A constellation for planet Earth

held at the Bringing Forth retreat, Thursday 2 May 2019. Hazel Hill Wood, near Salisbury.

By Marcos Frangos & Kirstin Irving

We write this blog about our constellation for planet Earth with humility. It risks sounding a grandiose title. We are also aware of the risks of anthropomorphising, when the centre of this constellation is an infinitely complex planet. In spite of all this, we are motivated to share it because it feels it contains wisdom, especially in the context of escalating news around global warming, our role and responsibility as humans in the climate catastrophe we face. It begs the question for us, what relationships can we adopt as humans, that allows Earth its destiny? We have resisted trying to put too many interpretations here, reporting the phenomenology of the constellation.

We’ll leave it to you to draw whatever meaning you wish from it, and we’d be honoured to hear from you if you’d like to share thoughts. You can contact Marcos and Kirstin directly.

Some context:

This constellation was part of our Landscapes of Change retreat, taking place in May, around Beltane. The work itself took place in the Heartwood of Hazel Hill Wood, an extraordinarily beautiful cathedral-like space in this woodland, with majestic beech and Scots pine. Towards the end of this particular retreat, we were deciding on the form for the last constellation, thus far they’d been with an individual’s focus and intention. We shared our thinking with the group, the leaning was towards a collective constellation.

As we continued to discuss options, at one point some crows let out strong calls close by – abrasive, loud - cutting right through. For Marcos this was a message from our feathered relations: “be quiet, listen, stop chatting!”. So, in silence, we held hands around the fire and tuned in.

What emerged was a consensus for a group constellation for planet Earth, picking up on the themes previously voiced: our fear, sense of overwhelm, burnout, paralysis in the face of enormous challenge, as well as honouring the huge strength and commitment for good in the collective wisdom and energy of our group.

A constellation for planet Earth, as reported by Marcos:

I invited a representative for earth. A female participant offered, so we sat next to one another. I began by asking how she was feeling (we’ll refer to her as Earth). Almost immediately Earth felt a constriction as if wearing a corset; she couldn't take a full breath and was becoming increasingly hot in her belly. She also reported a churning stomach. I invited Earth to put her hands in the area of constriction.

In a very uncomfortable place physically, Earth reported her symptoms factually, without too much emotion, similar to someone who’s grown familiar with their illness. I wondered if this was also signs of dissociation in the representative? I asked what support Earth needed, she responded: “I need air”, so she chose a representative for air, who immediately came and sat by her side.

Earth was still in considerable discomfort; air arriving as a representative didn’t shift to the system significantly at that point. I invited further representatives to self-select and represent ‘unknown support for earth’: two came forward, one coming close to Earth, the other circling around the periphery balancing on the outer campfire benches, sometimes moving in one direction sometimes the other. A further representative also came and sat close to Earth (near air) and reported “feeling young”.

Earth, aware of all the representatives around her, spoke with the tenderness of a loving mother:

“my children, I can't do anything more for you...I am sorry”.

These words brought tears to my eyes. It felt to me as if something profound, a realisation or truth, had dawned on Earth as she spoke those words. Having spoken them, Earth reported needing to take space and to physically move (bear in mind the constellation started unfolding during the initial ‘interview’, almost within seconds).

Earth’s movements were unequivocal. She stood up, left the space, and moved away from the campfire moving to a clearing adjacent to us. Earth stood alone and took her space. She began to feel a sense of release and ease from the discomfort; it was clear to me that she needed space around her.

I kept a respectful distance, observed her and asked if I could continue dialogue with her. I also invited all representatives (and the outer circle) to remain in contact, and to give Earth space.

Earth could feel herself pulled with outstretched arms in opposite directions - she reported it as if she was a pair of weighing scales: her sense of the pull of attachment or responsibility to one side, from which was also coming loud noises (beyond the woodland) of chainsaws in the distance. These noises seemed to distress her “can no one else hear this?” she asked exasperated. I was aware of the background noise, but to Earth it felt more intense. In the opposite direction, also with outstretched arms, Earth looked as if to her future (in the direction of the south-west)

“I need to feel a future possibility”, she said, when I asked what this movement or direction meant to her.

I asked for a representative to walk slowly in the direction of this possible future to which Earth pointed, and for Earth to tell the representative when she intuitively felt she was stood in the right place, at the right distance away from her. The representative began to walk slowly away from Earth. At one point, about 30m away, Earth asked her to stop and the representative turned to face her.

Earth, now looking at this future possibility, said this representative place was very important to her. Her energy and attention shifted away from what was behind her (the relationships, attachments, noises and disruption), and moved towards this future. Her sense of balance or a better place seemed connected to this future. I didn't name it out loud, but the number 60 was strongly with me at this point [was this a representation of a time period, 60, 600, 60,000 or 60 million years?!].

Earth settled into a better place in relation to this future possibility, her feelings of constriction and heat dissipated. I thanked and ‘dismissed’ all representatives except for Earth, and invited all the group to represent human beings on the Earth, and to give whatever authentic offerings to Earth, feeling in their hearts the gifts we have received as humans. Representatives one by one, took their time and left flowers, bird feathers, or blessings from their heart (of joy and deep wishes for her good future). Earth received all these blessings tenderly, one-by-one, kneeling on the forest floor.

Once the last of these offerings had been made, Earth gently buried the gifts under a pile of composting leaves. I invited the group to hold hands around Earth, and we intuitively started to walk clockwise around her, an act of honouring, protection and connectedness.

We ended the constellation.

Notes from Kirstin:

I can’t recall precisely when I stepped in to represent ‘warmth’ but it was early on. I felt quite agitated, uncertain where to place myself, searching; I must have been the one that Marcos describes as circling around the periphery. I then had a strong desire to connect with Earth and settle. I came close to her, and I found myself transfixed; I simply could not take my eyes off of her face. It was very still and it felt intense. At this point I realised I was representing ‘shame’.

As Earth moved away to a clearing and started to explore a future possibility, I sat at the side lines. I had an overwhelming desire to sink away, to diminish myself – I wanted to be so small as to become invisible. I knew in that moment that my work was not to be big and clever and to offer answers, it was instead to radically and rapidly diminish myself, allowing Earth the space she needed.

As Earth settled into a better place in relation to the future possibility, Marcos ‘dismissed’ us as representatives and asked us to represent human beings on Earth. I couldn’t bring myself to go as close to Earth as I was being invited to do. I couldn’t offer Earth anything, it felt wrong to suppose that I could. The best I could manage was to come a little closer and offer a deep bow. As we held hands around Earth I had a strong need for movement. In this, I felt we were gathering up all our love and focusing it on Earth in a focused, dynamic, protective embrace.

“Fear FM – don’t bother tuning in, we’re always on air!”

I’ve become acutely aware how often I live in a mist of fear. Functioning, continuing my days, but often through a misty veil. I heard a radio programme with an American psychologist: “it’s fine to let your fears travel in the car with you but tell them: “in no way are you sitting in the driver’s seat, and “no” you can’t use the satnav!” Ok, I get that, but I don’t think it’s as straightforward as commanding our fears. I think we need a new “Me Too” campaign.

Early morning anxiety, ruminations about a piece of work, or a tough conversation needed at a meeting, a relationship off balance? And added to that, a dollop of avoidant behaviour which of course exacerbates everything! Me too. Maybe, you recognise you’re simply living with Fear FM in the background: the white noise of our monkey-minds well versed at stories about stories about stories. Fear FM isn’t simply a waste of attention, it’s more insidious. Our subconscious ruminations lead to fears being projected onto the faces of friends, loved ones, colleagues - and in that space we don’t really meet one another, encounters are through a muffled veil.

“Always on Air!” The ancient amygdala functioning of our brains has evolved (but not much) for thousands of years and kept us safe from dangers. It’s hypervigilance continually scanning our experiences against a vast database of personal and collective memories. It’s asking itself “is this safe, could this be a danger, this feeling reminds me of that frightening episode”. And with that comes all the neuro-physiological responses of fight, flight or freeze, often without knowing our sympathetic nervous system has been triggered, like the mosquito that numbs our skin before its bite. Unconsciously we have increased cortisol levels, accelerated heart rate, widened air ways, eyes dilated and raised blood pressure. Great if you need to fight, not if you’re sat with a dear friend.

So, back to Fear FM. How can we disrupt our listening patterns?

In “Fear: Its Beginning, Middle and End”, Krishnamurti said: “Fear is never an actuality; it is either before or after the active present. When there is fear in the active present, is it fear? It is there and there is no escape from it, no evasion possible. There, at that actual moment, there is total attention at the moment of danger, physical or physiological. When there is complete attention there is no fear. But the actual fact of inattention breeds fear; fear arises when there is an avoidance of the fact, a flight; then the very escape itself is fear.” So, is it our inattention that inadvertently devotes more air-time to Fear FM? It’s no accident that many spiritual practices share mindfulness or meditation, as ways to bring ourselves to the present. We know from neuroscience that stilling the mind, and focussing our breathing triggers our parasympathetic nervous system and allows us to rest and digest.

I want to share a story.In my early 20’s in the beautiful gardens of the Krishnamurti Centre in Madras, I spent time with someone who grew up as a young man learning from Jidda Krishnamurti. He sat with me as I explained that as long as I could remember, fear had always been very close by.

“What are you afraid of?” he asked.  “Loneliness,” I replied.

“Are you feeling lonely now?”. I replied not. He continued: ”What are you afraid of?”

“Dying”, I said. “Are you dead now?” “No”, I said, a bit shocked.

He asked again, “What are you afraid of?” A few moments passed.

“Not being good enough.” “What’s behind that fear?” he asked gently.  “Judgement”, I answered.

“Who’s judging you?” he asked.

“My father” I said.  “Is he here judging you now, in this garden?”

“No. I’m sat on this bench with you”. 

“So, what are you afraid of...?”

He continued with a lucid dismantling of the many layers of fears, unquestionably causing me distress, but none of them present in those moments. The experience was a bit like unpacking a Russian doll set: each doll containing another associated thought, fear or memory. I wasn’t experiencing any fear in those gardens, yet I complained about fear being a constant companion. With his enquiry, in that garden, I’d run out of dolls to keep opening.

Yet, here I am at 50. I still feel fear as a constant companion. I find Eckarth Tolle’s 5 minute video Getting rid of Fear wonderfully insightful. Rather than evade or try and escape fear, he advises “accept the seemingly unacceptable”. Although it’s not pleasant, he says, shine the light of your awareness on your fears over and over again. They won’t kill you. In fact, when we surrender to it and allow it to be, that’s when spiritual transformation happens. We may have to do it over and over again, perhaps all our life, however that ONE thing will be our greatest teacher. Perhaps that’s what Krishnamurti meant: “hold your fear as a jewel in the palm of your hand”.

So, for me, fear FM’s jingle contains some truth - they really are always on my airwaves. One of the joys though that comes from being 50 is a realisation that there’s no silver bullet, no perfect life to be sought. It’s a daily craft, a discipline, an attention and noticing when I’m off balance.

Some tips for all you Fear FM listeners out there who, like me, are searching for other ways.

• Try a daily meditation practice, even 10 minutes can make a difference

• When you feel stress levels rising, take a few steady breaths in and out

• Walk outside, focussing as much of your attention for a few minutes on one thing: really observe the snail’s trail, the bird’s song, the leaf in the breeze...

You may just find these steps return you to the ever changing NOW, and more of your self becomes available to meet life. If you’re interested in deepening your exploration of how your inner and outer worlds intersect, please join us at Landscapes of Change, a series of retreats at Hazel Hill Wood, near Salisbury. We explore questions of balance, and much more besides, in safe community, and as pilgrims on a path.

Wishing you blessings on your path

Marco

Inner and Outer Landscapes of Change - Marcos and Kirstin reflect on the upcoming event series

Find out more of sign up to the first retreat

Meeting the energy of the bull elephant in change work

Listen to Marcos introducing the blog - Meeting the Energy of the Bull Elephant

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to work with three dynamic individuals: the leadership team of a non-profit that’s addressing a sector of the business world that’s not currently engaged strategically in the move to a less carbon-reliant economy. If that sector can get engaged, it could be a game changer. Their work is sensitive and, in some cases, high-profile, so we agreed I’d keep names anonymous.

 Our day began with an enquiry about the intended outcomes of the leadership team given the enormity and urgency of their agenda[i]. We agreed three broad outcomes:

 1) to learn about one other as a leadership team, how best to direct individual talents and energies

 2) to understand dynamics in the team and ‘what kind of change makers are we?’

 3) to get insights into our next steps, and how to approach the work in the world for best impact

 With these in mind, we explored the focus for a constellation and articulated it into a sentence of intention for their organisation. Fascinating discussions honed down to a simple and profound enquiry: “what's really needed, in order for our organisation to be truly in service of this planet”. A huge, yet heartfelt and sincere ask, I sensed.


Working with constellations is like exploring a three-dimensional map of a complex organisational terrain, and for this team, their context is multi-layered spanning wider media/societal/political/business/spiritual landscapes. Our discussions helped us to map some of the boundaries of their system. In systemic work as layered as this, it can reveal patterns, dynamics and connections (or mis-connections) in relationships. It’s helpful as a diagnostic tool to see where there’s good flow, equally where aspects of the system warrant attention, often to free it up for its next steps. You can find out more about this process of constellations here.

“I found the constellations session enlightening and fascinating. I've not experienced anything like it before. It feels like the day with you will accelerate the storming, norming and performing process through which groups travel on their journey to greater productivity. I was able to further define my own role and focus my efforts around what is required”

We started by representing their organisation and the individuals involved, using floor markers set up in the space intuitively by the team. They placed the markers in the room to best represent the reality of what they currently experienced[ii]. My clients stepped in and out of different representations, physically standing on the floor markers, to sense what it’s like from different places. I invite them to use all their ways of knowing, to forget the stories in their mind and trust their body-wisdom. We introduced more layers into their organisational system: their goal, individuals in the team, a resource for their organisation (remained undefined), the outside world, a specific spiritual resource, the qualities of pain and fear.

I’d like to draw out a number of points that arose from our work:

Learning about each other as a leadership team

• The movements and relationships between parts were subtle, sometimes a little nebulous. Perhaps to be expected as they’re a newly- established organisation still “forming” and planning strategically.

• In stark contrast to the majority of these subtle movements, was the powerful presence of visceral fear and anger about climate change, embodied by one of the team particularly (more on that later).

• Language and metaphor was rich. As the constellation evolved, one of the team noted his experience of a “high-frequency energy” flowing through the organisation and its parts; it began its life as a “rack and pinion movement”, a bit clunky and mechanical, but nevertheless achieving an alignment between the parts. It gradually morphed into a “molten metal flow” running through their organisation. Systemically, I sensed that within their team is the wisdom and wherewithal to grow and mature as a leadership team so that the flow of relationships, ideas and energy can become more molten (good flow is an important indicator to me of a healthy-functioning system).

Here’s what my clients said:

"As a relatively new organisation with an ambitious mission, we were keen to prepare ourselves as well as possible to navigate the significant challenges we knew we had ahead of us. As a result of our work with Marcos, we learned more about each other as a leadership team, came to better understand the dynamics at play, between us and with the work, and gained powerful insights about what our best next steps might be. These included how we could most effectively direct our individual talents and energies and how we could work productively with our differences as individual leaders”

Understand dynamics between the team and the emotion of my client’s work  

A specific piece in the constellation struck me. One of the team became aware of their anger and pain in relation to what's happening on our planet caused by climate change. He was visibly moved, feelings coursing through his body in the constellation. I invited him to bring those emotions to be physically represented in the constellation (with floor markers) as they carried a lot of energy[iii]. He almost collapsed over pain and anger, holding them close to his body. We explored what is the systemic function of pain, where does it rest in their system, with whom are pain and fear most closely identified? One of his colleagues gently challenged him: “I’d quite like some of that emotion too, can you share it round?”.

I was struck by the overlay of personal story with organisational story. The team member who initially owned the feelings was very honest: as a seasoned campaigner he’d frequently experienced feeling pain and anger. Both emotions were strongly present in his professional career as well as his family of origin. He’d learned creative strategies to be with them, and indeed make use of them.

We explored the unconscious side of these attachments. For example, if harnessed more widely by the whole team, could these emotions be systemic ‘fuel’ to their work?

 “As a result of the constellations work we did, we connected with our vision and mission in a realistic and grounded way. We each came to see the unique contributions we have to make and we developed a strong shared sense of how alignment and synchronisation between us can power our work to deliver the impact we’re seeking”.

“I am bigger than you” - the shadow that lurks for change agents

My clients’ goal is to influence and bring about tangible change to a section of the business sector that’s monolithic - like facing down the bull elephant as pictured in this article. We explored: “What happens if we don’t run, but stay facing this huge force?” In my experience of systemic work, elephant-like forces can transform into a resource that can be integrated, and paradoxically the thing that seems to threaten the very existence of a system might just contain a homeopathic remedy.

How can we face the enormous power of the ‘other’ (the bull elephant) and dialogue differently?

Here’s an interesting technique: ask an organisation, or an individual change agent that’s seeking change: “do you feel bigger than, smaller than or equal to the thing you wish to change?” In my client’s story of a small organisation facing down the power of vested business interests, what pricked my systemic ears was hearing one of the team mention their desire to ‘obliterate’ a particular form of carbon-fuelled industry. We noted how the very language used can sub-consciously de-humanise what we seek to change. Damaging as that sector might be to the planet, it is a complex web of thousands of people, with families, loved ones, livelihoods. What happens if we replace the image of the faceless industry with the faces of those people?

I spoke about this topic with a friend and change-agent, Daniel Koerner who suggested two approaches: John Croft, the pioneer of Dragon Dreaming, talks about how we silence the forces (individual people) inside a system that might sympathise with us, those would-be potential active or passive enablers by de-humanising the big player.

Daniel explained:

“In every big-player system we find a range of opinions, and through our actions we can amplify the critical, progressive forces within the system, or we can shut them down by treating the system as one big beast (or bull elephant)”

Daniel also remined me of Brenee Brown’s work, in particular her book `Rising Strong` in which she talks about her research on what she calls ‘whole hearted, resilient people’ in our society. One of the main differences of how this particular group tends to see the world around them according to Brown is that they believe that people generally do the best they can. Brene Brown invites us to do the same… By keeping in mind that people do the best they can regardless of whether they work in an NGO or a multi-national cooperation we are able to better relate to the humanity within that institution.

One of the leadership group in my client’s organisation said:

"Being able to collectively, as a group of directors of a new non-profit, work with Marcos on a
a day of contemplation and constellation, focusing on the project we have
embarked on, was a real privilege.
This is a luxury you cannot afford to miss.
The most valuable insight I received from the event, was how my own work
encapsulated the same qualities, as those whom our work is targeting to change.
Challenging? Yes!
Invaluable? Definitely.

Some systemic conclusions for change-makers

Bert Hellinger who pioneered the amazing body of work called constellations, talked about three forces that keep systems together: personal conscience, collective conscience and spirit mind; the latter being the evolutionary force beyond good and bad, victim and perpetrator that’s in service of the whole ecosystem.

• If you want to change anything, especially if you feel passionately about it, I’d say first understand it, meet it and see it through dispassionate eyes - not as you’d like to it to be.  When we see all aspects of a system in their context, recognising that organisations build layer upon layer of values and ways of understanding the world, then each aspect has its place, history, purpose and inalienable right to belong.

• If as a change agent I feel bigger or smaller than the thing I wish to change, I’m more likely to adopt a binary win-lose position. And if I do that, I’m also more likely to perpetuate unhelpful systemic patterns, like victim-perpetrator dualities.

• Strong forces in a system can mirror aspects of ourselves that we haven’t fully integrated.  Next time you face a bull elephant, be curious about yourself and ask: is there a hint of myself that I find hard to live with, and I’m projecting onto the other? And if so, what’s possible if I seek to really own that part of myself?

• Try this out next time you face a challenging conversation with a person you seek to change: have the dialogue as an equal with as much right to belong as you do. You may find it’s possible to meet and see the ‘other’ from the wisdom of the spirit mind.

Some questions for you in your own world of change

What are you finding challenging as a change maker? What feels confusing or stuck? What might become possible if you experienced greater flow? If these questions spark your interest, I’d be delighted to have a conversation with you to tailor some work with you or your organisation.  

“We especially appreciated Marcos’ sensitivity to our work and the deep respect he showed for each of us as people. He struck a beautiful balance between challenging and supporting us, and between providing structure and enabling emergence. It was a real privilege to have this time together and we will undoubtedly be returning to Marcos for support as we continue our journey.”

If you would like to explore your change challenges in community with others, but outside of your own organisation, read more about our Landscapes of Change series… Landscapes of Change  retreats are all bout bringing people together in community at Hazel Hill Wood to curate what it means to live and work with coherence and integrity.

For another perspective on constellations and how this approach can help us work generatively with the dilemmas we face, read my co-facilitator Kirstin’s article Working with Dilemmas.

[i] Recent climate science shows we have already moved beyond mitigation and reversal of global warming. If you’re interested in this, I highly commend Rupert Read’s ‘Shed A Light’ talk to Cambridge students: https://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/events/shed-light-rupert-read/

[ii] Floor markers are widely used in constellations work, mine are multi-coloured squares or circles (representing masculine and feminine aspects). Each marker has a small V-shaped notch to indicate a direction. Representatives stand on the markers and sense that part of the system they’re representing using all their ways of sensing.

[iii] I’m often systemically interested where there is strong emotion, or its opposite, lack of emotion and disassociation. They’re pointers to where there might be systemic patterns worthy of deeper exploration

Working with Dilemmas

by Kirstin Irving - ChangeTools Ltd.

Dilemma: a situation requiring a choice between equally necessary alternatives which are seemingly incompatible”

Life is full of dilemmas, constantly in motion: Should I privilege short-term interests and financial security for today, or take some risk and innovate for the future? Should I drive my team in the direction I believe to be right, or should I invite them to share the multiplicity of ideas they hold? Should I do what is right for me and my family, or what is right for the whole of life on Earth?

Given the tensions that exist, how can we work with the energy of our critical dilemmas to transform the situation and generate ideas for resolution?

In his work on dilemma thinking, Charles Hampden-Turner maps the apparently contradictory values at 90 degrees to one another. Taking the polarised values away from either end of a continuum and turning the line around is an important first step; it changes how we view the nature of the dilemma and how we are able to work with the patterns at play.

In a dilemma, we often find that one of the conflicting values is based around sustaining an existing performance value that is deeply ingrained and well-measured. Known as the ROCK value, it is considered to be the foundation of success. It is strongly protected and feels immoveable.

The other main conflicting value is typically based around change. Known as the WHIRLPOOL value, it is dynamic and considered to be the irresistible force. Capable of keeping pace with or staying ahead of a changing environment, it can be hard to grasp hold of and difficult to predict.

For success through time, both values are needed.

The Five Zones of a Dilemma

To work effectively with the forces at play, we need to understand the five zones of a dilemma:

We find ourselves in the COMPROMISE zone when we avoid the dilemma, deny its existence or accept a compromise in which neither value dimension gets pursued. The result is a downward or degenerative spiral.

Where the rock value dominates, we find ourselves in the TOP-HEAVY zone. Neglect or rejection of the whirlpool value sows the seeds of collapse. Often the rock value dominates through a powerful, though questionable, logic which rejects the whirlpool value as intangible and impractical.

Where the whirlpool value dominates, we find ourselves in the LOPSIDED zone. Neglect or rejection of the rock value sows the seeds of collapse. Often the whirlpool value dominates through a strong energy to overthrow stability or permanence, or through ungrounded enthusiasm.

The CONFLICT zone is where both values are strongly expressed but there is no creative resolution. With the rock and whirlpool values locked in a battle for supremacy, protracted conflict wastes resources. In its destructive form, conflict finds us flipping to the Top-heavy, Lopsided or Compromise zone. In its creative form, however, conflict can be a driver for learning and innovation, with the possibility of a whole new situation emerging.

In the RESOLUTION zone, both rock and whirlpool values are expressed even more strongly, but in a way that involves collaboration, flexibility, accommodation and mutual support. By engaging in a solution-oriented process, the energy that exists in the dilemma is directed to generating ideas for resolution and transformation becomes possible.

“Generative thinking: sparking one idea off of another and creating something new”

Learning to Operate in the Resolution Zone

We can think of navigating a dilemma as a dynamic process similar to sailing a boat: to reach our destination we need to manage the creative tension between the apparently contradictory forces, the tide and the wind, holding them in a generative relationship and making use of timely feedback to tack to and fro, making the best headway possible.

There are different approaches to facilitating this kind of generative process. In our experience, working with constellations is particularly powerful and productive.

Constellations: A Dynamic, Social and Generative Approach

Constellations offers us a radically inclusive approach to navigating dilemmas, honouring and working with all values and views, however unpalatable or discomfiting they may feel to be at the outset.

1. We begin by working with the owner of the dilemma to get hold of the central issues that are creating the tensions being experienced. We always start with dialogue and prepare to explore the dilemma by identifying a straightforward statement of the main inquiry at hand, for example ‘how can I achieve financial stability today while also taking entrepreneurial risk for the future?’. Often this involves sharing some vision of what it might be like to achieve both values despite the tension.

2. Through a facilitated process, we create a three-dimensional living map of the dilemma and the dynamics at play. Holding contradictory opposites can be hard for the analytical mind but through constellations we are able to recognise and hold patterns with greater ease.

3. A fundamental premise of constellations is that everyone and everything in the system – including strongly held, apparently polar opposite, values – have an inalienable right to belong. Through the process, all perspectives and voices are honoured and all are invited to generate ideas for resolution.

4. By tuning into the dynamics of the dilemma in action, we are able to move beyond the binary. We start to see that strongly-held values all have their own context, background, intelligence and raison d’etre. Assumptions are explored and points of view become better understood.

5. Calling on the collective wisdom of the system, new insights emerge and previously unimagined solutions are generated and tested.

6. The dilemma holder leaves the constellation with a greater sense of possibility and often tangible next steps for how to work productively with the explored dilemma. All other participants usually leave with new insights too, given that the essence of the explored dilemma often finds resonance with critical dilemmas of their own.

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”    Rumi, 13th Century

Whether you’re navigating dilemmas in the organisations and communities you’re part of or working with the messiness of life closer to home, building your capacity to open to other perspectives, to change some of your views about the ways in which the world works and to learn through creative, solution-oriented processes is key.

Rather than collapsing into compromise, allowing one value to dominate at the expense of the other, or constantly navigating conflict between values without any creative resolution, constellations offer us the potential to go beyond apparently contradictory views to something new.

Learn more about our Landscapes of Change retreat series and how constellations can enable you to make sense of stuck or difficult situations in a way that is transformative and leads to a greater sense of ease and flow.

To learn more about dilemma thinking and other approaches to facilitating resolution, visit H3Uni. Thanks to Bill Sharpe for sharing this work with us.

“Constellations is a very special process, something that’s a real privilege to be part of. I can’t recommend it strongly enough. It’s extraordinary. It doesn’t make sense, but it’s such a powerful, insightful tool.”

Want to find out more…?

If you’re interested in coming to a workshop check out the upcoming ‘Landscapes of Change’ - Retreat Series, or if you’re new to constellations, take a look at my previous blog explaining the background to constellations, and how I work with clients in workshops.

If you want to discuss the possibility of organising a workshop with Marcos or if you’d just like to have an informal chat, please feel free to get in touch.