The Plan

(See Revised Plan for 2020, as The Plan is currently not viable in most areas). 

For the revised and finalized version of The Plan, order the book ‘Dissolving The Dream’)

The Plan

Here is the Plan.  I’ll get right to it, but just a note to the reader: this is a detailed explanation and contains just about all of the information that I thought might be necessary.  It may seem overly complicated, but it’s not.  The Plan is a means to an end, not the end in itself, so it will not read like an entertaining cosmological saga with clashes between light and dark. However, it will actually work.

The transformation of the world will occur through relationships.  The Plan, being the foundation for Dissolving the Dream, is an easy way for us to practice and create more expansive relationships, using small groups as the vehicle.  The Plan does not rely on divine intervention or anything beyond us as we are, so the focus of the groupwork is entirely upon ourselves. The core practices are intended to ease our burdens and align ourselves with our purpose, and they are universally applicable and effective. The initial objective is to create a supportive environment which naturally fosters healing and growth, and the ultimate objective is to ignite the paradigm shift we truly desire.

To facilitate these objectives, there are three essential practices, which are catharsis, creation, and contact. These will be dealt with at some length, but prior to that, some attention will be given to the format and how to create the right environment for your meetings.

General guidelines

The small group is the ideal format to practice in with 10 people as the optimal number, a happy balance between intimate and crowded.  Strive for 10 people, but make sure to stay between 8-12. The duration of the groupwork will cover a span of 22 days, meeting together once a week, for a total of four times. It is preferable to meet in a home, but as long as you are able to create a cozy environment you can use whatever space you have available.  The best time to get together is in the evening around 7 or 8pm, and expect the running time to be two-and-a-half to three hours.  

It is most desirable that the group consists of people you don’t know already, but it is not a deal-breaker.  It is, however, strongly discouraged that you participate in a group with family or people you are intimately involved with currently or have been in the past.  Use the connect page first to find people, and then use your personal connections if you still need a few more participants. 

Arrive clean, making sure to have bathed within 24 hours prior to getting together, wearing simple and comfortable clothing. Leave your shoes at the door.  Show up odor-free, including perfume and cologne.  Make sure to bring water along with you.

Creating the Space

It is critical that time be taken to make sure that the space you will be using is comfortable and cozy. If you are able to, secure a space before attempting to start up a group, but if you cannot use your own home or find a space, ask your group members if they have a space which can be used.  It is best to get started soon rather than waiting for the perfect location.  A few elements are covered below to consider in creating the space.

Light

The light should be warm and gentle, so avoid overhead lighting if possible. Fluorescent bulbs should never be used, although compact fluorescent bulbs are fine.   Lamps placed in the corners are usually the best way to light the room, and lamp shades or bulbs with yellow, orange, or amber hues provide the warmest kind of light.  You should be able to see everyone clearly without excessive shadows.  It’s not complicated.

Sound

It is recommended that there be some kind of background music or white noise.  A completely quiet room is typically more stressful than a room with gentle sounds.  You can use fans, a white noise machine, or gentle music as can be found on the ‘yoga’ or ‘spirit of reiki’ stations on Pandora.  Just keep in mind that the music should not draw your attention away from your compadres.  You can also use nature sounds such as ocean waves or rainfall, but those can be soporific.  Just go with a fan if you’re not sure, as air circulation is an added benefit of using one. 

Smells

It is okay but unnecessary to use fragrances.  I recommend using a diffuser if you do choose to add aromas to the environment.  Essential oils such as lavendar, orange, and frankincense are good choices. Cleansing the space with sage before and after your group meets is highly recommended if it is practical, and you may decide to burn sage or sweetgrass to clear the space at times if the air feels ‘thick’, in which case the air should be circulated and refreshed anyhow.

Seating

It is best to sit in a circle on the floor, or on chairs.  Whatever is most comfortable.  If one person cannot sit on the floor, then everyone needs to sit on chairs so you are all at eye level.  Bring blankets and pillows and even stuffed animals if you want to, except for Teddy Ruxpin.  Do not sit too close together such that you can’t stretch out a little.

Stones

While it is completely optional to have stones, they can be beneficial.  There are two in particular which I will recommend which are easy to find.  The first is quartz, probably the most commonly used stone, with the widest array of benefits.  Quartz tends to amplify strength, invite clarity, and dispel negativity when in cluster form.  A quartz cluster in the center of the group is perfect. It need not be a large chunk of quartz.  Placing a candle next to the stone helps to strengthen the focus, if desired.  The other stone I recommend is black tourmaline, which ideally everyone should have physically on them.  The purpose of the black tourmaline is to limit your absorption of unwanted energies.  Keeping a small stone in your pocket works, or you can buy a piece of jewelry with it embedded.  You can purchase both of these stones from rock shops or online.

Commencement

Commencement means beginning, so here are a few words on how to start.  First of all, start on time.  If people are late, don’t make concessions for them.  Just be on time.  Begin the group after rush hour so people don’t have to deal with horrid traffic.  Keep socialization to a minimum prior to the start time of your first meeting.  The group organizer, or facilitator, should select some songs to play prior to start time so people can listen to music and do some light stretching or self-massage if they like.  A good way to kick things off is to go around the circle, say what your name is, what neighborhood you live in, and how long it took you to get there.  You might then want to ask why others were attracted to the group as well.  After the first week, you can do more fun ice-breakers if you want, such as what your dream role in a movie would be.  After the ice-breaker, move right into catharsis.

Role of the facilitator

The facilitator will be organizing the group, and guiding the group along.  They can ask for help from others in terms of keeping time for breaks, or leading any of the activities you will be doing together.  They are not the group leader, they are just there to gently guide things along.

Role of everyone else

Prior to the first week, offer to bring something along with you, such as any of the above mentioned items in creating the space.  If you need a special pillow or chair, bring it.  If you are meeting in a public place, offer to bring a lamp, a cd player, or a pitcher of iced tea…  Help your facilitator out.  Show appreciation.

Catharsis

Once everyone is situated and you have done a quick ice-breaker, move on to catharsis.  The word ‘catharsis’ may sound like a word that implies some ‘heavy-lifting’ or some tough kind of practice designed to purge and expel negative energy and perhaps even demons.  In actuality, catharsis is simple honesty.  It is the first of the core practices and is intended to release the past, to allow ‘the new’ in.  The job it relates most closely to is that of the psychologist.  And by the way, it’s not a big deal (it’s only a big deal if we don’t do it).

To understand catharsis and make it useful, it is important to make a distinction between telling stories and stating facts.  The former is what people typically do.  The storyteller brings emotional heat tied up with the facts, twisting their version of events to convince others of their point of view such that they feel justified in their behavior.  The storyteller may lose sight of the facts entirely, instead only remembering what fits in with their story, even to the point of completely forgetting the facts and replacing them with what never happened.  In contrast to story-telling, stating facts is what it sounds like.  We simply state what happened or what is happening.  It is very simple.  And very effective.

After commencement, catharsis should take place, and will always be needed as long as someone feels the need to talk about an issue they are dealing with.  Given the stresses and strains of life, it is all but certain that everyone will need to express themselves and be fully heard by others, especially the first couple weeks of your group meeting together.  It bears repeating that catharsis is natural, and is not to be conducted with great solemnity.  Just let it happen.  

To begin, start with a short period of silence (about 30 seconds) just to notice what you feel in your body.  Once that time is up, maintain a light awareness on your body and use that as an entry point to begin catharsis.  There should be no compulsion to talk about something in particular; it should just arise naturally as you stay present with your body.  You may for example, notice that you are feeling tension around your heart and state that you are feeling anxious and self-conscious.  The past will come up on its own, but the real work is to be present to what is occurring in the moment and to state what is occurring.  Our normal reaction is to bypass discomfort and distract ourselves from it, but here the objective is to actually notice it and state it.

Remember, the topic of the conversation is always ourselves, and not some arbitrary topic, such as politics, world events, or what is going on in the cosmos.  If the conversation does drift this way, speak up and gently remind the group to do a brief check-in by taking a few moments of silence.  It is certainly easier and feels less threatening to talk about something that is inconsequential to our sense of security, however, the idea is to notice the discomfort and not turn away from it.  A supportive group setting is ideal to practice this since everyone feels the same sense of insecurity, and naturally wants to be supportive of others so that they too feel deserving of receiving support.  

At the outset, this may feel like a forced effort to abide by a set of rules to constrain ourselves, but it should begin to feel more natural quickly, especially if everyone is fully committed to being there.  There is no reason to think that you should be serious and somber while you are doing this.  The two things to remember are: 1) continually check-in with your body,  2) state the facts.  Group check-ins are not necessary unless the conversation has gotten way too disconnected from the here and now, however, checking in with your own body on your own should be frequent unless you have already trained yourself in body awareness.  As others are speaking, pay attention to what you feel in your body.

Catharsis loosens the grip of the past, not so much by stating what happened in the past, but by stating what is happening now.  What occurred in the past still has the body in a state of fear and contraction, and verbalizing the sensations helps to release the emotional charge behind them.  Noticing what is occurring in the moment and then stating it frees up the energy that is bound up in contraction and helps to release it, bringing the body into a greater state of relaxation and flow.  The act of speaking aloud what you are feeling in your body while in the presence of others triggers a resonant frequency to dispel tension from the body.  Once you are heard and not condemned by others, the emotional knots begin to unravel.  

While paying attention to your body is crucial, catharsis is not simply sharing with others the physical sensations we feel. We need only keep a light, generalized awareness of our bodies, and the words should come of themselves. Body awareness serves as the entry point to the present moment which is why it is important, although the body is a vehicle of consciousness and not the ultimate objective of consciousness. Use the body to anchor awareness and the words will come naturally.

The honesty that goes along with catharsis must be met by the group with the same measure of gentleness, for when we put down our defenses to be vulnerable we should rightfully not expect to be met with condemnation.  The job of the group is to be supportive and to ask questions, however, we should be honest and offer sincere feedback as well.  It is as though we are serving as mirrors for one another such that we are clearly seeing how we are being perceived by our fellow group members, yet at the same time we are being as supportive as can be.  As listeners, we must not lie in order to offer consolation to the speaker.  If we do offer feedback which causes discomfort in others, we should have the willingness to explore ways to help them as well. 

The courage that goes along with being in the group setting entails that we are able to receive what may feel like painful criticism at times in order to go beyond our current limitations.  In no case should there ever be any reprimanding, yet if there is anything critical to be said, it should be stated gently and with an offer to assist in some way.  To criticize and not be available to help is like pouring acid on an open wound.  The willingness to be honest requires the effort to be gentle.

Asking questions is generally the most powerful tool we have, so if you do feel inclined to help someone, framing your suggestion as a question is a good way to do it. You might begin with the words “Have you considered…?” for example. This approach has a more compassionate sensibility, and does not come across as though you are trying to ‘fix’ your compadres. As the weeks progress and you become more skillful in relating to one another, you will be more intuitive and spontaneous in how you conduct yourselves.

At first, it may seem embarrassing to share what we are thinking and feeling with others, but the repression of our thoughts and feelings directly results in our own suffering and in the mass sickness of the world. We are using the safe container of the small group to engage with one another openly and honestly, which is at great odds with the typical conversation of everyday life. Not communicating naturally with others is exhausting and is an enormous waste of energy and vitality, and we need that energy and vitality freed up to bring beauty and joy to the world.

Catharsis is natural when you are in a supportive environment, so for the most part, simply relax and allow. Your intention to participate is the most critical factor. In other words, don’t try too hard! Just keep in mind that the topic of conversation is yourselves and your experience, and not the 10,000 things as Lao Tzu might say. 

The 80/20 rule

In terms of catharsis, this means that we need not reveal everything.  Generally speaking, if we can get about 20% out, the other 80% will be purged along with it.  Besides, noone wants to hear everything.

Eye contact

Get used to looking at one another in the eyes.  While it isn’t necessary to always maintain eye contact, at least set the intention to improve. Make sure to look at everyone as you speak if you are addressing the entire group..  If you notice that someone is always looking into space while they are speaking, or does not look at everyone, let them know.  The idea is to practice good habits and then take them out into the world.

 

Creation

The intention of the creative function of the group is to help you to manifest your desires.  It follows catharsis because without the weight of the past and its concomitant pressures on the body, you are freer to pursue what inspires you without feeling dragged down by unwanted emotional baggage.  The job that corresponds most closely to the creation process is that of the life coach.

Creation is an essential practice for us because it will help anchor our sense of purpose, will give us confidence that we can accomplish our goals, and will assist us in being able to work with others effectively. In order to create group synergy we have to become confident in ourselves, and there is nothing that gives us greater confidence than attaining our goals. When the world lightens up in density due to the radical transformation of a critical mass of people, manifestation will be far easier. Until then, we still have to grind it out and we need a support system to help us. Allow your group to be your support system.

Although the ultimate vision of Dissolving the Dream is to live in a world of perfection in which manifestation is instantaneous and effortless, the creation practice asks that we distill our desires down to what we believe are attainable goals within the next couple years. This means that if you do not actually believe you can have a dolphin tank in your living room in the next few years, do not bring it up.  Not only is it a matter of ‘if’, but also whether or not what you desire is actually good for you and the world as a whole.  Would the dolphin be happy?  How many fish would have to die to feed the dolphin?  How else could labor be used other than to build and maintain a dolphin tank?  And, do you truly want a dolphin tank in your living room?  

While the answers to your particular line of inquiry may not be certain, be sure to ask yourself if your desires are causing more stress on the world than they would be helping.  Allow your group to assist you with this inquiry.  Keep in mind that in a perfect world where we too embodied perfection, our desires would not conflict with the desires of others, nor would they cause others to suffer any pain at all.  

The creation practice should begin after a few moments of silence, following catharsis. (Specific recommendations for structuring your groupwork can be found in the last section, entitled ‘synopsis’.)  As with all speaking during group, do not babble.  State facts simply and honestly.  Share with your group what your experience has been pursuing your desires in the past, and how you feel about the process moving forward.  Let your compadres know what you truly desire or what you are lacking and how would like to fill that void.  Do not allow ideas of what is ‘reasonable’ according to the rules of society guide you.  Only ask if it is realistically attainable within the coming years were you to set goals and then align them with a concrete action plan.  The job of the group is to ask you questions regarding your desires, propelled by sincere interest.  When this is complete, the job of the group is then to ask ‘how can we help you to attain your goals?’

At this point, you must be willing to accept help and come up with ideas regarding how you can receive help in the upcoming week.  State specifically what actions you intend to do in the following days, and then open the field for input regarding how you can accomplish the tasks you have set out for yourself.  As the receiver of help, be proactive in stating how you could be helped, and be open to suggestions.  You can ask your group if they are willing to help you out in certain ways, but don’t to be too demanding.  You are asking for a ‘gentle kick in the rear’, not for someone to do your heavy lifting for you.  For example, if you want to wake up early the next week to exercise, ask if there is anyone willing to text you early in the morning every day.  Do not ask them to come over to your house and be your alarm clock.  Keep it reasonable, yet if someone is eager to help, let them.  Do not deny them the satisfaction of being helpful. Also, do not underestimate the power of doing ‘little’ things for others. It is often what we deem the ‘little things’ that make or break our days.

When the speaker is finished, they should have a clear idea of what they will be doing in the next week and how they will be assisted to accomplish it.  Then move on to the next person.  The creation practice is required of everyone, as no one is beyond setting goals and assisting others in fulfilling theirs. 

In addition to the concrete plans you make to attain your personal goals, allow yourselves some time to dream big together, and state openly what your vision is for a utopian society. What would life be like there? How would you spend your days in such a world? Allow your imaginations to run free, and get excited about what you see. Have fun, go nuts, or go bananas if you have a nut allergy. Maybe you will become more confident about the world you see becoming a reality as you envision it together!

Keep the flow going

Dissolving the Dream is a forum to practice flowing with others, so be conscious of when things feel stale.  If someone is working through a traumatic event or if everyone is genuinely interested in the creative process of one of the group members, go with it, but in general, don’t talk too long.  You might want to call someone’s name and ask them what they are experiencing if you sense that they seem distant or have something important to contribute.

Taking breaks

Make sure to break about once an hour, unless you are in the flow and feeling the power. If you’ve got it going on and are right in the groove, then shake it bake it just don’t fake it, let the energy move. (it helps if you actually rap those words)

Contact

Contact is perhaps the aspect of groupwork that could be regarded as the least conventional or even threatening, as people might see their comfort zones being encroached upon or their boundaries potentially invaded.  The group setting and the trust developed thus far helps to insure a safe space for physical contact, and the counsel given herein will also assist you in making contact not a reason for fear, but a means to heal.  The job that correlates most closely to contact is the bodyworker, most commonly associated with the massage therapist, but also reiki practitioners and other healers as well.

While catharsis is intended to bring awareness to the tension in our bodies and then remove the stuck energy through speech and being heard by others, contact is intended to exponentially accelerate the process.  It is strongly recommended that you wear a stone of protection, the most desirable being black tourmaline which helps protect against the accidental absorption of foul energy.  In addition to that, circulation of the air is important, so it helps to keep the air moving in the room you are occupying or the adjacent room. You can also use smoke in the form of light incense or use essential oils to purify the air.

To begin contact, you can turn the music up since there will be less talking.  Remember, there is nothing ‘serious’ or ‘stern’ about this work, so don’t feel obligated to remain silent.  You actually will need to communicate sometimes with one another, the receiver of contact offering the giver honest feedback whether they are getting too much or too little pressure, if something feels bad, to avoid an injury… Sometimes, simple hand signals on the part of the receiver are more effective than speech, if you choose to remain silent. Work these signals out prior to working on one another so everyone understands them. You may for example make a fist if you want more pressure, tap lightly to ease up, or tap forcefully to stop entirely.

There are several ways in which contact can be practiced in your group, with the intent that the practice will lead to a more natural and spontaneous form of touch in everyday life.  The technique you use is unimportant, however, your intention is. Simply ask yourself if you are keeping the mood light and if you would like to receive the kind of touch you are giving. Remember that the higher function of the group is to maximize your functionality in all areas of life, and that you are practicing in order to demonstrate a way of being.

Prior to contact, wash your hands thoroughly, and of course, do not show up unclean.  This is not a massage practice, so there is no need to disrobe or use any kinds of lotions and oils. We can work right through the clothing, as modesty is preferred. The ‘safe’ zones of the body to work on are the head and neck, shoulders to the fingertips, the back, and the knees down to the toes.

The first way to practice is to pair up in twos.  The receiver can either sit in a chair, or lie down if you have comfortable padding and the space provides for it.  Make sure everyone is comfortable.  A minute or two is typically enough, then the givers can switch to different receivers, and when every giver has worked on every receiver, givers and receivers can switch roles. As a receiver, you may wish to wear an eye mask if it helps you to relax.

The second way to practice is to have two people lie face down on blankets or padding, and then have three to five people work on each person.  Rather than spending prolonged periods on each person, it is best to do short treatments of three or fewer minutes and then switch people, as energy blockages can be removed in seconds.  If you are using this second method, be sure to be gentle and non-invasive as feedback is more difficult in this format.

A third alternative for contact is to play music and freely move about and contact one another spontaneously for the duration of a song or two.  Just don’t get too frisky.

If you have physical limitations which prevent you from participating in any of the above mentioned methods, be creative and find a way to get involved. Again, your intention and your willingness to participate are most important.

As previously stated, remember to keep the mood light.  It is better to ‘find a groove’ like you are dancing when you are giving healing touch, rather than focusing too much on what you are doing.  Set a clear intention to heal and be healed, and then let your hands do the work. The more you can make it like a dance, the less exhausted you will be and the more the receiver will get out of it. Don’t be too serious, after all, we need to get serious about not being too serious!

The duration for contact need not be much longer than 15 minutes total. Think quality over quantity, and get used to the idea that you can be helpful to others with just seconds of physical contact. Don’t entertain ideas of healing people or becoming a great healer. Just be light and free. You might want to consider playing a quick game prior to practicing contact to lighten the mood. An entire page on this website is dedicated to games because they are essential to our well-being and for facilitating the paradigm shift, so do not regard them as optional. Your participation should make you more natural and comfortable with contact out in the world, and games will help place you in the right frame of mind to do so.

Inclusion

Be sure to be proactive in including everyone in the group such that each person has an integral role.  Your results will be far worse if even one person feels left out.

Conclusion

After about two and a half to three hours, you should wrap things up.  Do a brief check-in with everyone to make sure noone has anything really heavy that needs some resolution prior to leaving.  You may need some time for this, so allow about ten minutes in case there is a need for it.  

Continuation

At the end of four weeks, discuss with others how you felt about the experience and if you would like to keep meeting together.  It might be best to take a break for a week or two, and is far better if you are able to share your experience with others and form new groups with different people.  Think about little ways you can support others after you are done with your groupwork to help one another along.  Lastly, if you feel a genuine sense of gratitude to the facilitator, consider offering them a gift of appreciation.

Synopsis

These are general suggestions for how to conduct your group. Arrive clean and on time for your groupwork.  Start with an icebreaker.  Week one should consist entirely of catharsis.  Week two should consist of catharsis, and at least an hour for creation.  Consider playing a game on the second week to transition from catharsis to creativity.  If you still have time at the end, practice contact for about ten or fifteen minutes.  Week three should consist of catharsis and creation as needed, and about fifteen minutes for contact.  Week four should be more of an organic mix of the three, plus games.  Always end groups by checking in with everyone.  The need for structure should be less as the group moves along, but catharsis should always be first. In case you are a major weirdo and need to hear this, refrain from orgies at all costs!  If you would like to learn more, peruse the dissolving the dream website for additional information, as Archangel Michael’s telephone line has been busy the last few years.  

Bring Honesty, Practice Catharsis, Result: Authenticity.

Bring Willingness, Practice Creation, Result: Energy.

Bring Gentleness, Practice Contact, Result: Lightness.