This E-Book is dedicated to all those who do not abandon their dreams

and dare to dance with their dragons! This book falls under the Creative
Commons License, i.e. it can be used and multiplied for non-commercial

DRAGON DREAMING
PROJECT DESIGN

purposes if the authors are credited. If you seek to modify its contents or
use it for other purposes than building projects or organizations using
these principles, please seek permission and let the authors know.
Remember that Dragon Dreaming is a work in progress: Dragon Dreaming has emerged from the work of the Gaia Foundation in Western
Australia. Dragon Dreamers from Brazil to Russia and from Canada to the
Congo are part of a learning, living community, where everyone is doing
their best. This e-book is just part of the developing body of information
about Dragon Dreaming.
If you want to help us make our dreams come true and help the Dragon
Dreaming community grow and pass on the work get in touch. So there
you have it: 100 percent of your dreams can come true. We hope that this
little guide can help you get started with whatever dream awaits you we
wish you a lot of fun and learning experiences. Remember, if its not fun,
its not sustainable! Go, Dragon Dreamer!

If you wish to support the Dragon Dreaming Community by a donation,

please visit http://www.dragondreaming.org/about-us/become-involved/
jc

Project Design

The future belongs to

those who believe in the
beauty of their dreams,
Eleanor Roosevelt
The work at this e-book began in the spring of 2012 with the writing of Ilona Koglin
in co-operation with Manuela Bosch, Angel Hernandez and Florian Mller. It was
concluded in summer 2013 in co-operation with John Croft, Catriona Blanke and
Ilona Koglin, integrating the writings of Monica Prado (Mandakini Dasi) of Juiz de
Fora (Brazil) in co-operation with Bernadette Otto of Penticton (Canada). Our special
thanks go to John Croft, the Co-creator of Dragon Dreaming, upon whose thoughts
and ideas this book is based.
Authors: Catriona Blanke, John Croft, Mandakini Dasi (Monica Prado), Ilona Koglin
Support: Manuela Bosch, Angel Hernandez, Florian Mller, Bernadette Otto, Matthias Brckner
Illustrations: Wiebke Koch
Cover Image: Luiza Padoa
Layout: Ilona Koglin
For more information on Dragon Dreaming as well as a list of trainers and other
useful insights please visit www.dragondreaming.org
PAGE 2

Table of Contents
The Philosophy page 4

Planning page 16

Personal Growth page 5

Setting The Objectives page 17

Dream Time page 5

Defining Your Goal page 18

The Songlines page 6

The Karabirrdt page 18

Win-Win Games page 6

Tasks and Responibilities page 19

Time and Budget page 20

The Communication page 7

The Testing page 21

Generative Question page 7

The Great Resister page 22

Pinakarri page 8
Charismatic Communication page 9

Doing page 23
12 Supervising Questions page 24

The Project Wheel page 10

Celebration page 25

Crossing The Trasholes page 10

Mastery Learning page 26

Four Characters page 11

Feelings in a Group page 27

Exercise: Which Type am I? page 12

Succession Planning page 28

Dreaming page 13

The 11th Hour

The Dream Team page 13

Prophecy of a Hopi Elder page 28

The Dream Circle page 14

The Talking Piece page 15

PAGE 3

The Philosophy
The philosophy of Dragon Dreaming draws upon indigenous wisdom
of the Western Australia Aborigines and is based on three, equally
important objectives: Service to the Earth, Community Building, Personal Growth
// We live in an interesting and challen-

civil rights and participatory democracy

ging time. Massive climate changes are

movements that spans the globe. This

likely, the worlds population is growing

movement unforeseen and leaderless

rapidly, an economy built on debt, and

is literally the activation of the plane-

not on savings, is producing austerity

tary immune system seeking to build a

for billions of people, loss of biodiver-

future that works for all. Dragon Dre-

sity threatens the survival of millions of

aming is a part of this movement and

species youve heard it all before.

aims to be of Service to the Earth,

Given this reality we have two choices.

Firstly, we can wait until the consequen-

contributing to a positive human presence on the planet.

ces of these changes are upon us and

We also live in a very individualized

try to cope as best we can during the

time, and while this has a lot of positi-

crises. Or we can act now, building our

ve effects, it also drives us into isolation.

resilience and adaptive capacity, prepa-

However when facing the challenges

ring in advance and do the best we can

mentioned above, we need to be sup-

to ensure a more positive outcome. Paul

porting each other as much as we can.

Hawken in Blessed Unrest speaks of a

This is why Dragon Dreaming also focu-

massive international movement of civil

ses on Community Building.

society, an intersection of the ecology,

Thirdly we like to live our lives within

PAGE 4

Dragon Dreaming is
all about getting things
safely out of control.

Aha-Moments are highly infectious.

One person sharing their aha moments
increase the chances that others too can

Dream Time
The Aboriginal concept of time

discover something that they did not

The modern world view is based upon

know what they did not know. Sharing

the belief that time is collective and ob-

Ahas in a group can lead to creati-

jectively a linear process, traveling from

ve solutions to common problems. As

past, through the present, to the future.

a Dragon Dreamer practice the skill of

Within this view, dreaming is seen as a

generative questioning, a new world will

subjective individual process, devoid of

our comfort zone. You might be familiar

Personal Growth

open to you. Different people have dif-

reality. Amongst many indigenous cul-

with it: That zone where we know our

The importance of AHA-Moments

ferent experiences in gaining Aha-Mo-

tures, including traditional Australian

ments. Maximize you Aha-Moments by:

Aboriginal culture, dreaming is seen as

way and we deal most preferably with

a collective and objective experience.

those people we feel comfortable with.

Here we feel safe. But we can only learn

The moments when we discover so-

Being in touch with Nature

This prospective allows us access to in-

by moving outside our comfort zone.

mething we did not know, are wonder-

Being in touch with different realities,

terpersonal creativity and a deeper un-

This is where The Dragons lie waiting,

ful. Even more wondrous are the mo-

people, contexts

derstanding. In this view, nothing is se-

and where the name Dragon Dreaming

ments when we discover something of

Traveling into different cultures

parate: everything is a temporary node

comes from. The Dragons represent our

which we did not even know that we did

Observing and reflecting

in a process of flow.

troubles, our fears and uncertainties,

not know it: so called Aha-Moments.

Listening Deeply to the words of

those people in our lives we may have

They generally arise when we have dis-

others

are all visitors to this time, this place. We

difficulties with. If we manage to cross

covered or understood something new.

Seeking signs, visible and invisible

are just passing through. Our purpose

our own boundaries, we learn how to

They can also appear when we find new

Connecting with your dreams and vi-

here is to observe, to learn, to grow,

dance with our dragons we can em-

connections between things we already

sions

to love... and then we return home to

power ourselves more and more to dis-

knew. In any case an Aha-Moment leads

Meditation

country. This means that everything

cover our own strengths and skills. And

to a new perception of some aspect of

Focusing deeply on a problem and

is possible and that when working with

so Dragon Dreaming aims for the third

the world. As a result we have become

then doing something very different

the concept of Dream Time, we are wor-

objective Personal Growth.

aware.

As an Aboriginal proverb states, We

king with the side of ourselves which

PAGE 5

has access to the collective intelligence.

this sharing was through song such

Engaging with the environment me-

This view also suggests that all of us

as passing on directions about impor-

ans we are engaging with a living world

are caught in the present on a bridge

tant landmarks. This is where the name

of which we too are a part. To believe we

between where we have come from

songlines comes from.

can take control of this world through

and where we are going. For some, the

These songlines give purpose and

power over is human myth, an ego-

bridge is narrow and easy to cross, and

meaning to our lives. In this way our life

tism which will lead to frustration and

for others it is deep and threatening.

can be seen as a project with important

heartbreak. We cannot control the pro-

This bridge is held in story a story we

landmarks and songlines in between.

cess of flow of energy, matter, informati-

create moment by moment, building

Thus it is the projects we engage in

on and chaos or entropy in which we are

the stones of the bridge as we travel.

throughout our lives, that give it purpo-

embedded. Aboriginal tradition sug-

This creates an explanation of our lives

se and meaning.

gests that nothing is separate too and

science is proving this over and over.

of where we began, of the important

lessons from key events of our lives and
illustrates where we feel we are going:
the songline.

The Win-Win-Game
The End of the Win-Lose-Culture
Civilization as we understand it is

The Songlines

based upon a certain view of the world.

Why Projects are important

Through our language of subjects (active) and objects (passive) we see the

The Noongar Aboriginal people belie-

world as comprising things over which

ve that everything begins with the karl:

we believe we have power and control.

The yellow fire, in the infancy of the

This is a view that divides everything

morning sun. The karlup is the hearth,

into separate categories: The ones have

the fireplace, where people gather to

power over the others. This in short

share dreams, to tell stories, to make

creates Win-Lose-Games and violent

decisions and plan activities, and to

hierarchy, which we usually take for the

celebrate at the end of the day. Part of

only possible way of how things work.

However we can have power with

these flows. That means that we can
work with anything and anyone always
trying to figure out how to create WinWin-Games. In order to do that we need
to make ourselves vulnerable we need
to try and always see the other side. The
side of a resistor to our project, the side
of a situation that we have presumptions
and prejudice around. By practicing this
new sort of game, we open up endless
possibilities that were not there before.
Win-Lose-Games are unsustainable. If

The Aboriginal Concept of the Dream Time.

we truly seek a sustaining culture, Win-

This graphic shows, how everything is a tem-

Win-Games become essential.

porary knot in the process of flow.

PAGE 6

COMMUNICATION
When using Dragon Dreaming, it is good to be aware that we are
striving for the creation of new paradigms and a new culture. We
need to regain the ability to deeply listen, listen to what the Earth is
telling us, listen to each other and listen to ourselves.
// Dragon Dreaming aims to create a

the questioner and the person questi-

new language, based on the concept of

oned. Generally it aims to uncover what

Win-Win, replacing, wherever possible,

is missing, the presence of which would

that based upon Win-Lose-Games (or

make a difference. It is an open ended

even Lose-Lose-Games). And as with

invitation to engage with what we do

many skills the more we practice the

not know. It occurs through an open-

better we get... Very often, projects will

ended reflective question uncovering a

fail because of non-existent or malfunc-

deeper reality.

tioning communication. But there are

The way we work together in our pro-

various ways of communication which

jects is hugely influenced by the way we

help to realize dreams as well as solve

communicate and listen to each other.

and prevent conflicts.

Generative questions are central to Dragon Dreaming, so please feel encoura-

Generative Questions
Ask for emotional power

ged developing your capacity of creating and asking generative questions.

To help you with this, we have placed
examples throughout this E-Book

A Generative Question is a question that

has emotional power in the life of both
PAGE 7

Pinakarri

certain aspects of human behavior. On

About Deeper Listening

one hand Pinakarri helps people who

Pinakarri is the Aboriginal word for

inner blockages. We tend to stick more

Deeper Listening. We mostly lost the

and more with a point of view, the more

skill of empathically listening to each

someone else argues against it. And it

other and developed a way of mainly lis-

often does not make any difference at

tening to a little voice in the head which

all whether the other person might be

2. Feel the weight of your body: Notice your weight and how the earth sup-

keeps making win-lose judgments. This

right. By taking short breaks of Pinakarri

ports it. This gravity is the oldest force in the universe. If this was a person

voice is very distracting and makes us

we get the chance of cooling down.

supporting you would call it unconditional love. Become aware of the uncon-

are currently in conflict to overcome

A little guide to Pinakarri

Calm yourself and connect with your body:

1. Feel where your body connects with the chair or cushion you are sitting on

ditional love of the Earth for you, the support it gives you.

forget faster: we are for instance

Pinakarri is also helpful to double

able to concentrate for approximately

check what we really want. In silence we

3. Breathe deeply in and out: Hear the difference in tone and feel the diffe-

20 minutes on conceptual theories, be-

can listen to what is going on inside us

rence in temperature between the in-breath and the out-breath. This diffe-

fore the voice starts talking, making it

and see whether this or that point is still

rence in temperature comes from the sun. Who are you? You are the dance

difficult for us to truly listen. Pinakarri

important to us or whether we have

of the material cycles of the Earth with the energy of the sun.

gently silences this little voice,.

lost touch with the original dream, our

Every Dragon Dreaming participant

can call for a Pinakarri at any given time.

wishes and needs in order to be right or

4. Can you hear the drumbeat of your heart? This has been with you since

not to lose face.

before you were born and will be with you until the moment of your death.

You can ring a bell or some other sort of

To stand up for our wishes and needs

signal which has been agreed upon. At

is just as important as cooling down.

the signal everyone will stop what they

If we suppress our dreams and needs we

are saying or doing, and remain silent

will always have a feeling of deficiency.

for approximately 30 seconds. It is up to

And that feeling will come back eve-

the individual how deeply they will re-

ry now and again, and might be a real

Tipp: As with Pinakarri, there are many ways of presencing yourself and speaking

lax, but it is important that everyone re-

danger for our project. It prevents true

charismatically. Hints can be found in the works of Non-Violent Communication,

mains silent for a moment. The purpo-

diversity, which is a necessity for true

Theory U by Otto Scharmer, and Facilitation as a spiritual practice of John Herron

se behind this practice is to overcome

learning and success.

5. Find the point where the tension or energy in your body is strongest. Breathe into that spot, consciously relax and breathe out the tension.
6. You have now silenced the little voice in your head. There are many ways to
achieve Pinakarri. Feel invited to experiment and find your own.

Community Building according to M. Scott Peck.

PAGE 8

The imbalance of dominance and

based on trust the trust that we can

repression can often be found in pro-

share our feelings and dreams without

How to communicate charismatic

ject groups: a few top dogs taking up

being laughed at. Our everyday com-

most of the talking time and pushing

munication acts like a shield: We hide

Trust that it is truly safe to say what we really think

their ideas and interests. Pinakarri can

behind facts and judgments. And yet if

help us to overcome our tendency of

we really open up we can give people a

dominance and repression and thus be-

chance to truly see us and our projects.

coming authentic and real. It can help

We are used to communicating our

us to become human beings who live

ideas in a way that is influenced by

love in action. And it can help us crea-

the little voice in our head wondering

te a loving community in which every

What do I want to say? What is of im-

1. Practice Pinakarri; sit upright and close your eyes. Breathe in deeply. Brea-

individual is heard and seen. When in-

portance to me? Often we are unaware

thing deeply helps you to get rid of fear and tension. Become aware where

troducing Pinakarri, be aware that it

of our words transmitting a subtle win-

you are connected with the earth (through your feet). Feel how your spine

may take a while for people to adjust

lose game of admiration or contempt

connects you with the sky.

to using it.

for other persons, or even dominance

2. Move your attention from your head to just below your navel; this is your

or repression. We are preoccupied with

Hara, the center of balance.

Charismatic
Communication
Win-Win-Language
Charismatic Communication is the attempt to say what really wants to be said
from deep inside. It works similar to automatic writing. All we have to do is to
turn off the little voice in our head. This
often takes a lot more courage than we
think. Charismatic Communication is

interpreting what others are saying, and

what the true meaning of their words
might be
In Dragon Dreaming we are using our
intuition to allow the project to speak

Practice the following with two people sit facing each other and share projects they are doing or might seek to do. They do so in the way they would
normally. After this, they use Charismatic Communication and tell of their
project once more. By doing this they allow their projects to speak through
themselves Do not forget to debrief and share what has been noticed.

3. Using your imagination visualize the bubble of personal space which surrounds every person you are speaking to. Now visualize your own bubble;
size, shape and color. Now make the bubble expand in size until it finally embraces, holds and lovingly supports the bubble of those you are speaking to.

through us. This is Charismatic Commu-

4. Imagine the sense of presence you want to create in the person you are

nication. We recommend you practice

speaking to. What tone of voice do you need to create that presence?

Charismatic Communication in as many

circumstances as possible; i.e. it really
helps when speaking to big audiences

5. Using that particular tone of voice, and practicing the other four steps
simultaneously, let the words flow

or doing small workshops

PAGE 9

THE PROJECT-WHEEL

Theory

The encounter between an initial individual and his/her environment,

Considering
Alternatives

as well as between practice and theory creates two interfaces and

celebrating can be found.

ment of these interfaces, four quadrants

Dragon Dreaming projects can only

are created, characterizing the four dif-

be sustainable when we process through

ferent stages of a project: Dreaming,

each of these stages in each quadrant.

Planning, Doing and Celebrating. The

So each quadrant starts with a dreaming

Dragon Dreaming Wheel is depicting

stage, moves on to planning, then has a

this process.

doing stage and then, at the threshold

an
in
g

integrating both. Through the place-

Implementation

in

drants the dreaming, planning, doing,

at

counter between practice and theory,

br

This means that in each of the four qua-

Administration
& Management

le

in a reciprocal process. It also is an en-

Individual

Environment

Ce

the other. Projects are of a fractal nature.

Awareness

environment. One influences the other

Motivation

in
m

mes one side will dominate, sometimes

ween an initial individual and his or her

in

and/or group doing a project. Someti-

Do

// Every project is an encounter bet-

Testing/
Prototyping

a
re
D

and Celebrating.

Designing
Strategies

Pl

four quadrants that every project shows: Dreaming, Planning, Doing

Gather
Information

Monitoring
Progess

Discerning
Wisdom

Transforming
Results

Acquiring
New Skills

Praxis

from one quadrant to the next, there is

Crossing the Thresholds

Interfaces of Communication
The interfaces are organs of communication, not rigid axis of separation. And
they can move depending on the stage

celebration.
Many of these thresholds may scare
us: The crossing from dreaming into
planning takes courage and a lot of
energy. Especially the crossing from planning into doing can be very difficult

The pattern if the Dragon Dreaming Wheel is also found in ecological systems, in the
formation of weather, in the Native American Medicine Wheel and even within our bodies;
it is the structure which we carry in our brain. One symbolic aspect amongst many is the
analogy to the four seasons (winter, spring, summer, autumn), as well as the four phases
in the life of a human being (childhood, youth, middle age, old age). Also each day can be
depicted by this wheel: Beginning with dreaming, the early morning planning, the doing
and if a person is wise a celebration in the evening.
PAGE 10

Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right

doing, there is a field I'll meet you there,
Jalaladin Rumi
indeed, because it demands real com-

ture our ongoing process. This is what

Dreaming project. Having a balanced

We all have parts of all four charac-

mitment from everyone involved. If a

makes the project sustainable

Dream Team increases the chances the

teristics in us. We change roles from

project comes into a difficult phase, it

project will be realized and the people

situation to situation, from project to

is advisable to ask oneself whether the

will learn new things at a deep level.

project and from one phase in our life

project might be at a threshold to the

next stage.
Celebration is an important step of
crossing the various thresholds between
the quadrants. In other words: every
threshold from one quadrant to the next
(for example from the planning to the
doing) is also a step from the celebration of one quadrant to the dreaming oft
the next one, and thus a step out of our
comfort zone. Also burnout can be prevented by celebrating a lot and at the
right moment. Celebration is the moment when we receive energy to nur-

The Four Characters

The Dreamer, Planer, Doer and
the Celebrator
Dragon Dreaming not only shows the
four stages of a project, but also represents four different personal characteristics: dreamers, planners, doers and
celebrators.
It is good to have a balance of all
four types in your dream team. The reason being that a dream team made up
only of planners for instance will not be
as successful in sustaining the Dragon

At the same time it must be said,

to another. Looking at the cycle of life,

that having these four characters in a

babies and small children spend most

team will very probably create conflict.

of their time dreaming, youth will plan

A dreamer might have a lot of difficul-

most of their time, middle aged people

ties working with a doer, and vice versa.

will do a lot, and older people will want

The planner can find it challenging to

to enjoy life and reflect on it and thus

work with the celebrator, and the other

celebrate.

way around. In western society today,

it is mostly the planners and the doers
who are valued as efficient. In fact the
dreamers and celebrators are also very
much needed: Look for them and include them!
PAGE 11

Which Type Am I?

10
Theorie

A little exercise to get a glimpse of your team.

1. Draw a Dragon Dreaming wheel and its thresholds on the floor (Individual / Environment, Theory / Practice). Also draw them on a flip-chart or a piece of paper. Now
imagine each threshold has a scale from 0 to 10, 0 being in the Centre where the

DREAMER

PLANER

thresholds cross and 10 being on the outsides.

2. Practice Pinakarri and decide on the context in which you want to find out your own
position (i.e. The current project or your life as a whole).
3. Stand on the threshold connecting Individual and Environment and intuitively back

10

Environment

Individual

10

and forth along this line until you find the edge of your comfort zone. How can you
tell where that is? Your body will tell you! You may find that for a second you hold your
breath, or you are aware of a greater tension within your body. Do this for both the
Individual side and Environment side of the Threshold. The outcome does not have to
be 100 percent - it is possible that someone places themselves at 9 for individual (and

CELEBRATOR

DOER

thus introvert) and after that at 9 on environment (extrovert).

5. Record the results on the flip-chart or piece of paper. Join the point you have
marked on the Individual threshold to the mark on the Theory threshold, then on to
the Environment threshold, from there to the Practice threshold and then back to the
Individual threshold (see graph).

Praxis

4. Take the same steps again for the threshold between theory and practice.

10
nal between the environment (extroverts) and practice threshold to the centre point
between the Individual (introverts) and theory threshold, and do it similarly with the
centre point of the theory and environment to the centre point between the practice

6. The centre of your comfort zone will map your dominant tendencies. Find this by

and individual. The two will tend to cross inside one of the four quadrants, or some-

marking half way along each of the diagonals. Now join the centre point of the diago-

times on a line between two quadrants. This maps the centre of your comfort zone.
PAGE 12

DREAMING
Every project that is ever done starts with the dream of an individual
person. During a Dream Circle, this dream is enriched by the collective intelligence. It becomes the dream of the whole Dream Team.
The goal hereby is to make sure, that 100 percent of all dreams come
true! No compromise!

// Every project that is ever done starts

The Dream Team

with the dream of an individual per-

How to choose the right people

son. Often the dream may come out of

a new awareness, a aha-moment. It is

Once a person has an idea or a dream,

through the process of communicating

the first step in Dragon Dreaming is

the dream that the dreamer becomes

therefore to share this with a group of

fully aware of the nature of their dream.

people. Who should these people be?

Most projects get blocked within the

They can be friends, neighbors, family,

dreaming stage because people do not

work colleagues, people with special

share their dream with others. This is the

skills and/ or people from the communi-

first threshold that many good project

ty who may have an interest in the idea.

ideas never cross. In our time and age

For choosing the people it is not

we do not trust the power of dreams

only important to choose people who-

any more. We are afraid of sharing our

se skills and knowledge might help the

dreams in fear of being ridiculed or not

project but that these are people you

listened to at all. And this is what keeps

want to be with and work with. It is all

the dreams from becoming reality.

about the relationships. If the project is

PAGE 13

about a village, a city or any kind of already existing community, it is wise to

think about who will be affected direct-

How to do a Dream Circle

ly by the project. These people should

be involved at least as supporters. If the

After the initiator has presented his/her

the ideas as they are shared. Another

tely what they wanted. If you find the

project concerns the change of a com-

dream and explained what the project

way is for the recording to be done by

energy falling, there is something going

munity, then it is wise to invite people

is to be about, he/she puts the dream

whoever is next to the person with the

wrong. Watch out for Analysis Paralysis,

with good networks and also children

before the team, asking a Generative

talking piece and follow the process as

i.e. that your Dream Team gets stuck in

and youth.

Question such as:

mentioned above. Either way the recor-

the debate over the meanings of words.

der writes the name of the speaker and

Make sure, that there is a flow in the

As the project grows, the Dream Team

might grow too. If more than eight peo-

What would this project have to be

captures the essence of what is being

Dream Circle this way it is an uplifting

ple are involved in the dreaming stage,

like so that afterward you can say this

said. Dont try to capture every word,

experience. The Dream Circle continues

it is better to have several dream circ-

was the best possible way to have spent

just get the gist of it.

until everyone in turn has passed. It is

les for various smaller groups. Also, it is

your time? Or: What would enab-

Once this is written down check with

not necessary that everyone involved in

le you to say yes! I am so pleased I

the speaker that this reflects accura-

a dream circle needs to be part of the

worked on this project!?

important to declare the circle as finished and of course to celebrate!

actual realization of that dream. But experience shows that people often get

And now everyone present answers the

enthusiastic about achieving a project,

question in turn, perhaps using a talking

Use a Pinakarri Bell

once they have shared the dream.

piece. If someone has nothing further

Use a talking piece

to add for the moment, they can pass.

When writing, write the gist of the dream, not a whole paragraph

If someone passes, they can later add a

Each person adds one dream at a time

new idea when it is their turn again. It is

Neither be too rational nor too abstract

important in a Dream Circle that eve-

Relate the dream to real life

Once you have decided with whom you

ry idea is recorded. One way of doing

Write the dream on a beautiful piece of paper; turn it into a piece of art.

wish to share your dream, invite them to

this is to appoint a recorder to capture

.....

The Dream Circle

No compromise!

Remember, to make the most out of the Dream Circle:

a Dream Circle. This is a meeting where

PAGE 14

If it's not fun,

it's not sustainable!

about the diversity and authenticity of

To give an example: The project

each persons dreams, even if they con-

team got on fantastically well and lear-

tradict what others have said. Keep in

ned a lot. Or: We managed to raise

mind that the dreaming stage is the sta-

$3,000 for the project. This is a pow-

ge where contradictions can exist side

erful way to invite the future into the

by side. Sustaining the contradictions is

present. It might sound awkward at first,

the fertile field in which Aha-Moments

but try it. You might find it very moti-

the collective intelligence of a group is

In the Dream Circle, everyone needs

can arise. Behind the dualism there is a

vating instead of imagining the huge

liberated. It is also the process in which

a chance to first figure out what is im-

pattern, a place where the two sides of

amount of work which is waiting, you

your individual dream needs to die, in

portant to them and then to tell their

a contradiction can be true at the same

create energy of celebration and already

order to be reborn as the dream of the

needs to the others (which takes cou-

time. Dreams are often paradoxical and

live through some of the great aspects

whole group because there is a diffe-

rage they may think that they might

contradictory, thats part of the fun

of your project.

rence in energy when I am working on

seem egoistic or fussy). As the project

During the dream circle it should al-

your project compared to when working

continues, however, it will become ap-

ways be possible for someone to find

Talking piece

on our project.

parent what is needed in order for all to

that this particular project is not their

A helfpul communication tool

identify with the project 100 percent.

cup of tea. This person should then be

This dying of the individual dream

might sound easy; it is, however, a step

Only if those present can identify 100

allowed to openly and honestly say so

that can be quite difficult. Recognizing

percent with the dream are they able

even if it might be painful for the group

that the individual alone cannot make

to commit to the project and support it

and / or themselves to hear. It is also

the dream come true can be painful and

wholeheartedly. One law of Dragon Dre-

helpful if each part of the dream is ex-

might take time and a lot of conscious

aming is: no compromise! 100 percent

pressed in the most positive way possi-

effort Do not be too hard on yourself

of your dreams to come true. It might

ble. If someone says what they do not

if it does not happen right away. It is

sound unrealistic at first but it is possi-

want, try to find a way of saying what

a continuing process; be aware that it

ble

it is they do want. It truly energizes a

needs to happen in order for the project

In a Dream Circle we do not make

group if the dream is then read aloud in

to be a collective one, outrageously suc-

judgments about the rightness or

the past tense as if the project has hap-

cessful and nurturing.

wrongness of dreams. This exercise is

pened already.

Another communication tool you may

wish to use during your Dream Circle is a talking piece a stone or a
stick or some other nice thing you can
pass around in circles. Whoever has the
talking piece will have the undivided
attention of the whole group. Talking
pieces are useful in answering a question, exploring a theme, sharing ahas,
debriefing or introducing a new topic or
idea.
PAGE 15

PLANNING
The dreaming stage is about diversity and gathering as many ideas
as possible. The planning stage is about focusing, distilling and
filtering. We define objectives and goals and take the first necessary
steps for organizing tasks, responsibilities, time and budget.
// The first step to project planning is

overall vision the dream of a project

to define objectives. An objective is

with its objectives. The goal thus acts as

defined as limited, achievable, future

an important part of the bridge one is

condition, which is action oriented. The

building, as it is the common statement

objectives can also follow the SMART-

that is used when people are asked to

principles (specific, measurable or me-

state what the project is all about. It is

morable, accepted or achievable or

an agreed statement of where the pro-

affordable, realistic or responsive, and

ject aims to be going.

timely). Different from conventional pl-

Often conventional project manage-

anning processes however, is the playful

ment builds the project goal befo-

way of planning Dragon Dreaming pro-

re building the objectives, but such a

jects (see exercise). To keep the objec-

process often results in a motherhood

tive setting process playful is very im-

statement that bears little reality to

portant, because it keeps energy high.

what the project is really all about, and

If the group starts to lose energy find

ultimately only adds confusion. Dragon

something that will get it playful again.

Dreaming suggests that the objectives

And always remember: Perfectionism

should be created first, as then the goal

is the enemy of the good! The Goal of

is anchored in reality. A goal therefore

a Project is important as it connects the

has the following characteristics:

PAGE 16

 It is concise: It is short long goals

have the disadvantage of bringing confusion to the mind of the reader or listener

Step 1: Setting the objectives

Always try to keep this process playfull. If it gets tough: Celebrate!

It is inclusive: It includes all the basics

1. Thirty post it notes are needed for this

that differ are placed horizontally. How-

that unify the theme and may be refer-

of what this project is about, so that the-

exercise. Divide this by the number of

ever, there can only be 6 to 8 horizontal

red to repeatedly in a column.

re is a clear relation between the project

people present and give everyone the

columns at any given time.

objectives and the project dream

required number

It is memorable: Goals that cannot be

remembered are not worth the words
they are spoken with. As the public
face of your project, goals must be remembered.
It is inspirational: Goals need to inspire
it needs to inspire the speaker and the
reader, but also inspire the public who

9. An objective is then written using the

6. If the number of columns exceeds 6-8

key words: The criteria for the objective

2. The group reads once more through

horizontally, this requires that a person

is that it meets the criteria above (Limi-

the collected dreams. Then they ask

might rearrange the post-its of their

ted, achievable, future condition thats

themselves: Which particular things

predecessor. If they do so, they have

action oriented).

need to be done first in order to make

to justify why they want to move them.

this dream come true?

There can be discussion between the 2

3. Everyone then will write one idea on

each of the post it notes. This should

at this stage, and there should be consensus in the end.

10. Participants place dots on two or

three objectives: The Generative Question here is Which objective if considered first would help make all objectives

take no more than 10 minutes. (Re-

7. This should not be too time and

and 100 percent of our dreams come

member to write on the post it with the

energy consuming: everyone should be

true. The rule is everyone has three

Tip: To test your project objectives and

sticky side on the top at the back!)

aware of their responsibility and tread

dots, but cannot place all three on one

goal (see next page), it is advisable to

4. Then, the first person can post their

the fine line between over analyzing

objective. Be aware: This is not a test of

break larger strategies into smaller pi-

notes to the flip-chart.

(analysis paralysis) and giving in simply

the importance of objectives all are

to put a stop to the discussion.

important in a win-win game.

are to get involved.

lot and prototype projects. For example,

those who want to found an eco village

5. A second person joins them and does

might want to start with building com-

the same. All similar themes are placed

munity by living together.

in perpendicular columns, all themes

8. A team takes one or two columns to

identify key words. Key words are those

PAGE 17

Step 2: Building the project goal

A brief exercise as to how to create your project goals.
Read again your project dreams and objectives: Practicing Charismatic Communication and Pinakarri

The Karabirrdt

but none or just very few come out of it,

Setting up the Gameboard

this particular task may create difficul-

In Dragon Dreaming, the most im-

going into that point, but less coming

portant tool of the planning stage is

out. Something similar may go for such

to create the board of the project: The

points or tasks which have only few lines

Karabirrdt. This is a spiders web

going in and many coming out. But we

diagram (Kara is aborigine for spi-

will talk more about this later on.

ties later on there is a lot of energy

In silence each person writes their own goal; which in their opinion best

der, and birrdt for web or net). Buil-

Once it is finished your Karabirrdt

meets the four criteria above

ding a Karabirrdt is very different than

should have the tasks evenly distribut-

conventional planning, which is not a

ed, so there are no large empty spots or

playful process, but mainly speaks of

accumulations. If there are, this possib-

milestones and to-do lists. The Kara-

ly shows that you have forgotten some

birrdt is like childrens board games

important tasks or have not placed

where there are various obstacles to

and summarized all tasks correctly. If

be overcome as one passes from the

you have difficulties in placing certain

start to the finish.

tasks, try this (sounds magic, but it re-

One of these gets written in the centre of a large sheet of flip chart paper
Anyone can now modify, change, delete, or revise the first statement. But if
a change is made the person who makes the change has to fully explain why
they consider that their amendment is more concise, more inclusive, more memorable or more inspirational
Keep repeating the fourth step: Whatever is written on the paper in 20 minutes becomes the project goal. It helps to keep the time pressure on.

Thus Dragon Dreaming places a lot

ally works): Place this task at any given

of emphasis on the lines between the

spot on your Karabirrdt which is still

You will be surprised at the quality and agreement about the goal produced. But

points or meeting nodes (karlapgur):

empty, and ensure its label fits one of

you may need to remind yourself that perfectionism is the enemy of the good:

The songlines, along which informati-

the 12 steps. For the creation of the Ka-

Debating the meaning of the words will lose motivation for the group quickly.

on, resources, people, money and de-

rabirrdt please remember: Everyone is

cisions flow. And remember: The path

responsible for the whole group. Let go

is more important than the destinati-

of tasks if there are good arguments for

on, the process is in some ways more

that. Remember to Keep it playful and

important than the outcome. For ex-

remember to practice Pinakarri along

ample: If many lines run into a point,

the way in order to listen deeply to the

PAGE 18

Step 3: Creating a Karabirrdt

10. Identify those tasks which have an

Tip: Maximise Creativity. You might enjoy

To create a Karabirrdt follow the bleow mentioned steps.

unusually high number of lines coming

turning the Karabirrdt into a piece of art,

in and going out these may be the

on paper or in wood or as a sculpture

milestones in your project. Mark them.

with other materials, so that you all get

1. Collect all tasks in a brainstorming

5. People then place the post-its in the

session. The focus is on collecting ideas

right positions on the Karabirrdt: Wich

quickly and creatively, with little attempt

stage and side?

at critical evaluation. Keep discussing

ideas to a minimum.

may be surprised to find between 1/4

tasks, but do not put to many task into

and 1/3 of the project is started.

one task nor making up too many indi-

drant of the wheel they would fall in

vidual ones. There should be no more

(Dreaming, Planning, Doing or Celeb-

than 48 tasks and not less than 24, 36 is

ration). If there is disagreement, write

a good number to aim at.

team members gather in front of the

Draw little circles at the top of the post-

Karrabirdt and start to intuitively con-

it and write the description of the task

nect the circles with straight lines.

about as many lines going into each

paper in portrait mode, with the four

circle as out of it? If not, are there con-

quadrants and 12 steps vertically, and

nections or tasks missing?

project group left, tasks that take the

project out to a wider community right,
and tasks that are ambivalent into the
centre.

might inspire you even more throughout

the whole process

8. Look at the Karabirrdt: Are there

4. Draw the basic board on a sheet of

three positions tasks that maintain the

immense joy of looking at it, and that it

7. Connect the interdependent tasks. All

3. Then transfer each task onto a post-it.

beneath the circle.

ready started or even completed. You

6. Make sure to name the important

2. Visit the tasks to decide which qua-

both numbers relevant.

11. Highlight which tasks have been al-

9. Ensure that all tasks are connected

to both the beginning and the end of
the project. Number them sequentially
from start to finish down the page.
PAGE 19

others opinions. Try to make building

the person being the best at something

your Karabirrdt a Win-Win-Game, and

automatically becomes responsible for

remember: Keep it playfull!

that particular task. In Dragon Dreaming

Step 4: Delegating Tasks and Resonsibilities

If the Karabirrdt now looks a bit

it is the person who is the most enthu-

Ensure Personal Growth with the following steps

confusing to you never mind. Just

siastic about a task who will be respon-

remember another Dragon Dreaming

sible for it. In order to make sure that no

1. Identify the person who is most enthusiastic and cant wait to get started on that

law: Confusion is the gateway to pra-

one is over-strained or has to reinvent

task. It does help if that person already has certain skills in that area, but they dont

xis. The Chaos will help you to stay with

the wheel all the time, there is a specific

need to be a pro. This persons name is written (perhaps only initials) against the

the question and live your way into

way in Dragon Dreaming to distribute

task with a green pen.

the answer. Also a Karabirrdt is a living

the tasks (see exercise on the right side).

thing, it can change. You can always add

tasks if they are missing. Make sure you
place the Karabirrdt in a place where
all team members can see it. This way

with a red pen (Again perhaps only initials).

Time and Budget

A 20 minute Exercise

everyone is kept well informed of the

projects progress and of tasks that still

Dragon Dreaming Project budgets are

need to be done and who is responsible

done in a very unconventional manner.

for them.

Conventionally, budget process is done

Tasks & Responsibilities

Enthusiasts, Trainees, Mentors
After all tasks have been put on the
Karabirrdt and all Songlines have been
drawn, the time has come to distribute
the tasks. This is also done differently from conventional processes, where

2. Identify the people who are most afraid of making a mess with a particular task

3. Identify people who could easily complete a task but would be bored if asked to
do it again. Their initials are written in black.
4. Green initials apply to the team leader for a task, red to a trainee and black is
a mentor, who can be sought for advice, information, training or support. There
may be a number of responsible people, trainees and mentors for any one task.

by one or two persons over many hours

5. Tasks with no names may be tasks that require a decision of all in the project. If

and days, using a lot of analysis proces-

so write all in green against that task.

ses. But for a Dragon Dreaming budget

process you use the groups collective
intuition: a much quicker process that
is much more fun. (this might be scary, but try it anyhow!). The whole group

6. Some tasks may require special expertise. A green person may be recruited at
some future date for these tasks. They also may suggest tasks overlooked by the
people who created the Karabirrdt and need to have their dreams added to the
dream circle.

gathers in front of the Karabirrdt. One

7. Often if there are holes in the delegation, the people either upstream (along a

acts as speaker. The whole group starts

songline) or downstream can assist with that task.

PAGE 20

In giving a true gift,

the giver receives as much
pleasure as the receiver
creating a rhythm, i.e. By clapping or

Practice has shown that this way of

drumming. The speaker starts reading

creating a budget is pretty accurate.

out loud task by task. For each task the

However it might be wise to add an

members of the team shout the first fi-

The Testing

If this project were to run at a loss, and

The commitment of the team

not raise the money needed, would you be

extra 15 percent in time and money to

Now comes the final test for your pro-

than 4 people, who would be prepared,

gure that comes to mind, money and

whatever result you get. Because ano-

ject plan. Does your team have sufficient

out of their own pocket, to equally share

time wise. They do so along with the

ther very important law in Dragon Drea-

commitment to truly make it happen?

the expense of any loss? Yes, or No?

rhythm. The speaker writes down the

ming says Everything takes longer. So

If the call is genuine, one cannot say

figures. The whole thing should take 20

It is important in this circumstance to

it is good to add a little extra for unfo-

in advance what will happen. But if we

minutes, no longer!

share and celebrate equally either a yes

reseen events... In any case it is impor-

organize the situation so that the per-

The rhythm and the time pressure

or a no. If you find yourself celebrating

tant to take it one step after the other. A

son says yes, thats manipulation. And

help to prevent too much thinking. Peo-

the nos less than the yess then your

journey of a thousand miles begins with

handing on is a violence. Thus the test

ple should really answer from their gut

project is becoming manipulative and

a single step. You can always adapt your

we need is to prepare for freedom. In

feeling. You can either chose to simply

win-lose, not genuinely win-win. The

budget if need be. The first budget is

Dragon Dreaming this is one Generative

take whatever answer was given first, or

reason why we need four people is ge-

merely an orientation, and an invitation

Question that can be answered yes or

collect the answers of several people

nerally to ensure that all those are not,

to start manifesting your dream.

no.

for instance, Dreamers (or Planners, Do-

and come up with the average between

them.

prepared to be one of a team of not less

ers or Celebrators), and that the team is

likely to be roughly balanced.
PAGE 21

If you dont get at least four people

Most Dragon Dreaming projects, even

saying yes, it usually means that there

when budgeted tightly, make a small

is something wrong with the plan. You

surplus. The principle in Dragon Dre-

may need to return and reconsider al-

aming is that this unexpected surplus

ternatives, perhaps trying other less am-

cannot be split up or taken by those

Resister may actually help the project the most by making us aware of unan-

bitious objectives and goals. If a person

who took the risk their costs have al-

ticipated factors, those that we did not know that we did not know. When we

has conditions to their answer, that is a

ready been covered in the project bud-

discover such an active resister, we need to celebrate, as this person, when

no response. Because they have said no

get.

engaged in a way that builds a win-win, will be the one who helps us the most.

now, if the project proceeds, they may

Instead, at the final celebration, after

later say yes and become a part of the

the last payments are made, this surplus

risk team. In the doing of a project, it is

is given as an unsolicited and unexpec-

only the people who say yes here, who,

ted gift to another project which meets

ultimately, are the ones who make deci-

the principles of Dragon Dreaming.

The Great Resister

Working with our Enemies

We should then seek communication with such a person. Ask them the generative question
I know you think our project is wrong (or bad, or stupid), and I would sincerely like
to learn the reason why?

sions over those tasks in the Karabirrdt

Write the answer down and check it for accuracy. Then take the results back to

that involve money. This is not to say

your dream team, and work to find an answer for each point raised. Then return

that they do not consult with others, or

to the active resister with a new generative question.

that the others are no longer in the pro-

Remember our last meeting. We think we have found the answer. . What

ject. But it is only the ones who say yes

do you think?

who have the power to decide about

money as they are the ones who carry

They will usually respond, Yes, but and come up with a second long list.

the risk. Decisions of this group are al-

Repeating this process a number of times will usually eventually lead to a diffe-

ways by consensus.

rent kind of response Yes, I think it will now work! Now comes the sweetest

To date, there has never been a case

of moments, a celebration of heartfelt gratitude. You say, Thank you. You have

in Dragon Dreaming where a project has

no idea how much you have helped our project. Would you like to join our

run at a loss, partly because the risk ta-

dream team to make this dream come true? As a result of the respect shown,

kers monitor progress closely to ensure

the person may say Yes!.

that inappropriate risks are not taken.

Dance with your dragons!

PAGE 22

DOING
All that we have spoken about so far, is merely the map for Dragon
Dreaming it is not walking the country of Dragon Dreaming.
// Without the doing stage, Dragon

Communication; relaxation, body mo-

Dreaming is just theory. In doing your

vements and strengthening our missi-

projects, your dragon will come looking

on. Adding the years of personal expe-

for you. It is in doing the project that

rience found amongst the members of

you learn to:

each group, when totaled together, is

Integrate theory and practice

far greater than any individual experi-

Increase your level of self-awareness

ence. It is therefore important to access

Imrpove your work as a team member

the collective intelligence, the riches

Expand your own paradigms about

and wisdom of life of each.

yourself, your community and the world

The Doing stage is also where we

Create the tactics that take the strat-

administer and manage the project.

egy of your project and make it happen

It is also where things can most easily

Work creatively with conflicts

seriously go wrong. Its about monito-

Learn how to manage stress and risk

ring progress and adapting to changes:

Extend the limits of your personal and

Are we still on time? Are our costs still

collective potential.

covered? Do we need to adapt our planning? How do we manage stress (a

To be able to do this, it is important to

very important question) ? How do

recognize the fractal nature of projects:

we minimize risk? Are we actually still

Through

realizing the original dream or have we

Pinakarri

and

Charismatic

PAGE 23

been so busy that we have blindly mo-

12 Supervising Questions

ved into a completely new direction?

How to make sure, that your project is on track

We constantly monitor our progress. A

very important question in the doing

To make sure your project is on track

these activities still contribute to furthe-

Where should the products of the work

stage as in all other stages is also:

making its objectives occur, achie-

ring the overall dream (review and con-

be delivered? Where is the work best

Are we celebrating enough?

ving the goal and making our collective

sider alternatives if needed)?

done?

Successful management often requi-

dreams come true you will need a tool

3. Who should be involved? Who are

res careful management of time, stress

of monitoring progress. The tool for su-

the stakeholders in these activities?

and resources. It may involve the careful

pervision described here is a democra-

coordination of the work of many peo-

tic process, that occurs for big pro-

ple, those paid for their work and those

jects on a weekly basis. The supervisor

who volunteer their efforts on behalf of

and the supervised organize a mutually

achieving the project goals and objec-

satisfactory time and place, where the

tives and in making the dreams come

person taking the role of the supervisor

true. To achieve this management and

asks 12 questions, reviewing the tasks

administration often requires a process

on the Karabirrdt:

of supervision. Normally supervision is

a method of power over where the
so-called leaders supervise the people who finish up doing most of the
work. In Dragon Dreaming, true to the
win-win process it is different. Everyone in the organization has a supervisor,
and the managers may finish up being
supervised by the cleaners!

1. What did you hope to achieve

since we last gathered (last week, last
month...)? Did you finish it? (if yes, did
you celebrate the success and colour
in the circle on the Karabirrdt) If not
should this work still be done?
2. What extra work do you hope to have
completed by the next gathering? Do

4. How will you involve those who need

In a follow-up these 3 questions should

be asked:

to be involved?

10. Did the answers to the above ques-

5. What spiritual, mental, physical, emo-

tions lead to the successful completion

tional or financial resources are required

you hoped for? Was this celebrated?

for you to complete the task?

How?

6. How can you best get these resour-

11. Is your task succeeding in its impacts

ces? How should the work be done?

upon the environment, in building the

What are the best processes for this

community and on the effects upon

part of the project?

the individuals engaged and all stake-

7. By when is the work required to be

holders and participants? How was this

completed? When should it start?

communicated and celebrated?

8. How might you try to sabotage, dis-

12. End every gathering/review with:

tract or stop yourself from achieving the

When and where can we meet next?

tasks you have set?

How do you feel now? Is there anything

9. How can you best resist the temp-

else you need to add?

tations? What support do you need?

PAGE 24

CELEBRATING
It is the importance of Celebration that makes Dragon Dreaming
different from many other project management tools. Here, celebration is not a task of the noisy extrovert, but rather part of reflection,
gratitude and recognition.

// We strongly suggest that 25 percent

went well in the project and everything

of the cost and energy used in all Dra-

that did not go so well. Celebration is

gon Dreaming projects (including doing

also an important process that recon-

Dragon Dreaming workshops) should

nects the doing of a project back to the

involve Celebrating!

dreaming. It is a way of looking at how

In Dragon Dreaming celebration is

the project we are doing gives meaning

part of the reflection of the introvert.

to our lives. Celebration is where we are

This is because Dragon Dreaming is not

being personal.

about excessive consumption of alco-

This means considering the indivi-

holic drinks, but more about gratitude,

dual person, the project team as such

thanks giving, recognition of effort and

and also as with all Dragon Dreaming

acknowledgment. It is about seeing

projects - Earth itself. We also find the

the other person in their magnificence

three aims of Dragon Dreaming in Ce-

and glory, at the same time seeing their

lebration:

woundedness and brokenness. It is

In Service to the Earth we learn to ce-

about seeing the whole person and ma-

lebrate the game we are playing when

king it all right. And it is about acknow-

creating a project. And recognize that

ledging and honoring everything that

grief is the mirror of love we only

PAGE 25

grieve for what we love, and as long as

a project might bring. We look at what

we feel strongly about what is happe-

we have learned, which new skills we

ning around as, we can engage with the

have acquired and where we have actu-

environment in a passionate, courage-

ally left our comfort zone and encoun-

Keep it playful

ous and enhancing way

tered Aha-Moments.

courage those persons who trivialize

are more than who they think they are.

Celebrating to join in and enjoy?

These skills need to be discovered, ho-

Community building is encoura-

The celebration stage is also a time

ged through Celebration. Communi-

for honoring the gifts and skills that

We encourage your project to have

nored, recognized and accepted. Each

ty is a safe space where emotions can

each of us have received in the pro-

a Celebrating team that ensures this

person who has contributed to the pro-

be shared. Our culture teaches us that

cesses throughout the project. Celeb-

happens throughout the project (as it

ject needs to be thanked.

we should not show our emotions. It

ration is about becoming aware of the

is part of every quadrant). Examples of

Once the doing stage of your project

also teaches us to reject negative fee-

Aha-Moments which appeared during

Celebrations throughout the project can

is finished, make sure you have a big ce-

lings. When we do that, however, we

working on the project. Those Aha-Mo-

include:

lebration. It is only after you have done

are suppressing our positive emotions

ments lead to a new perception, which

Storytelling, Dancing, Singing, Rituals (ce-

that, that your project is actually fini-

along with the negative. We are afraid

then brings forth a new dream. The cyc-

lebrating individual, community, earth)

shed. And so the circle is complete and

of showing our true self, our shadows as

le starts anew.

and of course: Good food!

can start all over again And the last

well as our light and so enter an emo-

We suggest, that in your Dragon Dre-

tional flatland. However Dragon Dre-

aming gatherings, you start with Ce-

aming is about recognizing that we are

lebrating. Ask yourself the generative

all one, we are all connected and we are

questions: How can we gather peop-

all part of what is happening around us.

le together in a way that is fun, peaks

And that not only are we doing others

their curiosity, and motivates them to be

a favor in voicing what they also might

part of whats happening? How can

be feeling, but we actually contribute to

we create an environment that nurtures

the depth and honesty of our project.

those involved, deepens their connec-

Personal growth is enhanced through

tions with each other, and leads to the

celebration, as it gives us the chance to

recognition that we are all part of what

step back a bit from the everyday stress

happens around us? How can we en-

step to your celebration requires ana-

Mastery learning
When a project ends
The celebration stage builds out of
mastery learning, the acquisition of new
skills. Doing a Karabirrdt, dancing with
our dragons, and making our dreams
come true, will require everyone involved to learn new skills, to step outside
their comfort zones, and discover they

lyzing the transformative results. This

needs the following tasks.
Firstly, now that we have finished,
what would we change if we had to
do the project again? This creates the
learning upon which true personal development is based. Secondly, what in
this project have we enjoyed the most,
so as to ensure we build this into any
future project we may do? In what ways
has the project truly led to our personal
PAGE 26

Awareness of Feelings in a Group

The four phases of team building
Just as we can have relationships with individuals, so we can also have a relationship
with a group. The quality of that relationship depends upon our communication: how we feed the dragon that the group may represent. Every
group has weaknesses or interpersonal shadows that need
to be managed. There are four stages of team building:
1. At the beginning of a project when people first
come together and the group is new, the parti-

3. In the third stage, if the group manages to dance with the dragon of discomfort
and stay with the questions which have emerged from the second stage, a period
of silence can appear. In this silence we can recognize that we all
have shadows and internal wounds, which takes us one step
further towards being non-judgmental.
4.

Once we have taken that step, a fourth sta-

ge emerges. This stage comes from our ability to

cipants in their initial enthusiasm generally only

deeply participate and observe at the same time,

show what they think is acceptable to the group

carrying us towards an authentic community.

and enhancing for the project.

This is frequently a deeply healing process.

2. In the second stage, the shadows appear.

Sooo: Celebrate!

The motivation may fall and the project may

Do not be discouraged at whatever stage you are

enter a more chaotic phase. The group may get

in. Its normal. To discover what stage you are in,

lost in win-lose games blaming each other. Groups

will often turn to whom they consider to be the leader of the project and put pressure on them to lead the
group out of chaos. If the leader refuses to do this they
are often blamed by the group which may then seek to find another leader to take them out of chaos. This dynamic risks creating hierarchies

one way we do this is to give an internal weather

report which helps us discover what the internal emotions within the group are. Try finding what feels best to
you and the group. You may also want to investigate other
processes like the work on community building by M.Scott Peck
and Deep Ecology work by Joanna Macy. Also feel encouraged to use diffe-

that weaken the sense of community. To get out of the discomfort they are experien-

rent means for group processes such as movement, creative approaches of all kinds,

cing people may attempt to fix, heal, or convert those they consider to be the cause.

and of course silence. A great opportunity to use Pinakarri!

PAGE 27

growth, the strengthening of our com-

may be better at doing your project

munities, and contributed to the ongo-

than you are yourself, and that you do

ing flourishing and well-being of all life?

this when your enthusiasm for the pro-

The world is running out of the ability

ject is at its highest, not when it is at its

to give any more, and in this way Dra-

lowest. Waiting to the end will see the

gon Dreaming projects are based upon

collapse of your project, and you will

the principle of leaving a place better

become like a vampire, hunting for new

than it was when we found it. Cleaning

blood.

or clearing a space is part of the final

How do you find this replacement?

celebration of any Dragon Dreaming

They will come probably from within

activity.

your dream team, those who support

you in making the dream come true.

Succession Planning
Replace yourself as soon as
possible

They may require additional skills or

training. They too will require a team
of support, and assistance in this way.
A long period of apprenticeship will en-

Everyone will eventually leave their pro-

sure that the history of the project does

ject. But will your project survive your

not get lost when the initiators leave.

departure? Succession planning is ne-

Replacing yourself in this way does

cessary to ensure that projects dont

not necessarily mean you leave the pro-

collapse because the initiator suffers

ject. It does, however, create a deep sen-

burnout, moves on to do something

se of freedom. You know, for instance,

else or their interests change. Usually

that if for personal or health reasons

this replacement only happens at the

you need to leave your project it will

end of a project. But in Dragon Drea-

survive your departure. Replacing your-

ming it is important that you replace

self in this way comes with a deep sense

yourself with someone who you feel

of humility.

The 11th Hour Prophecy of a Hopi Elder

You have been telling the people that this is the
Eleventh Hour, now you must go back
and tell the people that this is the Hour.
And there are things to be considered
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.
Then he clasped his hands together,
smiled, and said, This could be a good time.
There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift, that there are those who will be afraid.
They will try to hold on to the shore.
They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly
Know the river has its destination.
The elders say, we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river,
keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.
And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate.
At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally.
Least of all, ourselves.
For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the people we are waiting for!
PAGE 28