Worldwork Glossary

Definitions of Worldwork Terms listed in black and terms related to Worldwork, listed in grey.

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Deep Democracy

Is a respect and love for nature in the deepest sense. This means that in our inner work, relationship work and group work we recognize the importance of representing the disavowed parts (double signals) in order to make the situation whole. We support the parts of ourselves and our groups, which we know well but also the parts which we do not know and which we fear or reject. A deeply democratic attitude also supports the three levels of reality: Consensus Reality, Dreamland and Essence.

Is a philosophy and the elder’s meta-skill (feeling attitude) towards life which recognizes the basically equal importance of: consensus reality issues and concerns (facts, issues, problems, people) dreamland figures (roles, ghosts), and the essence (common ground) that connects everyone.

Double Signals

A double signal means that someone is conveying one message that they are identifying with or intending in a given moment, while simultaneously expressing something else with their words or body that is further away from their awareness. For example, I might say verbally that I want to relate to you. That is my intention. However, at the same time I look down and do not look at you. This is a double signal. It can be very helpful to focus on double signals, to give the person time to investigate what that signal is expressing and to bring that information into the conversation.

Dreamland

For individuals, ‘dreamland’ refers to the level of reality represented in our dreams, and subjective experiences of our body, and often manifests in polarities. In groups and communities, ‘dreamland’ refers to the level of subjective feeling experiences and roles and polarities underlying our interactions.

Disability

There are two contrasting uses of the term the more mainstream, based on a medical model, regards disability as a significant impairment judged in relation to a perceived standard of normality. The term refers to individual functioning, including physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, intellectual impairment or mental health issues. By contrast, a human right or social model focuses on the interaction between a person and their environment, highlighting the role of a society in labeling, causing or maintaining disability within that society, including through attitudes or accessibility favoring the majority. For example, public and private places and services, education, and social work are often designed in a way that excludes those with differing abilities.

This information has been prepared by staff and is from various sources, including previous Worldwork handouts and the website of A & A Mindell.