Mindfulness puts
CARE into the
mediation process

45. Curiosity
Appreciation
Respect
Equanimity

46. www.dyanwilliams.com
(612) 323-1859
dyan@dyanwilliams.com
Photo by: Toni Verdu Carbo, https://flic.kr/p/267df3