Löv & Barr- The Way of Phi in Practice -

Leaves getting ready to go & pine needles preparing to take centre stage

Dear friend of wisdom,

In the leaves that surround me I see Circular qualities,

In the pine needles I see Linear aspects,

And look, the river mirrors both equally.

The Circularity of the leaves presents itself both in shape and behaviour. They start small in the spring, unfold and grow over the summer until their colours shift and they take leave in the autumn as they fall down and wither. And many leaves have a shape that is more or less roundish (though that more true of some than of others) - while also have a Linear quality hidden in them.

The pines are another matter. They are pointed and straight, often even prickly. And they do not follow the same yearly cycle as leaves, although they also have Circular qualities as new ones appear and old ones are being shed.

In Swedish leaf is called 'löv', which is pronounced very similarly to the word 'love' in some English dialects. And for a long time I thought of Love as more Circular in nature. But I do no longer believe that is true. For love can be Linear as well: Clear boundaries, e.g. saying 'no' to things that are not appropriate, can emanate from a place of love both for oneself and ultimately for the other as well. For can it really be called love to say 'yes' to something that one does not actually want or feel comfortable with? Will that lead to anything positive in the long run?

So while the Circular love might be closer to what we associate with it, Linear love enables one to stay in love -- love that is sustainable.

Conversely, the Swedish word for pine needle, 'barr', is similar to the English word 'bar', e.g. in the context of 'setting a high bar' -- a most Linear concept in terms of measuring performance, but perhaps also one that calls deeply for Circular presence in order not to lead to burnout.

And then there is the River.

Its shape and behaviour is very much both Linear and Circular:

The river has a beginning and an end, which makes it Linear.

However, the flow of the river, the meandering pathways it takes, the way it relates to its surroundings, are all Circular.

Still here,

Christopher

PS Click here to get The Way of Phi