Self-Organization is What Consciousness (Spirit) Does

[Jim Metcalf]

I recall that in the "Venus" book of his space trilogy, C. S. Lewis wrote
about individuals finding enhanced individuality in their divine unity with
one another, much as Harrison wrote:

On the one hand there is a profound realization of community (the appearance
of a larger self) and simultaneously folks report that they feel a
heightened sense of personal empowerment, but always in the context of that
community. They go with the flow and get with the program -- willingly, and
with a remarkable sense of joy. And it is all self-organization. Maybe?

Jim Metcalf

-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Harrison
Owen
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2001 10:09 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Self-Organization is What Consciousness (Spirit) Does

Further to our ongoing conversation about self-organizing systems -- a
possibly weird thought. Self-Organization is what Consciousness (Spirit)
does. Rather than being in opposition (as in either/or), or even in
juxtaposition (as in both/and) there is unity. Self-Organization and the
work of Spirit are one. The problem comes when the "self" in
self-organization is understood to mean my self. Then it seems that I am
imprisoned by unseen powers that restrict (destroy) my freedom. And I don't
like that. However as the evolution of consciousness proceeds (My Spirit
grows up, my Now gets bigger),  it is realized the my self is inextricably
related to all selves -- and ultimately to The Self, -- and there is no
problem. This is not the destruction of ego (self), but the transcendence.
And what else would The Self do -- but organize. How about those bananas?

A little esoteric and abstract to be sure, but it may just accord with one
of the often reported experiences in Open Space. On the one hand there is a
profound realization of community (the appearance of a larger self) and
simultaneously folks report that they feel a heightened sense of personal
empowerment, but always in the context of that community. They go with the
flow and get with the program -- willingly, and with a remarkable sense of
joy. And it is all self-organization. Maybe?

Harrison


Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, MD 20854 USA
phone 301-365-2093
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com <http://www.openspaceworld.com/>
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org <http://www.openspaceworld.org/>
Personal website www.mindspring.com/~owenhh
<http://www.mindspring.com/~owenhh>

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