Seeing Ourselves Differently
I've written before about 'the paradigm' within which we grew up, and which informs our view of the world; how we view ourselves, how we view others, how we view organisations, and how we view our agency to effect change, for example.
And I write about this in the context of our troubled world.
Also - how we view the work we do, and the impact we are having, as coaches or consultants - or any work really (or any of our endeavours if we're not in the work context).
I am forever on a search for how to describe what is meant by this 'paradigm shift'!
To help us all understand it.
(Incidentally, as children we understood it. Peter Senge believes we were totally in tune with this way of being in the world until our culture 'beat it out of us' - usually by the time we were 7 or 8.)
When, as adults, we 'see the world through different eyes' - so much changes.
I've described it before as a shift from mechanistic, rational, analytical, cause-and-effect thinking. To - interconnected, wholistic, intuitive, emotional. This could be seen as Left Hemisphere and Right Hemisphere. And of course, it's not either/or thinking, it's both. But, as Iain McGilchrist points out, we've privileged the Left Hemisphere for centuries, we've let the rational, mechanistic Left Hemisphere be 'Master', it's time to right this, and revert to the Right Hemisphere being the Master again, with the Left helping.
This works for some people; it gives a really good sense of 'the shift'.
But I've been playing with other descriptions, and images. Also, picking up on poetry which gives hints of how we could view our world differently.
Here are some images I've created, to help us 'see' differently.
This first one seems to be resonating with a lot of coaches and clients. I do think it's rather special.
So - Indira's Net - from Buddhism - talks about how, as individuals, we are at the intersection points on a vast net.
So if you zoom in on one diamond in this image, you could see it as 'you'. Then imagine that your reflections (from you 'as diamond') are bouncing off lots of other diamonds, which then reflect the light again, off other diamonds near to them in the network.
You are ALSO receiving the light reflections from other diamonds, which fuels the reflections you give out.
With this 'configuring of reality' - it is impossible to be individualistic.
And when we realise 'we're not on our own', and 'it's not all on me' - we then realise the interconnected agency we have. So every small action I take, every kind word I utter, each time I show vulnerability - it makes a difference. It reverberates. It 'pings off' - ad infinitum.
Here is another version of how we're part of this web of life:
Doesn't it blow your mind to know that you are a part of this 'web of life'?!
You matter.
How you think matters.
How you feel matters.
The words you say to another, matter.
Even when you don't know 'the answer', or perhaps even the first step to take, THAT matters - that you want to know. That you are seeing something that needs our attention.
That IS the first step.
And it makes a difference.
Remember - the world is not machine-like, linear step after linear step, where we 'should' know 'the plan' and then marshal people to implement that plan.
And now here's two images I created to illustrate Left and Right Hemisphere:
Left Hemisphere.
And below - Right Hemisphere:
Both are needed, but let's heed Iain McGilchrist's words; let's privilege the Right Hemisphere in our worldview. Let's see how often we can take that perspective.
Perhaps close your eyes, bring this image (above) to mind, and see what arises.
What if this were the image you sat with, whilst you were tousling with a problem or emotional pain?
For me, it immediately takes me away from my 'rational mind', which is often very busy, and dominant. The rational mind is always trying to solve our problems. With good intent. Absolutely. And we shouldn't be annoyed with it, or want to dismiss it. It's doing its best. But it's not its job - to solve problems which aren't mechanistic and rational.
We can give it the day off.
We can encourage it to have a duvet day.
And meantime, we tap into our less familiar Right Hemisphere.
Through whatever means that works for us.
For me, mindfulness meditation often helps.
Also, being out in Nature, thinking of nothing in particular, but just being alert and observant to 'what is out there' and 'how that feels on the inside'.
It also comes to me in Alpha Wave state - such as when I just wake up in the morning, or via dreams.
Sometimes my Alpha Waves are active when doing a routine activity, which I don't need to concentrate on, but which provides enough energy and momentum and space somehow, for my intuition to break through. For me, this is when driving, or when in the shower. And when walking outdoors.
The Arts are also a portal into the Right Hemisphere.
I love how artists work, how they conceive of ideas and translate ideas and emotions into something tangible, that the rest of us can observe and be touched by.
And by artists I mean - visual artists, musicians, writers, singers, actors, performers, poets, sculptors, illustrators.....
To finish today, I would love to leave you with a poem that was read to me (us) on a recent 5-day retreat.
Perhaps you can prepare yourself to receive this poem by looking again at the Right Hemisphere images/artwork given about - Indira's Net, The Web of Life and Right Hemisphere.
Perhaps dwell on each image for 10 seconds.
Enjoy.
Be aware of what is stirred within you.
Whatever is stirred in you might be quite unusual, or very familiar. Both are perfect!
Then let these words join in:
With huge thanks to Rachel Holstead, and her beautiful, evocative poems, which she offers freely on her website: https://www.rachelholstead.net/these-are-not-my-words/index.html.
And finally, I take the wonderful Nora Bateson's advice. Nora Bateson is one of the world's foremost experts on Living Systems. She was brought up, as she says, in a household where Living Systems was 'just the way we saw the world' (due in no small part by being the daughter of Gregory Bateson). She gives such evocative, interesting, thought-provoking examples (usually relatable, but sometimes I find myself playing her words over and over to fully understand - such is the work of 'paradigm shift'!).
So back to Nora Bateson's advice: 'practice this every day'.
I.e. practice seeing the world in this different, Right Hemisphere way, every day.
It's a big shift.
I find it 'get it' in pockets, then it's gone again! Then I get it again, and remember, and then it's .....gone again!
Enjoy!
'Til Next Time, Go Well
And a reminder of my new Professional Practice Group:
If you haven't already spoken with me, the deadline has just passed, but hey, what's an extra few days?!
I was inspired to create this group for several reasons:
The work we do has the potential to make a real difference in this world of ours. How do we ‘stay the course’, ensure we’re doing our ‘heart’s work’, the work we were meant to do? And avoid being drawn into distractions, or work that doesn’t really make our heart sing?
It can be hard running your own business. You set up your business because of your passion for the work you do. Sometimes it’s just lovely to have others who understand, who you can talk to, who ‘have your back’.
It can be a little lonely being in a senior position in an organisation. To be able to speak to fellow senior professionals from other walks of life - to share, be heard, make sense - within a confidential space - can be hugely beneficial.
This Group is for Professionals in any field. So far, we have Executive Coaches, and Directors of HR, Talent and Operations.
When:
🌏 Starting 18th October 2024 and running monthly. 0930-1100. Online, on Zoom. (We are now flexing with people who can't make the first date, to enable them to join in at a later stage.)
Cost:
🌍 The fee will be commensurate with ability to pay. (A rough range is £70-£200.)
Next Step?
🌏 Let’s set up a 30 min exploratory conversation without further ado! Contact me at: wendy@wendyrobinson.org.