The more we know, the more we know that we actually know nothing.
When applying the thematic to the concept of transactional correctness it becomes quite obvious that the purpose of existence is to observe with awe and infer significance on the Totality of the Other. The resulting effect of doing this is when we change the way we look at things, the things we look at changes. Problems become challenges, petty tyrant become growth opportunities, the leaks in the vessel are indicators of the cracks. All of these are good. My reality can be altered simply by changing my perception. We all know that my perception is my reality, yes?
I am sometimes jealous of people who are so absolutely confidant in themselves and their own perspectives. It seems to be so liberating to have all the answers, all of the time. But I have to wonder if the bravado on the surface is reflected on the inside. Luckily that is none of my business. I have found peace with not having all the answers. It was therefore comforting for me when one of my lectures at USB pressed the point that as leaders we have to become comfortable with being ignorant and incompetent all of the time. Your own life struggle is not to become all knowledgeable and all competent, it is becoming comfortable with the fact that you don’t have all the answers and never will have.
Solid as a rock is a common saying rooted in the absolute knowledge that rock is heavy, hard and yes solid. Then at school in about Grade-8 they tell you that this solid thing called rock is made up of small atoms that in turn are made up of lots of electrons swirling in p- and o-orbits around other small parts called protons. Then to make matters worse they told us that there are gaps in between these things, albeit small ones. This knowledge has to slightly change your perception of the reality of what is solid or at least think about it.
These experiments cast some doubt on the theory of atoms as very small solid particles by showing that the behaviour of these little “particles” don’t behave as particles at all. The behaviour is consistent with the behaviour of wave forms. Electrons and other parts of the atom can thus better be described as waves of energy rather than solid particles. Knowing this once again alters my perception of what is real is or not. Solid is not so solid anymore. More knowledge on the subject is actually making it worse for me. Ignorance seemingly was bliss.
The experiment was refined and with advancement of technology in about 1990 the scientists where able to directly observe the electrons as they were being fired at the slits during the experiment. This act of observing the electrons directly led to the results of the patterning to change. The electrons now suddenly behaved as particles. By seeing the electrons and observing the electron we in fact altered the perceived reality of the electrons.
The conclusion of these experiments is that electrons will behave as a wave until it is directly observed when it suddenly behaves as a particle. This is mind blowing stuff and I have not gotten my head completely around it. My perception of what is real has changed once again. The more we know about the workings of atoms the more we realise we know nothing.
Seeing things (electrons) as they are is a technology that has been developed and matured over many years. For the personal self, seeing things as they are, is a personal technology that requires the self to develop and grow in maturity as well. This cannot be done by some fancy scopes and tunnels buried in mountains. This technology has to be developed continuously by challenging our intent daily. This is not an easy task. This task of developing generosity, courage and trust in our daily lives requires hard work. The unpinning quality all of this is to look at the world with awe. Without awe we cannot see things as they are.
We have to open our eyes physically to let the light in that is reflected from the other. We also have to open our minds to the fact that the universe is a friendly place. Quantum Physics tells us that the nature of electrons can be changed by our way of observing. The thematic of Intent tells us that we can change ourselves and the very nature of the world around us by our way of observing.
Sources:
Davis, Stephen: Butterflies Are Free To Fly.
Schuitema, Etsko: Intent, Exploring the Core of Being Human.