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Models, Supermodels, and Understanding
(click for podcast)
How Can I See What You See, and Feel What You Feel?
No, this isn’t the swimsuit edition of the Integram ^TM, just a deeper look at the Integram ^TM as both a model and a system. We use models for all sorts of things. They illustrate how something might look in the physical world, offer some  predictability, and in short just help us understand things better. There are many kinds of models in the world, from meteorological models to fluid dynamics models to models of the solar system using Styrofoam balls and popsicle sticks. Each of these help us to visualize moving parts in physical relation to one another, which helps us predict where these parts might be at any given time.

This is why I began working on a model of human consciousness as a teenager, culminating in its unveiling at the Integral Theory in Action Conference in 2008. I wanted to create a model that would show how our consciousness evolved and developed in a way that we could use to understand ourselves and each other better. It ended up taking decades, which I hadn’t predicted, but it was worth it. As a three-dimensional model, it takes into account both what you might call Translational perspective and Transformational perspective.

For brevity, we’re just going to look at the Translational aspect for now. This is the simple construct of connecting our perceptions to our perspectives. A common example of this is looking from both sides of the street at a driver swerving down the road. From one perspective, our perception is that he’s driving like a maniac. From the other side of the street, we perceive him swerving to avoid a puppy who darted into the street. Our perception of the driver was completely controlled by our perspective.

The fact that this happens a thousand times a day to all of us, and we’re not taking into account all the other perspectives that would alter our perceptions, puts us in a position of asserting each of these views as a singular reality. Then we get into asserting and defending our realities, and the game is afoot. Now we’re stuck in a battle of “who’s right.” This prevents us from seeing each others’ perspectives, and potentially learning more from the added data. Enter the use of a model.

A Circle by the Beach

I’ve often described the basis of this model as a group of us sitting around a circle by the beach. Depending on where you’re sitting, you’ll either see only sand, only ocean, or a bit of both. If you don’t see ocean, the model illustrates how from that perspective, the perception is that there's no ocean. Obviously, no singular perspective represents a global reality.

 

The next aspect of perspectives and perceptions that we can illustrate, is our mobility. We’re not nailed into our seats, and can actually get up, and go sit in another part of the circle. This means we’ve changed our perspective, which will undoubtedly change our perception. In fact, you and I could trade places, and see each others’ perspective, thus understand each others’ perception as well. This is the magic of this circular model.

Going further, to be functional and predictive, we need to “assign” a series of perceptions and attributes to each of these positions around the circle. This way, when we sit in a given position, we know that we’re taking on a specific perspective that will offer specific perceptions, thus interpretations, language choice, experiences, and sometimes even behaviors. These lenses of perception that we can look through highlight the functionality of the model.

The Theory of Holes

Finally, let’s look at the origin of each lens of perception, so we can understand why they sit where they sit. The Theory of Holes borrows from chaos theory and physics. Systems “self organize” around a singularity; often called a strange attractor. Dust and planets self organize around a gravity well. In a stream, water self organizes around a rock. Systems in an office self organize around an individual who’s extremely disruptive (or capable.)

Our personalities and characteristics self organize around our perceptions of what is a “hole” in our Being. This is usually attached to our feelings of separateness. In other words, if we feel we're separate and alone because of “x,” then “x” will become the organizing force in our personality.

As this formation usually takes place between 0 and 3 years of age, we’re not always aware of what’s happening, and just go about our lives assuming this perception and compensating response is “reality.” It’s a rare individual who connects the dots and will consciously say, “I believe I’m separate and alone because I wasn’t strong enough early on, so I will be the toughest person I can be going forward.”

However, that understanding brings an incredible level of liberation. When we know what our own perceived “hole” is about, we can see how we’ve organized our lives around it, and can make new intentional choices going forward, that are free of that old programming. This doesn’t mean tossing the skills and abilities we’ve honed from childhood. It does mean that we can shift the nature of our lives from being run by these characteristics, to where we can choose to use them as resources.

Want to learn more about how to become the best you possible?  Come visit the web site, or better yet, contact me and see how we can design a program to fit your needs and desired outcomes.

     - Ian J. Blei


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