Find Peace in the Midst of Conflict
In Conflict and Zen: Stories of Presence in Heated Moments, author Aron C. Viner invites you on a journey where tension meets transformation. Through captivating real-life stories and timeless Zen wisdom, you’ll see how staying fully present can turn confrontation into connection, chaos into clarity, and disagreement into mutual respect.
Book Description
In a world where conflict can erupt in a heartbeat, this collection of Zen stories explores presence and mindfulness in conflict resolution, showing how presence can transform even the most heated moments. Conflict and Zen offers stories that show how presence transforms conflict into opportunities for clarity and compassion.
Drawing on his background in social anthropology, business ethics, and negotiation, Aron C. Viner brings Zen wisdom into everyday situations — from the boardroom to the family dinner table. Perfect for readers of mindfulness, philosophy, and conflict resolution, these stories are both practical and meaningful, revealing how presence can transform conflict into opportunities for clarity and compassion. to meet life’s hardest moments with steadiness and insight.
A collection of narrative reflections explores what happens when we meet conflict without trying to manage it or avoid it. Moments of conflict are approached not as problems to solve but as openings to enter. The reflections reveal that conflict can become a doorway to deeper intimacy and understanding when met with presence.
The book does not offer case studies or how-to lessons. Instead, it shares quiet stories: a monk sitting across from yakuza debt collectors in a small restaurant, a father and daughter sharing a silent meal, strangers meeting in hospital corridors and temple gardens. Each story shows how the simple, open awareness of presence can shift even the most difficult moments. A selection of these stories is provided on this website.
Most spiritual writing tells us what we should do. The stories create a field of awareness that the reader enters.
How Conflict and Zen Can Help You?
Conflict is inevitable. How you respond is up to you. Conflict and Zen shows you how to meet tension with calm clarity — and turn every challenge into an opportunity for connection.
Stay Calm Under Pressure
Learn how to remain centered even in emotionally charged situations.
Turn Conflict into Understanding
Transform tense interactions into opportunities for growth.
Boost Emotional Intelligence
Deepen awareness of your own reactions and others’ perspectives.
About the Author
Aron C. Viner brings an unusual synthesis of anthropological knowledge, international business expertise, and contemplative depth to the exploration of conflict and presence. As a social anthropologist, he conducted fieldwork in tribal villages in North Sumatra. Subsequently, he lived in a fishing village on the East Coast of Malaysia studying conflict between ethnic Malay and ethnic Chinese fishermen. His work focused on different types of interpersonal conflict that occurred in traditional societies.