Our approach

The challenge

The ecological and social indicators of our time are flashing red. Inequality is deepening. Trust between actors is fraying. Our current global trajectory is dangerously off course, and the inadequacy of our extractive systems and mindsets has become evident.

Despite heroic efforts to shift this unsustainable trajectory, we remain stuck in a pattern of incrementalism. Even those pushing for change often end up operating within the same mental models prioritising efficiency and growth, without calling into question the system’s underlying foundations.

We believe this is caused by three underlying, internal crises...

a crisis of separation

from ourselves, each other, and the living world.

a crisis of imagination

where the horizons of possibility feel limited by the systems that created our predicament.

a crisis of courage

whereby fear is the dominant force holding us back from the type of leadership required.

Ostara’s approach grows from the recognition that transforming systems requires addressing these inner crises, which starts with transforming how we come together. By slowing down, and reconnecting to the web of life — of which we are an integral part — we can re-imagine a different future, build communities of trust, and spark bold collective action.

"It's easier to imagine the end of the world, than it is to imagine the end of capitalism."

Philosophers Fredric Jameson and Slavoj Žižek

How we think about systems change

Source: Adapted from the Berkana Two Loops Model

Ostara is inspired by the Berkana Institute ‘Two Loops’ model: a living systems model that shows how a dominant system persists despite mounting societal and ecological pressures, while new patterns of practice and relationship slowly emerge alongside it.

The model confronts change-makers with tough questions: is our work truly transformative, or is it reinforcing the underlying logic of a dominant system? What needs to be hospiced to allow new life to flourish? How can we accelerate and grow the emergent?

We act as a bridge between the current dominant paradigm and an emerging paradigm that is in service of life.

Our imaginal spaces

We craft journeys where groups of change-makers are able to…

Reconnect and remember

Engage in experiences that elicit a deep sense of reconnection with oneself, each other and the living world, opening up new perspectives and a deep remembering of our place and role as part of a complex living system, along with a felt sense of the sacred dimension of the Earth.

Reimagine

From that place of deep connection, open up our collective imagination and creativity to envision alternate futures — including building on the potential of the radically different ways of organising and relating to nature, finance, production, food and land, which are already emerging across geographies, communities and organisations.

Spark collective action

Feel supported by a community of change-makers who can anchor and nurture the emergent possibilities that have been collectively reimagined and engage in bold and sustained collective action in service of life.

Why 'Imaginal' spaces?

Our spaces are named in reference to “imaginal cells” — clusters of cells in the body of a caterpillar that hold the blueprint for transformation. The imaginal cells activate during metamorphosis within the chrysalis to give rise to the butterfly.

Our imaginal spaces are similarly designed to activate new blueprints and spark individual, collective and systems transformation.

The methodology of our imaginal spaces

Our experimental approach combines well established and emerging methods to create bold new spaces to imagine beyond the boundaries of our current systems.

Systems thinking

Approaches to solve complex problems that involve pattern thinking, imagination and sensing.

Emergence and group genius

Processes that foster group cohesion, “flow”, and breakthrough creativity.

Innovation and design thinking

Creative problem solving through research, ideation and rapid prototyping.

Inner development

Practices such as mindfulness and meditation that support the development of key qualities and skills to drive change.

Collective imagination

Ways of knowing and being to envision, dream into and enact different possible futures.

Kincentric leadership

Practices that acknowledge our inter-being and capacity to co-create with nature.

"Our heartfelt thanks for your thoughtful design, skilful facilitation, and dedication to holding space for bold, collective dreaming. I left feeling both grounded and energised for the journey ahead."

An Wang, Founder at SeedFuture

Five People Sit In A Small Circle In A Grassy Landscape, Gathered Around Some Papers.

What does this look like in practice?

We bring together diverse actors — business leaders, policymakers, scientists, Indigenous voices, and youth representatives — to address entrenched issues, uncover and incubate transformative solutions. We create spaces for collective imagination and sense-making, sparking bold new ideas for change.

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