Reflections on Our Inner Journeys and Outward Relationships

Have you ever hoped that your life would follow a Straight Path, with a defined Start and Finish, moving forward with no interruptions or distractions from your goals?  Or have you ever found yourself competing for limited resources or proving your worth over another?

As a runner, I learned to listen for and anticipate the starting gun, the ability to jump ahead and gain advantage over my competitors.  I wonder if this is any different than the Cause-Effect or Single-Loop Learning that is so ingrained in how we respond to various situations: start, race toward action (reaction), and finish at the planned or expected ending point?

Straight: Start - End

Life is filled with cycles, though - whether we experience those through Nature, seasons, or relearning what we thought we understood from earlier stages in our lives.

By taking the two ends of a straight line, we form a Circle - a line with no ends.  This opens us to the possibility of re-visiting and re-discovering.

But a circle also has an inside and an outside, an inner and an outer edge.  As I move inward, to notice how I am responding to a situation, I may not always be aware of what is occurring outside my inner circle.  In some ways, the circle may trap me into an Either-Or thinking style, cycling through past thoughts and earlier solutions, and not seeing other possibilities.

Circle (connect the ends): Inner or Outer

If the ends of the straight line are twisted before joining, a new shape emerges:  the Möbius Strip.  Following along the inner edge eventually leads to the outer edge and then returns to the inner.  Like the circle, there is continuity, but with the Möbius Strip, we move towards integration.

Noticing what is happening within, combined with engaging the outer world, allows us to flow from one side to the other.  The challenge for us is to hold onto one integrated reality: the inner journey informs the outer relationships with others and the outer journey informs the inner relationship with self, essentially drawing us into Both-And thinking and solutions.  

As an introvert, I have found that I need to share my inner thoughts and feelings with others in order for us to journey together.  As I open up, unexpected and exciting results occur!

Möbius Strip (add a twist, connect): Inner and Outer

Dialogue may take place when one or more people open up and share the possibilities and potentials of each person.  Noticing how we experience our world in relationship with others and accepting what they observe, draws us into curiosity about and compassion for others.  

At our recent Community of Practice meeting, Anita noted that adding a second twist to the straight line before connecting the endpoints creates a Heart. 

I wonder if the first twist is the Integration of the inner and outer journeys, drawing us into deeper understanding, and the second twist is the Compassion we begin to experience for self and other?

Heart (adding a second twist): Inner and Outer, with Compassion

Thus, Straight-Line thinking of Start-End and Either-Or can be transformed into an infinite journey of Both-And newness, discovery, and heart-felt wonder when we allow our lives to be gently twisted and reshaped by one another.
 

Infinite Inner and Outer Journey (Möbius Revisited)

 Questions for this week:

• Do you experience the world as competitive and heartless?
• How do you primarily focus your time or energy - inward or outward?
• Where can you add a slight "twist" in your encounter with others:
• To listen more?
• To ask more questions?
• To share your thoughts and feelings?

May you encounter gentle and compassionate twists this week!

Larry Gardepie