This document discusses the three levels of reality in deep democracy: consensus reality, the dream level, and the essence level. It then provides a brief introduction to process work, noting that it aims to heighten awareness of inner processes rather than fix problems. Process work looks at belief systems and uses metaskills, deep democracy frameworks, and the path of eldership. It also discusses sensing the field, drawing from Arnold Mindell's book Sitting in the Fire.

1. Ana
Rhodes
Democrazia
Profonda
e
Arte
del
Processo
Deep
Democracy:
The
Three
Levels
of
Reality
Consensus
reality
(CR):
In
everyday
physical
reality,
deep
democracy
deals
with
facts,
figures,
issues
and
people.
Power
struggles
and
issues
of
rank
lie
embedded
in
everyday
conflicts.
Hierarchy
is
often
at
stake.
Measurable
and
quantifiable.
Dream
Level:
In
simple
terms,
the
dream
level,
or
dreamland,
encompasses
the
psychological
and
emotional
aspects
of
reality.
With
awareness,
we
notice
how
what
seems
like
real
people
and
facts
in
everyday
reality,
are
actually
spirits
of
the
times,
roles
and
recurring
figures.
By
playing
these
roles
and
switching
roles,
the
background
to
everyday
reality
can
become
clear.
In
dreams
and
"dreamland",
you
move
in
and
out
of
being
yourself
as
well

2. as
other
people.
In
dreamland,
roles
are
non-­‐local
(spread
out
everywhere
in
the
universe
at
any
given
moment).
Therefore
in
dreamland,
rank
no
longer
has
absolute
significance.
Rather,
fixed
CR
rank
and
power
become
exchangeable,
entirely
relative
and
momentary.
Belief
systems,
cultural
edges
and
inner
critics
are
some
of
the
lenses
through
which
we
perceive
reality.
By
recognising
the
potential
or
the
flickering
of
a
thought
or
value
that
we
often
ignore
or
blame
on
others,
we
bring
to
awareness
these
lenses.
From
a
deep
democratic
perspective
we
need
to
identify
all
of
this
-­‐
identify
the
both
oppressor
in
ourselves,
even
when
we
don’t
intend
to
oppress,
and
that
which
the
oppressor
is
marginalising.
Subtle
signals
(e.g.
shiver
up
the
spine
or
sweaty
hands)
happen
in
the
body
and
we
have
different
ways
of
perceiving
them
–
body
feeling,
movement,
visual,
auditory
(words,
tone,
sentence
structure,
pauses),
intuition
–
all
indicate
activity
happening
on
the
dream
level.
Essence
Level:
(non-­‐measurable
by
scientific
perspective)
–
the
sentient
or
essence
level.
For
example,
the
Buddha
mind.
At
this
non-­‐dual
essence
level
of
experience,
at
the
common
ground
within
each
dreamland
figure
and
behind
everyday
reality,
we
sense
a
kind
of
oneness.
From
this
viewpoint,
there
are
no
separate
things,
only
oneness.
This
sense
of
oneness
is
a
common
experience,
not
a
fact
in
consensus
reality.
A
Brief
Introduction
to
Process
Work
·∙
Is
not
pathological
in
that
it
does
not
try
to
fix
problems,
but
rather
heighten
the
awareness
of
the
inner
processes
and
sources
of
disturbances
·∙
Heightened
awareness
creates
more
choice
as
to
how
to
respond
to
disturbances
and
conflicts,
as
opposed
to
subconscious
behaviour
of
cause
and
effect
·∙
Likened
to
using
potent,
homeopathic
dose
of
the
problem
to
help
create
or
find
a
solution
·∙
Looks
at
and
works
with
our
own
belief
systems
and
edges.
·∙
Connects
with
the
underlying
principle
that
draws
us
to
certain
choices
–
an
intelligence
greater
than
ourselves
that
is
organising
our
choices
in
life
–
to
feel
‘on
track’
with
life
·∙
Process
work
includes
inner
development,
relationship
work,
and
group
work
·∙
Fuses
mystical
&
shamanic
traditions
with
quantum
physics
and
elements
of
Jungian
psychology
·∙
Integrative
model
–
approaching
the
whole
system:
that
which
is
seen
and
unseen,
the
mind
and
body,
the
emotional
and
spiritual
·∙
This
course
is
an
overview
→
process
work
is
lifelong
journey
of
raising
awareness,
shifting
the
way
you
see
things,
seeing
things
as
a
whole,
systemically.
·∙
Includes
the
use
of
metaskills,
the
framework
of
deep
democracy
and
the
path
of
eldership
o
Metaskills
-­‐
the
use
of
multiple
channels
of
communication
and
the
whole
body
to
perceive
the
different
levels
of
reality
simultaneously
o
Deepdemocracy–aframeworkforperceivingreality
o
Eldership
–
the
quality
of
being
able
to
hold
all
parts
of
the
whole
simultaneously,

3. without
judgement
and
prejudice.
Likened
to
‘Sitting
in
the
Fire’,
after
which
a
book
by
Arnold
Mindell
on
the
topic
has
been
named.
Sensing
the
Field
·∙
Arnold
Mindell’s
book,
Sitting
in
the
Fire,
talks
much
about
this
·∙
The
field
is
the
atmosphere
of
the
place
–
sensing
the
field
refers
to
reading
the
group
field
/
energy,
looking
at
the
field
from
different
perspectives
Quantum
Physics
&
the
Field
·∙
In
the
past
–
substance
was
viewed
as
solid
with
a
clear
distinction
between
mind
&
matter
(Descartes)
·∙
With
quantum
physics
however,
it
became
clear
that
substance
is
sometimes
solid,
sometimes
a
wave,
with
huge
spaces
in
between
·∙
The
spaces
in
between
are
just
as
important
as
the
substance
itself
·∙
It’s
the
relationships
with
all
things
present,
including
the
observer,
which
determine
whether
or
not
the
substance
is
a
solid
or
a
wave
·∙
We,
people,
the
group
are
simply
manifestations
of
the
energy
fields
·∙
What
we
are
today
may
differ
from
what
we
were
yesterday
·∙
There
are
many
interactions
and
relationships
in
any
group,
changing
the
energy
of
the
group,
the
field
of
the
group
As
a
Facilitator...
·∙
You
have
to
remain
detached
from
any
fixed
point
of
view
·∙
But
be
open
to
what
is
present,
the
ongoing
changes
and
dynamics
·∙
Reading
the
field
–
physical
and
what
is
unseen
·∙
Everyone
dreams
individually
into
the
interpretations
of
hot
spots
and
edges
·∙
Much
of
this
may
be
projections
from
previous
experiences,
assumptions,
partially
present
in
signals
·∙
In
the
Field
–
we
can
hold
people
in
fixed
roles.
This
can
make
it
difficult
for
them
to
change,
to
present
themselves
differently
·∙
We
tend
to
want
to
fix
things,
we
get
attached
to
certain
states
·∙
Primary
tendencies
emerge
in
groups,
with
individuals
having
preferences
for
one
style
over
another
·∙
The
nature
of
any
field
is
to
find
its
point
of
equilibrium
or
balance
–
this
is
a
natural,
universal
tendency
·∙
Like
a
pebble
thrown
into
water,
causing
ripples
which
then
disappear.
Things
on
the
surface
may
look
the
same,
but
something
has
changed.
For
one
the
pebble
is
now
in
the
pond...

4.
·∙
By
fixing
things,
we
limit
growth
and
change,
we
create
closed
systems
which
we
then
want
to
protect
and
defend
against
change.
Eventually
entropy
occurs,
death.
·∙
So
in
order
for
growth
–
we
need
to
open
to
change,
detach
from
fixed
points,
even
though
this
brings
resistance
in
us
·∙
In
any
group
-­‐
the
field
contains
both
what
is
obvious
and
unobvious
–
stated
schedules
and
intentions
vs.
those
things
which
have
not
been
seen
·∙
Sensing
signals
enables
us
to
sense
the
unobvious,
the
unsaid
·∙
In
any
group,
there
will
be
rank
issues,
collaboration,
jealousy,
etc.
·∙
As
facilitators,
we
need
to
facilitate
how
groups
name
the
ghosts,
the
unsaid,
and
to
process
more
of
the
field
in
order
to
create
more
intimacy

5.
A
central
concern
of
Process
work
is
an
interest
in
facilitating
awareness
of
our
wholeness
as
individuals
and
communities.
Process
Work
concepts
and
methods
aim
to
cultivate
attitudes,
awareness
and
skills
needed
to
facilitate
an
interaction
among
all
parts
of
ourselves.
This
means
getting
to
know
that
deepest
part
of
us
that
Arny
Mindell
calls
the
‘Process
Mind’,
the
part
of
us
that
has
a
special
feeling
for,
is
open
to
and
interested
in
facilitating
all
parts
of
community
life.
(www.aamindell.net)
Proposed New Archetypal Model
Great Mother
Father
Warrior
Amazon
Medicine Woman
Magician
Good King
Queen
Diversity of
Experience
Emerging
New
Archetypes
Diversity of Expression

6. It
can
be
difficult
for
any
of
us
to
perceive
and
value
the
diversity
of
our
internal
and
community
experience.
One
starting
point
is
to
welcome,
perceive
and
get
to
know
experiences
that
lay
across
our
boundaries
of
identity,
including
those
things,
which
first
manifest
as
a
disturbance
to
our
identity.
In
so
doing,
we
may
bump
up
against
our
‘edges’
or
belief
systems,
and
the
cultures
within
which
we
live.
By
facilitating
an
interaction
that
includes
all
viewpoints,
feelings,
and
subtle
aspects
of
our
experience,
we
repeatedly
discover
an
underlying
wisdom
and
direction
that
widen
the
sense
of
who
we
are
and
helps
us
find
our
direction
as
individuals
and
communities.
Process
Work
methods
are
applied
to
a
wide
range
of
situations,
including
working
with
individual
dream,
body
and
symptom
work,
mental
health
issues,
altered
states,
illness
and
coma,
relationships
and
families,
team
work
and
organizational
development
as
well
as
with
large
groups
and
community
forums.
Facilitation
involves
caring
for
the
wholeness
of
the
group.
This
includes
all
viewpoints
and
feelings.
It
also
involves
working
with
the
different
levels
of
a
group’s
experience.
Three
levels
of
experience
We
describe
three
levels
of
experience:
Consensus
Reality:
CR
refers
to
the
outer
situation,
the
facts
and
figures
surrounding
an
issue,
dynamics
of
power,
rank
and
privilege,
economics
and
human
rights,
the
media
perceptions,
laws
and
policies.
Dreamland:
This
refers
to
the
underlying
roles
and
polarizations
in
a
field,
which
we
all
are
connected
to
-­‐
including
the
deep
feelings
behind
the
various
positions
people
take.
It
includes
ghost
roles,
meaning
the
figures,
which
are
being
spoken
about
but
not
represented.
Essence:
This
level
precedes
polarizations,
or
it
is
the
level
where
polarizations
dissolve.
It
is
an
experience
of
subtle
feelings
and
intuitions
that
can
barely
be
caught
and
not
yet
verbalized.
It
is
often
felt
as
a
sense
of
unity.
Fields
When
facilitating
individuals,
as
well
as
small
or
large
group,
we
are
facilitating
an
underlying
“field”
that
is
expressing
itself
through
us.
In
myths,
the
field
has
often
been
imagined
as
an
Anthropos
figure.
In
some
myths,
this
figure
creates
the
world
by
using
its
own
body
parts
to
form
the
basic
parts
of
the
universe.
The
field
is
often
seen
as
having
a
mind
of
its
own,
one
that
is
awakening.
Through
our
feelings
and
experiences,
we
are
channels
for
the
field.
The
field
becomes
conscious
when
we
become
aware
of
our
perceptions.
The
field
manifests
its
wisdom
only
when
it
is
made
conscious
to
us
all,
i.e.,
when
all
its
parts
are
represented
and
appreciated.
Deep
Democracy
Deep
Democracy
is
a
philosophy
and
a
feeling-­‐attitude
of
the
facilitator.
It
refers
to
recognizing
the
wisdom
or
direction
that
arises
out
of
the
interaction
of
all
parts,
points
of
view,
feelings,
and
dimensions
of
experience.
For
a
group
or
community
to
be
whole,
all
parts
of
the
system
need
the
opportunity
to
express
themselves
and
interact.
Deep
democracy
means
including
experiences
that
are
often
marginalized
from
group
life,
and
including
all
levels
-­‐-­‐
Consensus
Reality,
Dreamland,
and
the
Essence
level.
Group
Identity
To
find
a
group's
identity
ask
it,”
Who
are
we?
Members
of
a
group
which
got
together
to
work
for
peace
might
answer,
“We
are
a
group
of
peace-­‐loving
individuals”
Students
at
a
university
might
reply,
“We
are
here
to
learn
and
to
respect
our
teachers'
wisdom.”
An
important
word
in
these
answers
is
“We”.
The
“We”
of
the
group's
answer
tends
to
define
its
identity.
A
group
might
not
explicitly
state
its
identity;
often

7. identity
is
implied
by
the
shared
ideals
and
communication
structure
a
group
embraces.
The
‘other’
or
‘disturbance’
A
group
which
identifies
itself
as
peace
loving
might
find
itself
in
a
heated
and
nearly
violent
debate
about
the
proper
path
to
world
peace.
Conflict
is
beyond
the
boundaries
of
the
peaceful
group's
identity.
While
trying
to
be
peaceful,
they
will
get
entangled
into
more
and
more
conflict.
Each
will
see
the
other
as
the
cause
of
the
conflict.
University
students
may
be
excited
about
learning
but
have
strong
ideas
about
how
they
should
be
taught,
unaware
of
how
they
are
already
teachers!
In
turn,
the
teaching
staff
may
not
want
to
learn
from
their
students,
or
expect
only
the
students
to
be
learners,
rather
than
model
their
own
learning
spirit.
Both
groups
are
having
experiences
beyond
the
edge
of
their
identities.
When
an
individual
or
group
can
become
aware
of
how
they
inhabit
both
roles,
this
reduces
rigid
polarities,
and
can
transform
relationships
and
community.
Roles
and
positions
In
group
life
there
are
different
“positions”
we
have,
and
underlying
roles,
which
may
be
occupied
by
anyone.
In
the
example
above,
students
(in
the
student
position)
are
at
a
certain
moment
also
in
the
role
of
teacher.
The
teachers
(those
in
the
position
of
teacher)
may
find
it
difficult
to
shift
out
of
the
role
of
teacher
into
the
role
of
student,
to
learn
from
the
identified
students.
When
both
positions
remain
locked
in
their
roles,
conflict
results.
Ghosts
Roles
A
role
that
can
be
felt
but
not
seen
-­‐
it
remains
"ghostlike".
In
the
case
of
the
peace-­‐loving
group,
there
is
a
role,
which
no
one
will
identify
with:
it
is
the
maker
of
war
and
of
conflict.
Conflict
“happens”
in
this
group.
It
is
like
a
ghost
or
spirit,
which
hangs
in
the
atmosphere.
People
don’t
recognize
that
while
they
are
feeling
victimized,
they
are
acting
unconsciously
aggressive.
This
threatens
a
group.
When
it
is
picked
up
consciously,
it
is
often
transformative.
Processing
the
Ghost
It
can
be
an
act
of
courage
and
compassion
for
one
individual
to
notice
that
s/he
is
also
this
‘ghost
role’.
In
the
above
example,
someone
might
recognize
how
she
is
being
aggressive
as
well
as
identifying
with
pursuing
peace.
By
becoming
aware
of
this,
what
starts
as
aggression
unfolds
to
reveal
itself
as
passion
or
energy.
This
role
then
becomes
accessible
to
other
members
of
the
group.
If
the
individual
is
able
to
go
to
the
Essence
of
that
role,
the
energy
or
information
can
be
shared
with
other
members
of
the
group.
When
a
group
is
able
to
get
to
the
deep
essence
of
its
ghost
roles
a
deep
sharing
and
unification
can
occur.
Group
Process:
What
to
Expect?
Worldwork
helps
to
unfold
the
unique
processes
inherent
in
group
life.
Much
of
what
happens
in
a
group
process
appears
unpredictable
and
chaotic;
however,
groups
typically
go
through
some
basic
steps:
The
first
step
is
often
sorting
or
filtering.
This
is
a
time
where
group
issues
are
aired.
The
group
discovers
which
issue
has
the
most
energy
behind
it
and
reaches
a
consensus
to
focus
on
it.
The
group
then
discovers
what
polarities,
positions
and
roles
are
present
in
the
group
field,
and
represents
them.
A
space
may
be
set
for
these
roles
to
interact
and
individuals
go
in
and
out
of
them.
The
group
field
is
expressing
itself
as
many
people
come
forward
filling
in
the
roles
with
the
content
and
personal
material.
During
this
time,
‘edges’
come
up
and
participants
need
support
to
continue.
It’s
also
crucial
to
notice
tense
moments
or
‘hotspots’.
Carefully
going
into
hotspots,
may
sometimes
lead
to
a
temporary
resolution.
Each
group
process
has
its
own
feeling
quality,
and
the
stages
a
group
goes
through
may
vary.
Group
process
sometimes
looks
like
a
group
of
people
talking;
other
times
it
is
dramatic
and
emotional,
or
it
may
look
like
meditation.
Sometimes
there
is
lots
of
movement
and
celebration,
it
is
like
a
big
party,
and
other
times
it
looks
like
a
business
meeting.
Many
times,
people
are
deeply
moved
as
they
witness
dramatic
personal
and
collective
stories
unfold.
Sometimes
group
process
seems
chaotic
as
the
group
plunges
into
the
unknown

8. trying
to
discover
itself
as
if
in
a
dream.
Communication
takes
on
various
styles:
people
talk
one
at
a
time;
people
talk
at
the
same
time;
some
people
listen;
communication
can
be
non-­‐verbal
in
movement
or
silence;
sub-­‐groups
may
shout
one-­‐sided
views
back
and
forth;
and
individuals
may
step
forward
with
messages
that
guide
the
group.
Many
people
often
sit
silently
feeling
a
lot
and
holding
the
bubbling
and
boiling
mixture
of
diversity
as
the
group
cooks
it.
Sometimes
after
intense
moments,
silence
prevails
as
the
group
disparity
melts
into
common
understanding
of
humanity,
creating
greater
feeling
of
community.
Groups
complete
their
work
by
focusing
on
various
levels
of
interaction.
Besides
focusing
on
large
group
interactions,
sometimes
a
large
group
will
give
its
focus
to
one
individual
and
will
learn
a
lot
by
watching
and
experiencing
her
story.
Other
times,
a
relationship
issue
emerges
and
the
group
will
focus
on
a
couple.
Sub-­‐
group
work
becomes
important
when
smaller
groups
within
the
large
group
need
to
work
on
their
issues.
Sometimes
the
large
group
will
stay
together
while
individuals
work
on
things
and
other
times
the
group
work
is
continued
by
individuals
going
on
to
do
their
own
inner
work,
relationship
work
or
sub
group
work.
Working
on
these
various
levels
deepens
the
group
work
as
a
whole
DOBLE
SIGNALS
,
INNER
WORK
• Inner
work
for
the
use
your
subjective
experience
as
way
to
grow
in
your
sense
of
Identity:
• Notice
experience:
• Ask
yourself,
“what
am
I
experiencing?”
in
terms
of
feelings
and
body
experience.
• Unfold
experience:
Choose
one
of
the
sensations
that
caches
your
attention
(
it
may
be
disturbing
one
or
a
pleasant
one)
• Choose
one
and
notice
were
does
it
live
in
your
body
:
Feel
it,
describe
it
to
yourself.
Find
the
most
disturbing
or
appealing
element.
Unfold
it
by
amplifying
it
thouw
the
whole
body,
you
may
want
to
ad
sound,
even
drowing
it
as
well,
dance
it,
sing
it,
etc…
SLOW
IT
DOWN,
but
focus
on
the
essence
and
make
a
movement
that
expresses
this
energy/
quality.
Anchoring
your
Ally
Inner
work
exercise:
anchoring,
second
attention
Relax
and
half
close
your
eyes
and
allow
someone
who
is
inspirational
for
you,
dead
or
alive
to
come
to
you
–
that
embodies
something
that
you
seek
Write
down
a
few
sentences
to
describe
the
essence
of
this
figure
Find
a
spot
in
the
room
that
feels
like
home
and
go
there
Become
the
essence
of
the
figure,
adopt
their
posture,
think
like
them
about
the
work,
breath
like
them
Start
to
walk
like
them
Find
a
movement
and
repeat
it,
express
in
movement
channel,
maybe
a
sound
Let
this
presence
give
you
advice
or
a
message
about
something
you
are
working
on
it
your
life