Tuesday
Finding Riverlogic in Conflict and Communication: Interview with Denise Blanc, MA
A Shambhala Blog Post
Denise Blanc, MA teaches, coaches, and writes at the intersection of mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and conflict transformation. Her new book is Riverlogic: Tools to Transform Resistance and Create Flow in all of our Relationships.
In this interview, Denise discusses how she drew inspiration from Pema Chödrön, other Buddhist teachers, and her diverse professional training in writing Riverlogic, and how we can bring openness and fluidity into our communication, relationships, and lives.
What inspired you to write Riverlogic?
My inspiration to write Riverlogic began several years after having named my consulting practice “River Logic Partners.” The name originated from something Pema Chödrön said in a talk she gave many years back. She had described how we sometimes operate with that she called “rock logic” where we become rigid, righteous, and fundamentalist in our thinking. We are immoveable – kind of like a rock. She contrasted this with what she called “water logic,” where we become more open, adaptable, and fluid. I played with water words and decided to name my newly formed business “River Logic Partners.”
Pema Chödrön contrasted rigid, righteous “rock logic” with open, adaptable, and fluide “water logic.”
Upon taking the name “Riverlogic,” I felt I needed to unpack what river logic meant for me and my work. The power of the metaphor was an invitation to explore interpersonal communication and leadership, which have been my primary work throughout my career as a coach, facilitator, and mediator – but now through the lens of the river metaphor.
Since I wanted to explore how we can make the shift from being rigid to being open and adaptable, the metaphor of the river provided a provocative and powerful model since the river overcomes endless obstacles, adapting to whatever route proves possible to reach their destination – and then rivers are motivated to flow!
My exploration led into me to write about 20 blog articles, which I unrealistically had thought could just easily become a book. It was not that easy and took me about five more years! My goal was to write a small, pithy book which was practical, and that provided tools and practices but also inspiration.
Continuing reading on the Shambhala Blog.
Entries filed under Featured Stories
Giving the Ghost a Voice, Part II – HIGHLIGHT
Sharing a personal experience of racial identity as an Asian American Buddhist by Bryan Mendiola Fingerprint with flag of the Philippines There is one important caveat: I don’t know how to talk about race. The term Asian American was never spoken in my home growing up, and this quietly ... continuePosted May 20, 2016 by CGH
Giving the Ghost a Voice, Part I – HIGHLIGHT
Contradictory feelings about race can be honored in Buddhism. by Bryan Mendiola I didn’t realize how much I had been skirting issues of race in my life until my Buddhist path, quite unexpectedly, led me right back to them. When I completed my graduate training as a psychologist about ... continuePosted May 18, 2016 by CGH
Precious Events – HIGHLIGHT
The Sakyong Wangmo shares appreciation for precious events The Sakyong looks on as the Sakyong Wangmo lights the shrine on the first day of the puja at the Kalapa Court As I reflect from the Kalapa Court on recent events, I’m filled with appreciation for the ceremonies, ... continuePosted May 16, 2016 by CGH
Rude Awakening or Good Grief – HIGHLIGHT
Using dharma and expressive arts to relate with transition when your role as caregiver is over by Andrea Sherman and Marsha Weiner There’s a profundity to caregiving. Caregiving demands that we make sacrifices of our time and resources. If we yield to the process of ... continuePosted May 14, 2016 by CGH
Making Friends with Yourself – HIGHLIGHT
How dharma can ease the experience of isolation when caregiving by Andrea Sherman and Marsha Weiner We continue to explore how dharma can help mitigate caregiver burnout. In this article we explore how practicing unconditional friendship with yourself can increase your resilience and overall health and well-being, especially ... continuePosted May 12, 2016 by CGH
Personal Justice – HIGHLIGHT
An educator contemplates social justice as an essential part of learning, and especially of teaching in the arts Column: Critical Intent by Joanna C. Horton I recall the first time I did an arts activity that woke me up. I was in 4th grade and we were acting like ... continuePosted May 10, 2016 by CGH
Lady Sharon Hoagland Endowment – HIGHLIGHT
Ensuring the Longevity of the Shambhala Lineage by Walker Blaine The start of the year of the Fire Monkey—a year for activity and gathering momentum—was auspiciously marked with the establishment of the first legal endowment dedicated to caring for the Shambhala lineage, the Lady Sharon Hoagland Endowment, which ... continuePosted May 8, 2016 by CGH
Celebrating Spring, and a Birthday! – HIGHLIGHT
The Kalapa Court Celebrates Jetsun Dzedron’s first birthday and Spring Celebration of Culture and Lineage by Norah Murray, with photos by Mike Levy It was warm and breezy as guests arrived at the Boulder Kalapa Court on Sunday, April 10. The gardens surrounding the Court were bursting with ... continuePosted May 6, 2016 by CGH
Deconstructing the Myth of Separation – HIGHLIGHT
Awaken Chicago. The Power of All People. Together. by Debra Hiers Rev. angel with Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and Acharya Ferguson During the first keynote address on Friday morning at Awaken Chicago, the Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Sensei spoke to the power of deconstructing the myth of separation. “It is ... continuePosted May 4, 2016 by CGH
Chicago, Four Years Beyond Peace – HIGHLIGHT
From Imagining Peace four years ago to Awakening Chicago this first week of May, continuing the conversation with Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche by Debra Hiers When Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche addressed several hundred participants in Rockefeller Chapel Friday evening, he first expressed his gratitude for the work being done in Chicago ... continuePosted May 2, 2016 by CGH
To Meat or Not To Meat? – HIGHLIGHT
The topic of meat eating (or not) is not a novel phenomenon of the vegan-paleo debate. It’s one that human beings have struggled with for the past two million years. by Marcella Friel According to food historian and scientist Harold McGee, we humans began eating meat because of ... continuePosted April 30, 2016 by CGH
Leaders at Awaken Chicago – HIGHLIGHT
Social activists and leaders in justice, peace, and enlightened society gather to offer teachings and workshops in Chicago, starting April 29 by Sai Wei Rev. Father Fleger; Awaken Chicago features key teachers at the center of the mandala, Pema Chodron and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, as well as Acharya Gaylon ... continuePosted April 27, 2016 by CGH
Wake Up Chicago! – HIGHLIGHT
An upcoming event with Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Ani Pema Chodron and other wisdom leaders plants the seeds of enlightened society by Sai Wei Many of us have followed the media as it documents the violence in our country and the world. The protests in Baltimore, Laquan McDonald, Black ... continuePosted April 24, 2016 by CGH
Climate and Wabi Sabi – HIGHLIGHT
Earth Day 2016 in Shambhala by Irene Woodard Wabi-sabi is the quintessential Japanese aesthetic, the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. At least, this is how it is defined on the back cover of Wabi-Sabi by Leonard Koren. This philosophy has nurtured my understanding of myself, family, community ... continuePosted April 22, 2016 by CGH
A Vigil for Jampa Pawo – HIGHLIGHT
A letter about Jampa Pawo, addressed to the Shambhala Sangha from Norma Harris It is all but certain, though not certain, that Jampa Pawo, a member of the Atlanta Shambhala Sangha, will be executed on Wednesday, April 27th. We will not know if clemency will be granted until ... continuePosted April 20, 2016 by CGH
RSS feed for the Featured Stories category
View all posts from authors in Featured Stories: