Esalen: Workshops and Other Programs

Are you a hostage to someone or something in your life? The chance of being taken physically hostage is relatively small. However, anyone can become a "hostage" in a relationship with a boss, employees, colleagues, spouse, children, even with oneself. We all know people who feel trapped, helpless, and afraid. These "hostages" can feel as frightened and as paralyzed as a real-life hostage who has a gun to their head. Yet there are people who, even with a gun to their head, behave with personal power, focused emotion, and courage to do the impossible—achieve freedom from the hostage taker.

In this workshop, George Kohlrieser, leadership professor, psychologist, and veteran hostage negotiator, will explore how the techniques and psychological insights used in hostage negotiation can be applied to any personal or professional relationship. Step by step, the workshop will outline the key factors that can remove the blocks that impede resolving tough problems. Business leaders, managers, teachers, doctors, nurses, parents-all can learn to resolve conflict, engage in productive dialogue, change mindsets, and solve dilemmas. The techniques of hostage negotiators can provide a potent framework in any situation where the goal is to live with full personal power.

By participating in this workshop you can:

• Recognize when you are a "hostage" and what to do about it

• Learn to bond, even with an enemy

• Explore how to be a "secure base" to create trust and cooperation

• Learn techniques to "rewire the brain" for maintaining high motivation

• Learn the power of words and dialogue to influence mindset changes

• Learn to resolve conflicts and handle difficult conversations

Recommended reading: Kohlrieser, Hostage at the Table: How Leaders Can Overcome Conflict, Influence Others, and Raise Performance; Goleman, Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships; Steindl-Rast, Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness.

CEUs available for psychologists.

CEUs available for MFTs and LCSWs.

See Seminar Spotlight, page xx.

Recommended Reading

The following books are recommended by the workshop facilitator(s). Through association with Amazon.com Esalen is able to offer the title for sale.

If you would like to buy a book or just find out more about the book just click on its title. Your browser will then open a new window and take you to the book listing at Amazon.com. Here you will be able to read more about the book, find out about similar titles and purchase the book. The Esalen website will remain in the back for you to return to once you are finished with your purchase.

Social Intelligence	Daniel Goleman
Hostage at the Table	George Kohlrieser
Gratefulness: Heart of Prayer	David Steindl-Rast