Wholeness can be viewed in terms of unity and diversity,
relationship and uniqueness, and context and
interiority. Each of these pairs of phenomena embody
ways that integration and differentiation manifest in living systems
to reflect and generate wholeness.
_ _ _
Unity includes anything that holds a whole together,
that makes it one thing. Unity contains and sustains systems.
In human groupings, it includes our common humanity, our deep
wellsprings of Spirit, and the things that brought us together
and guide us in our group. But unity can become a cocoon insulating
us in smug disconnection from the world. Or we can force it. Better
that we try to remain mindful of (and celebrate) what we do share
and keep alert for other common ground we might need to sustain
our co-intelligence.
Diversity provides options, resources and stimulation;
it generates vitality and evolution. Diverse strengths can compensate
for diverse weaknesses. To get the most from diversity, we need
to acknowledge how different each of us already is, become more
tolerant of and skilled in handling problematic diversity, and
nurture any diversity that will facilitate our co-intelligence
-- such as people who can contribute divergent perspectives to
enrich a shared inquiry.
We usually gather together around our common interests and qualities
but soon find out how really different we are. At that point we
need to use what unites us not to suppress our differences, but
to help them interact generatively. We may need to develop more
mature forms of unity in the process.
_ _ _
Relationship connects people and things, events
and possibilities, ideas and images, linking or weaving them together.
Relationship generates energy and even (according to quantum mechanics
and Buddhism) reality, itself. Relationships can be nurtured or
degraded. They can also nurture or degrade those who are in the
relationship. Some relationships are naturally resonant or synergistic,
but all relationships can be improved by conscious attention --
and even designed for synergy (e.g., permaculture).
(For a great exploration of interconnectedness, see http://www.cope.co.za/Intercon/Inter1.htm
)
Uniqueness means that everyone, everything, every
moment has qualities possessed by no other person, thing or moment.
That means everyone, everything and every moment is intensely
and infinitely itself, to the point of being miraculous. Co-intelligence
works best when "specialness" is grounded in uniqueness,
rather than superiority. Uniqueness is hidden by categories, especially
stereotypes. It is recovered by paying attention to who and what
is right here, right now. Uniqueness offers us a vast pool of
resources, limited only by our imaginations.
Co-intelligence is enhanced by improving the relationships among
unique entities -- and by recognizing and enhancing the uniqueness
of any entities in a relationship.
The power of relationship is synergy: the whole -- the
parts in relationship -- is greater than the sum of those parts.
We can create free resources simply by arranging things so they
complement or stimulate each other.
The power of uniqueness is holergy: the part is greater
than its role in the whole. Like synergy, holergy can provide
free resources. Since each part is a unique whole in its own right,
with special qualities, capabilities or connections, we can tap
into and utilize those if we can see beyond the pre-ordained roles
and categories that tend to hide such rich complexity.
_ _ _
Context is what's around us (or around whatever
we're attending to) -- the conditions, forces, structures and
mindsets that contain what's going on, that shape it and give
it meaning. Ultimately, context contains everything that's part
of what is often called The Big Picture, and thus is essential
to wholeness. We gain breadth of understanding by expanding
our sense of context. A particular context can influence events
(for better or worse), even in the absence of linear causation.
For example, my life is different simply because I have a daughter;
even when she is not physically present, she is vividly a part
of my context. Consciously creating a more generative context
is a good co-intelligent approach to causation. Furthermore, an
objective situation can be changed, as a context, simply by reframing
what it means. An illness can go from being a problem to being
an opportunity. People who know how to find opportunities everywhere
can surf the waves of context.
Interiority is what's inside us (or inside whatever
we're attending to) -- the generative center out of which awareness,
resourcefulness, motivation and many other phenomena arise. We
gain depth of understanding by delving deeper into the
insides of things (including ourselves). People who know how to
call forth motivation and creativity in themselves and others
are tapping into the energy of interiority.
The relationship between interiority and context governs emergence.
When we are centered in ourselves and aware of our surroundings;
and when our context is designed to bring out the deepest part
of us; then new and powerful things can surface. On the other
hand, when our context keeps our deepest selves (and the hidden
parts of situations) suppressed or denied, nothing truly new or
creative can emerge.
(See also Wholeness - Explict and
Implicit and Four Dynamics
of Wholeness)