A peek into a Flow Game Host training

Twenty vibrant souls joined us for the Flow Game Host training in Berlin at Beachmitte April 11 - 13. At the same time, two historical threads were weaving themselves together. Toke Møller and I left Denmark for Berlin on April 9, the day 50 years ago when the Nazis invaded. We named for ourselves that we were on a peace mission.

At the same time, BeachMitte itself carries the thread of history. It is built on the former no mans land where playful students dumped sand and began to play volleyball (and never stopped) the day after the Wall came down.

And now to the Flow Game itself --It is interesting to consider how simple -- and yet how powerful -- it can be to find a compelling question, sharpen it with others, play a game and be deeply listened to. 

Let's consider those components...

Finding a compelling question. A question that truly meets the moment can be a doorway into a new perspective, an opening of possibilities, a stunning blow to your worldview or a staunch friend who can take you through the valley of shadow and transformation. We are hardwired to follow a compelling question where it leads -- the brain will not stop until it finds the answer.

Sharpening your question with others. Sometimes, the first questions that appear to us only skim the surface. We look into them and see there is something in the depths, but maybe we can't put our finger on it. Working on questions with others is like putting a spotlight on what really matters. When a question makes you tremble -- meaning it makes your heart leap up and your stomach fall down at the same time -- now that's a question worth holding on to! And a gift from the collective to the individual.

Playing a game. Most of us love playing. We like the serendipity of chance in rolling the dice. We like to pick our card and be surprised. This is exactly how the game can sneak up on you -- you didn 't see that moment of vulnerability or clarity coming! I especially love to play with teams because they have the conversations they ordinarily would never have.

Being deeply listened to. We human beings are social creatures. We long for connection and to be both welcomed and understood. Deep listening is to the heart what rain is to the thirsty plant. It revives, supports and uplifts us. It is no surprise that the word encouragehas courage as part of it.

At the same time, those offering support to the player are not doing so out of their knowledge or advice, but out of intuition. They are invited to be Wisdom Council, something we are much in need of in these times. Practicing this together is a great gift to all of us.

One reason the Flow Game is such a powerful experience is because is it hosted. We offer our training participants a practitioner friend for life -- in the form of a game -- and they in turn are hosted by the game to show up with all of themselves and host others to do the same. So satisfying!

Congratulations to all the new hosts and a BIG thank you to the almost 40 people who came to help us in learning by playing a Community Flow Game!

The Art of Hosting, the Flow Game.... these are practices of community and of consciousness. The truth is WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER. These practices are ways to invite each other out of the cold and back to the fire, a place where ME can be nurtured and WE are better for it.