| Guiding Principles
All aspects of Dancing Waters Consulting are inspired and guided by the following principles.
1. Use traditional Cherokee teachings in order to create balance and harmony in relationships.
The traditional ways of “right relationship” offer guidance to help individuals and groups to be together in ways that give opportunity to create harmony, peace, and creativity in life.
Peace
"It does not mean to be in a place where there is not noise, trouble or hard work.
It means to be in the midst of those things and still:
Be calm in your heart. "
• Unknown
2. Make a commitment to deep levels of learning to develop sustainability.
Effective high-quality professional development is best served when delivered over time, not through one-shot “dog-and-pony shows.” The most effective models of sustainable learning and systems change are through learning new information or methods, practicing those, and then reflecting on what was learned through their use. [Use principals of high-quality professional development.]
3. Accept the Beauty of each person.
Each person has a spirit or energy which is given to them upon their birth. Sometimes people feel that they have to leave essential parts of who they are behind when they come to work. By allowing people to bring their talents, skills, and joys to what they do every day, it fosters a richness that allows people to commit to “their” work at a much deeper level. Acceptance is a powerful gift.
"Let the beauty we love be what we do."
-Rumi"
4. Use “Inquiry” as a process for greater understanding.
Inquiry creates the capacity to listen for understanding. The “questions” are more
important than the answers because every new answer eventually presents new
challenges. When we feel confused, we switch from asking in order to understand to saying as if we know with certainty. When pressured, we move from inquiry to advocating our own opinions.. When challenged, we retreat from wondering to knowing, from the openness to hear others to defend our own views. At that point we no longer listen and can not communicate.
5. Use “dialogue” as a critical skill in developing a practice of “Deep Listening.” It is the most important skill individuals, groups, and organizations need to practice in developing a sense of community.
It is possible to gain skills that enable groups to emerge from a conversation refreshed and hopeful. A culture of skillful conversation can create an environment bounded by wonder, curiosity, and surprise about the human capacity for creativity. Expect that this listening can provide for renewal, refreshment, and helpful perspectives regarding the work at hand. The work is not about “more to do” but rather more effortless and effective ways to do “that which we must do.”
"Listening creates the possibility of relationship."
• Asgaya Tawodi Digadoli
6. Use play as an important support to the Spirit.
Children, the most spiritual beings on earth, always play (and work) in the moment. We as adults sometimes lose that quality. How do we create that attitude of being “in the moment” that is full of wonder, curiosity, focus, and joy?
…may what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back, the way it is with children.
• Rainer Maria Rilke
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