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
Stepping Onto the Path of Motherhood – HIGHLIGHT
Odessa Rose Lipton Robbins, one of many big smilesCOLUMN: Radical Compassion In honor of Mother’s Day today, Sarah Lipton, Shambhala Times Editor-in-Chief and new mother, decided to share some thoughts about her new journey as well as some wisdom from a recent conversation with Lama Tsultrim Allione ... continuePosted May 10, 2015 by Sarah
Shambhala Launches Visa Card with Ashoka Credit Union – HIGHLIGHT
Alex HalpernOver the past few years, a number of community members have suggested that Shambhala offer a branded credit card to support our work and increase our visibility in the world. Many large and well regarded environmental and social groups have credit card programs for this ... continuePosted May 7, 2015 by
Compassion in Action: The Journey of Medical School – HIGHLIGHT
photo credit: stethoscope via photopin (license)COLUMN: In Everyday Life Sarah Kimball of Boston entered into the Shambhala community in 2007, just before beginning medical school at Harvard. Dan Glenn of the Shambhala Times spoke with Sarah about her experience of going through her training while trying to ... continuePosted May 6, 2015 by Dan
Bringing the Shambhala Principle to Prison – HIGHLIGHT
The Prison Outreach Affinity Circle was started by Trime Persinger in 2013. The group had its first conference call in September of that year. Our main focus is to explore how our work in corrections is benefited by applying the Shambhala Principle to it. One benefit we felt was the ... continuePosted May 1, 2015 by Dan
The Wolves of Mind – HIGHLIGHT
Reflections on Retreat COLUMN: Radical Compassion Shambhala Times Exclusive Interview with Noah Levine conducted by Cameron Wenaus of retreat.guru and Sarah Lipton, Editor-in-Chief of the Shambhala Times transcribed and written by Emma Sartwell, Shambhala Times Volunteer written by Jayne Sutton, Shambhala Times Volunteer One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson ... continuePosted April 29, 2015 by
The Road Home: An Interview with Shastri Ethan Nichtern – HIGHLIGHT
Shastri Ethan Nichtern talks with Dan Glenn of the Shambhala Times about his third book, The Road Home (North Point Press), which comes out today. First thing’s first: this book is really good! I was really inspired, touched, and opened by your book in ways I didn’t expect to be. Photo ... continuePosted April 21, 2015 by Dan
Why Go on Retreat? – HIGHLIGHT
COLUMN: Radical Compassion Shambhala Times Exclusive Interview with Lama Tsultrim Allione conducted by Cameron Wenaus of retreat.guru and Sarah Lipton, Editor-in-Chief of the Shambhala Times transcribed by Emma Sartwell, Shambhala Times Volunteer written by Christopher Schuman, Shambhala Times Intern Going on a retreat is often a large part of our ... continuePosted April 20, 2015 by
Ziji Collective Gathers in Mexico – HIGHLIGHT
by Rianne Pelleboer Mexico City, that’s where the magic is happening this year. Young Shambhalians will gather there in May to enjoy a weekend of sharing experiences and then dive deeper into a leadership training at Casa Werma. People from all over the world will fly to Mexico–or ... continuePosted April 15, 2015 by Dan
Global corporations helping rebuild Tibet ….. really! – HIGHLIGHT
by Mark Curtin Being a Shambhalian employed by a corporation is not always easy. It is almost predictable in meeting new people within the sangha to receive suspicious or somewhat appalling looks when answering the question, “So what do you do as a career?” This is not ... continuePosted April 11, 2015 by
Ordinary Magic – HIGHLIGHT
April 4 is Parinirvana Day, the day when we commemorate the passing of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. This piece by Frank Ryan of Boston shares a personal memory of Trungpa Rinpoche and the Sixteenth Karmapa. The Seventeenth Karma is currently on a tour of North America. by Frank Ryan Among the vast wealth ... continuePosted April 4, 2015 by Dan
Festivities at Surmang – HIGHLIGHT
The winter is a special time for practice at Surmang Dutsi Til, the monastic seat of the Trungpa Tulku lineage in eastern Tibet, particularly after Losar or the Tibetan new year. The Konchok Foundation is delighted to share photographs from the annual Chakrasamvara dance and from the ... continuePosted April 3, 2015 by Dan
Reoch Celebrates at Theme Parks – HIGHLIGHT
Report by Shambhala Times Editorial Staff When asked after he took his Presidential Retirement Oath what he was going to do now, Shambhala’s former President Richard Reoch jokingly gave the cliché response, “I’m going to Disney World!” It turns out he wasn’t joking. Mr. Reoch took a ... continuePosted April 1, 2015 by Dan
Sakyong to Test Acharyas’ Physical Prowess, Strength, and Durability – HIGHLIGHT
Report by Shambhala Times Editorial Staff Acharya Noel McLellan with his fencing trainer Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche announced on Monday that he will put his acharyas through a rigorous series of physical fitness competitions at this year’s Acharya Retreat. The Sakyong said in the announcement, “It has been three years since I ... continuePosted April 1, 2015 by Dan
Jetsun Yudra Celebrates Her 2nd Birthday – HIGHLIGHT
Photo by Benny Fong by Ian Bascetta, Continuity Kusung On a sunny and slightly frozen Saturday afternoon, Jetsun Yudra celebrated her second birthday with a festive and cheerful gathering at the Kalapa Court in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Just before the celebrations began, the Sakyong bestowed birthday blessings upon ... continuePosted March 26, 2015 by Dan
The Koan of Basic Goodness – HIGHLIGHT
COLUMN: Dispatches from the Front Lines by Shastri Jennifer Woodhull Photos courtesy of Maxine Sidran and Joey Johannsen Dispatches from the Front Lines is a bimonthly column initiated by Shastri Jennifer Woodhull of Cape Town, South Africa. It’s intended to open up dialog concerning the conflicts dogging Shambhala groups and centers all ... continuePosted March 23, 2015 by Dan
RSS feed for the Featured Stories category
View all posts from authors in Featured Stories: Jillian_Johnson