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Robert Moss
WAY OF THE DREAMER
mossdreams.com

What is Active Dreaming?

Active Dream Groups as Models for a New Community

Active Dreaming groups are intentional communities in which each member receives the gift of deep listening, the chance to play leader or teacher, and the opportunity to tell their life stories and re-vision tose stories.

In Active Dreaming circles, we recognize the need for strong leadership to provide the structure and dynamic within which extraordinary group experiences can be shared.  This includes selecting and defining a safe and protected physical space.  It means gently insisting on time limits (dreamers can get things done on time), building and maintaining circle energy and keeping everything moving for the two or three hours of a typical session, and making sure that everyone feels at home and that everyone's voice is heard.  Part of the leader's job in an Active Dreaming circle is to ensure that a lively alternation of discussion, movement and conscious group dream travel keeps everyone alert and engaged.

Above all, the leader enforces simple rules that ensure that no one present -- least of all the leader herself -- will try to claim authority over anyone else's dreams or life story.  We are only permitted to comment on each other's material by saying "if it were my dream" or "if it were my life."  In this way, we offer associations and suggestions while encouraging the dreamer to claim the power of her own dreams -- and to take the necessary action to embody their energy and guidance in the world.  Finally, the leader of an Active Dreaming circle gives her power away repeatedly by inviting others to take charge in leading the processes.

In these ways, we fulfill Peter Block's definition of the mode of leadership required to restore and re-story our communities: "Perhaps the real task of leadership is to confront people with their freedom."

© Robert Moss 2011