The Flow Game is a board game that invites players into a hosted process of collective meaning-making. The architecture of the game draws on wisdom practices from traditions across the globe, all merged into a beautiful invitation to sit together around questions that matter.
There are different kinds of games, all of which come with their own nuances. You can play online or onsite, in groups of 2 up to 2000 people. We play with groups of selected individuals, with teams and organizations to support their strategic processes, with individuals in coaching set-ups, with couples and families. There is no boundary to the creative use of the game! The decks are available in several languages.
Typically, a Flow Game is played for three to four hours, but it can also span across multiple days. Sometimes we play shorter games as part of a longer event, like a conference or team building.
Elements of the Game
A game is usually played in several rounds, exploring a central question that has been either brought forward by an individual player (personal game) or a group (team game). Elements you can find in every game:
- The question: Your question is your intention to play – something that makes you tremble, a true quest that isn’t solved with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. A good question takes ownership of your journey and is simple enough to hold the context. We consider the question as the first of the 7 directions.
- The 7 directions: The 7 directions are the organising architecture of the game. Questions and cards connect to the wisdom of each direction, inviting reflections, perspectives, and possibilities. The directions help us move around a question rather than rushing toward an answer.
- The dice: The dice invokes serendipity. By rolling the dice, the player invites one of the directions to come forth to offer guidance.
- The wisdom council: Built around traditional council and circle practice, the wisdom council taps into the wisdom of everyone present to help the player in addressing their question. The wisdom council offers perspective or resonance, not advice or judgment
- The boats: To track our progress, we use little boats that float along the rivers on the game board. The boats also add a fractal element to the game.
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North: Leadership
Innovation – courage to find new paths, to move ahead when called for.
South: Community
Create good relations, be in rhythm with others, synchronicity.
West: Action
Being practical, getting things done in a good way for you and the greater whole.
East: Vision
Perspective – the long view, to clarify your passion, your energy.
Earth
Grounded, rooted in nature. “Grandmother” earth. Sometimes known as the jester of life.
Heaven
What is above and beyond us, the divine touch. “Grandfather” sky.
Flow of the Game
After speaking the question aloud, the player is invited to roll a dice and invite one of the directions. Those are represented through cards, each carrying another question through which the player reflects on their initial question. To invite collective insight, the player can then call upon the Wisdom Council to share their stories, observations, and gifts. A move of the boat concludes the round, before the game moves on to the next player.
Powerful Questions
A powerful question is a doorway into a new perspective. It stimulates you. It tickles you. It might even make you tremble. But if you have the courage to stay in the fire with it, that could change everything! Are you ready for that?
The Flow Game is simple. It’s easy to play. And that’s also why it is so powerful for the players. A potent question can be not only a game-changer, it can be a life-changer! That’s why it’s important to be clear about the question you are asking – it really does make a difference.
So before moving forward, think about it… What matters to you right now? What really matters? That’s where your question can be found! To learn more, contact a host in your area and see when the next Flow Game (opens in a new tab)is being offered. You could also invite them to host a game for you or your team.