Soul, entropy and learning LO5118

Dave Birren, MB-5, 608-267-2442 (BIRRED@dnr.state.wi.us)
Thu, 25 Jan 1996 12:39 CST

I recently posted something about Scott Peck's concept of entropy in
relation to evolution. Peck also says that entropy expresses itself in
humans in the form of laziness. That, in turn, shows up in fear,
primarily the fear of change. In sum, our inherent laziness predisposes
us to see anything that causes us to have to work as a threat, and change
is a big threat. So our natural tendency is to preserve stasis.

Spiritual development (aka learning) is the other side of this coin. Some
people decide (or are somehow predisposed) to overcome this entropic
tendency, and they work hard at it. It seems to me that the ability to
learn new ideas, skills and attitudes, while at the same time continuing
with life, is the delicate balancing act of dynamic equilibrium. I'd
suggest that the chronic conflict, hesitation, confusion, resistance,
etc., that we see in relation to learning-org issues has to do with the
continuum between stasis and all-out change. The pendulum swings back and
forth, and we can't always be sure exactly where we are in its arc (a la
the Heisenberg indeterminacy principle). But we can be sure that if these
two forces are at work, not only will we not stay in the same place for
long, but we will never permanently achieve any specific outcome.

The nature of things is to change. Us, too.

Thomas Moore connects with this in _Care of the Soul_. The following
quote is on the January 24th leaf of the Care of the Soul daily calendar:

"We want to sidestep negative moods and emotion, bad life choices and
unhealthy habits. But if our purpose is to first observe the soul as it
is, then we may have to discard the salvational wish and find deeper
respect for what is actually there. By trying to avoid human mistakes and
failure, we move beyond the reach of the soul."

If we, and the organizations whose development we are committed to, are to
progress, we must stay within the domain of soul, with all the misery and
failure and frustration that entails. That's the domain of learning,
growth and real development.

Relentlessly,

Dave

--
David E. Birren                          Phone:   (608)267-2442
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources     Fax:     (608)267-3579
Bureau of Management & Budget            E-mail:  birred@dnr.state.wi.us

We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. (from T. S. Eliot's "Little Gidding")