Monday, May 4, 2015
Saturday, February 23, 2013
A Brief History of Everything
- Shambhala; 2 edition (February 6, 2001)
In
this book, Wilber attempts to develop a unified theory of existence.
The author makes several distinctions that are helpful in reframing
our everyday experience. The book, although ‘thick’, is
presented in an engaging dialogue in which Wilber practices inquiry
with himself, revealing his inner assumptions and logic. This book,
in my opinion, has some brilliant gems and a lot of dross. A good
editor could really have helped. Nonetheless, I have been able to use
some these gems with clients to help them understand their own
experience and beliefs. Two gems that were meaningful to me were the
theory of holons and the review and expansion upon the stages of
development.
The theory of holons, originally introduced by Arthur Koestler, states that every thing is a whole and is part of something else. For example, in a team setting, individuals would be considered wholes but also parts of the team. The team is a whole that is part of the organization, a whole that is part of an industry, etc. I point out to my clients that all their actions as individual wholes have effects on the team and the behavior of the team is inextricably linked to the organization. Therefore, awareness of their own behavior choices is crucial to team success. This distinction allows entry into the realm of personal mastery and allows me as a coach to establish the platform from which to launch a coaching conversation beyond task.
The theory of holons, originally introduced by Arthur Koestler, states that every thing is a whole and is part of something else. For example, in a team setting, individuals would be considered wholes but also parts of the team. The team is a whole that is part of the organization, a whole that is part of an industry, etc. I point out to my clients that all their actions as individual wholes have effects on the team and the behavior of the team is inextricably linked to the organization. Therefore, awareness of their own behavior choices is crucial to team success. This distinction allows entry into the realm of personal mastery and allows me as a coach to establish the platform from which to launch a coaching conversation beyond task.
The
theory of holons also posits that there are four characteristics of
holons: The drive for agency (recognition of the individual), the
drive for communion (synergy into the group), the drive to transcend
(creative synergy) the current form, and the drive to dissolve
(breakup because of issues involving autonomy or communion) into
composite wholes. This basic understanding allows me to have a
philosophy of team that supports team dynamics research and practice.
Another gem, “ evolution
of consciousness,” reminded me of the understandings I already have
of the stages of development in human beings based on Kolberg,
Maslow, Gilliam, Erikson, and others. His excellent distinction was
the nesting of the stages in holons. This marriage of holon theory
with stages of development allows one to consider the four
characteristics of holons (agency, communion, transcendence and
dissolution) to growth patterns of developing consciences in myself
and my clients.
I have come to appreciate that I need to meet the client at the stage of development they currently inhabit and work with them toward creative emergence of the next stage. With this in mind, for example, I can avoid using formal operations logic when individuals are operating at the concrete stage. This understanding is sending me back to my instructional theory books for method that include the types of questions that will stimulate growth for individuals at different stages of development.
Wilber also offers the distinction of a three-step process for moving from one level to another: (1) The self is aware of the new level of consciousness and identifies with it or fuses, (2) the self differentiates itself, or transcends; (3) it identifies with the new level and centers itself there. Each change in stage of development creates a new worldview and moral and ethical stance. Taking this further, my experience is that these transitions can also create emotional upheavals and life changes that need support from the coach as they are happening.
I have come to appreciate that I need to meet the client at the stage of development they currently inhabit and work with them toward creative emergence of the next stage. With this in mind, for example, I can avoid using formal operations logic when individuals are operating at the concrete stage. This understanding is sending me back to my instructional theory books for method that include the types of questions that will stimulate growth for individuals at different stages of development.
Wilber also offers the distinction of a three-step process for moving from one level to another: (1) The self is aware of the new level of consciousness and identifies with it or fuses, (2) the self differentiates itself, or transcends; (3) it identifies with the new level and centers itself there. Each change in stage of development creates a new worldview and moral and ethical stance. Taking this further, my experience is that these transitions can also create emotional upheavals and life changes that need support from the coach as they are happening.
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