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:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu]On Behalf Of Harrison Owen Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2001 10:09 AM To: osl...@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> osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html