How many of us realize that learning to be an excellent negotiator is closely related to developing our Zen mind?  One might wonder, “What on Earth have ‘Zen mind’ qualities to do with mastering negotiation skills as a lawyer?”   

I have been learning and experiencing this inter-relatedness through the Harvard Law School Negotiation Insight Institute, as they explore and teach the connection.  The classes of which I  was a part during the two weeks that I attended this past July, emphasized the skills of Empathy, Flexibility, Compassion and Focus – all Zen-Master qualities, and all the qualities of a Master Negotiator/ Mediator/Collaborator.

According to our instructors, it is through learning the skill of meditation (read this work carefully) that we are enabled to open blocked channels, release positive energy, and make available to our clients healthier, more vital degrees of freedom of choice.  Does this sound Airy-Fairy?  I assure you, Harvard is not an airy-fairy place.  The faculty would not be teaching these techniques if it was not certain of the viability of these ideas.  Here is the catch:  it is only through constant, vigilant, regular practice of the techniques that we are able to find the way through confusion and chaos to peace and serenity.