Processes – praxis models in SelfDesigning
a) SelfDesign LifeSpiral (0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89,144 . . . )
The LifeSpiral emphasizes that life is a “womb to tomb” journey in learning and transformation. The mathematics of the logarithmic spiral are used in this model, as they show the pattern of progressive growth through time in plants and animals. Each stage of our lives as they unfold is marked out in a quadrant on the LifeSpiral, and the edge of these quadrants denotes a shift to a new phase in life with distinct physiological and neurological maturation as well as roles and identities. The chronological development of the individual through time is illustrated, emphasizing that at each moment on the spiral is an eternity of now.
b) SelfDesign OntoCentricity
This model of ontocentric living is an invitation to live and experience life from the center of our beings. In contrast to the objective and scientific model of the universe, this view brings ‘onto’ (being) and ‘centric’ (center) together to represent the world from the experiential, loving, and peaceful centres of our being. At our core, we are no-thing and this is where our Self – our essential humanity – lives. This core of our being is where we come together and meet, and everything that happens outside of this is at varying distances from the place of zero, or experiential center. Using this model to understand and practice living in presence is often a helpful tool towards living in enlightenment.
c) SelfDesign’s Four Aspects and Four Transitions
From the still place at the center of our being, the epistemology of human living seems to take on four aspects of our nature – namely our body, our heart, our mind and our spirit. These four quadrants are foundational to other dimensional models and living praxis.
These four quadrants, like aspects of the medicine wheel used by native traditions, are the basis of the Four Transitions model which shows all stages of the biologically and neurologically maturation in our life journey, from infancy through to elderhood. Entering the fourth stage of human development is foundational to the practice of SelfDesign as a parent or educator in the aid of children and young adults.
d) SelfDesign NeuralRose
SelfDesign’s NeuralRose model is intended to aid in our appreciation of the complexity and interconnectedness of our neurological systems in generating our understanding as human beings. It illustrates that our neurological systems are evolutionary and represent four distinct stages of development, yet each aspect works in conjunction and neurologically holistic ways with other aspects of the body/brain system. While this development is sequential and maturational, the body/mind is a complex whole that is an epistemological mystery and fascination.
e) SelfDesign LifeMandala
The purpose of learning anything is in the development and perfection of ourselves, and we offer the LifeMandala to organize our learning into domains of focus aligned with both our neurology and our interests. We rather not conceptualize external and discrete subjects in our goal of increasing self-knowlege, but instead recognize that our experience of the world includes projections of our interests and resonances. This map of the learning territory is to be held within the axiom – the map is not the territory; in other words, the learner is not to be encouraged to fit the map, but rather to use the map to better understand themselves in their ongoing unfolding of infinite intelligence. While we’ve generated numerous variations of this model, generally the milestone of the first half is self-actualization and the second half is promotion of harmonious global ecology.
f) SelfDesign LifeMatrix
The three dimensional model of the LifeMandala is the LifeMatrix which is a 3D mind map of our learning orientations and interests, and it integrates living activities and the qualities that emerge through intention and praxis. A healthy and productive/successful life is the result of the harmony of the four aspects of being human. Individually, we name the qualities at the essence of our body, heart, mind and spirit – with possible examples being wellness, integrity, congruence, and harmony – to strive for maintaining a balance in our living. This model brings us into the center of our experience three dimensionally, and integrates all of our focused activities into an integrated and interconnected whole.
g) SelfDesign Paragon
The SelfDesign Paragon is intended to assist us in appreciating that the process of learning engages a variety of aspects and relationships in optimizing our learning experience throughout our lives. There are at least eight modes of learning (though only one of which is practised by most schooling), and each mode is content free and provides unique access to learning process for different reasons and personalities (some content is better served by one or more modes over others). Relational modes of learning are life-based, and apply to skills arising from learning as a living process. All learning should be initiated and sustained out of a personal and integral interest in knowing, understanding and engaging by a learner.
*all rights of use and publication of the “SelfDesign Compass” are held and reserved by SelfDesign Learning Foundation
