I gave a talk about seeing “dynamic connectedness.” I spoke of seeing self as a verb rather than a noun, and I gave three examples of temporary, dynamic states. In the first people struggle, in the second they survive, and in the third they thrive. Each state is temporary.
In that talk I said, “Please consider three temporary states. There is the temporary state in which expectations have been disrupted and we experience anger, and fear. In this state we feel negative emotions and we spiral downward into increasing darkness and depression. The second temporary state is of normal functioning, in which our expectations are being met, and we are in equilibrium. Finally, there is a temporary state of confidence, aspiration, love, and learning. Here our consciousness expands, and expectations are exceeded.”
I went on to describe how some people enter the descending state, recognize it, and are able to quickly take themselves to the state of optimum functioning. They do not stay in optimum functioning, they get disrupted and start to spiral downward. This is because the world is dynamic, and everyone is in process. The challenge is to see the dynamic whole and self-regulate, to choose to operate in optimum functioning.
Shortly after this talk, I received a message from a friend. He thanked me and indicated the following. “I especially liked the way you identified the cyclical nature of depression and growth. I have studied econometrics and most of my education was devoted on using statistical and mathematical computations to strip the cyclicality from deterministic trends if there were any.”
I loved this statement. Economics is simply logical analysis taken to the extreme. It is an extension of the logic we all use every day. Economics is powerful and invaluable. Yet both normal and extreme logic tends to operate from a fixed and linear perspective, rather than a dynamic and recursive perspective. The logical mind tends to analyze what is and is slower to see what could be. In the third state we flourish because consciousness expands. This alters perspective anchored in the past. New vision energizes the logical mind, and it takes us to new places. To flourish we must continually expand consciousness.
Reflection
- Do you see yourself as a noun or as a verb? What do negative feelings do to your view of self and others? What happens when you see and treat others as nouns?
- What does it mean to see the dynamic whole?
- When you are in the temporary, downward cycle, what tools can you employ to consciously self-regulate, and put yourself into the temporary state of optimum functioning. Why do many believe it impossible? Why will you not stay in optimum functioning?
- How can we use this passage to create a more positive organization?