Crucible for Change (Engaging Impasse through Communal Contemplation and Dialogue)

The experience of impasse is ubiquitous, manifesting in every layer and arena of our lives. What is not universal is the experience of engaging the impasse in a way that leads to transformation. Crucible for Change: Engaging Impasse through Communal Contemplation and Dialogue sets the pace for attending to impasse in a way that leads to significant shifts in awareness and relationship. Teilhard de Chardin used the word hyperpersonal to describe the next step in the evolution of human consciousness. The hyperpersonal involves free human beings freely engaged in relationship and conversation that yields wisdom beyond that which any particular person can access alone. Crucible for Change gives us a glimpse of such wisdom. The collection of essays is written by women who have participated in Engaging Impasse (2003-2004), a process initiated and developed by Nancy Sylvester, IHM and a design team of professionals from various disciplines. Engaging Impasse participants spent more than a year reflecting on their own experiences of impasse in church and society while dialoguing with others who had similar encounters. Experiences of impasse and reflective dialogue were joined with communal contemplation, and one of the results has been this collection of insightful essays filled with wisdom and courage. This book not only shares the process of communal contemplation and dialogue, it is a valuable resource for those who find themselves in experiences of impasse. Judy Cannato, M.Ed., M.A., author of Radical Amazement: Contemplative Lessons from Black Holes, Supernovas, and Other Wonders of the Universe (Sorin, 2006)