Saturday, 5/13, I began teaching another three-weekend training program for people who would like to be certified as mediators in California Small Claims Courts. 

I do share the history of mediation in the U.S. and people are generally surprised to hear that in the Colonial era, going to court to resolve disputes was discouraged and religious groups provided mediation services as an alternative. 

One person in the class, a chaplain, shared verses in the Bible that speak to not taking your neighbors to court. For example, Proverbs 25:8-9: "Do not hastily bring into court for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret." 

In the discussion, everyone agreed that we in the U.S. too often look to our courts to resolve our conflicts when mediation may be more effective in restoring relationships between the disputing parties.

Recently I got a call from a colleague who said he and his wife had separated and he was headed to family court mediation. He asked, "What am I getting into?"

That just brought to mind how little most people know about mediation much less family court mediation.

Years ago a former student did a poll of people waiting in grocery lines as to what they knew about mediation.

Most said they didn't really know what it was--and one clearly stated "it's when you close your eyes and try to clear your mind."

It remains my mission to help people understand that mediation is a way disputing parties can resolve their own disputes with the guidance of a neutral third party.