Several Levels at Once - The Way of Phi in Practice -

Growing Trees, Chopping Trees, Dead Wood, and Fresh Air

Dear friend,

When we do things, why do we do them?

When things happen, what is their purpose?

In the past, I might have come up with a clever theory that boiled down to the idea that there is a great underlying meaning behind all of it.

But after a wide assortment of experiences, I think things might be more complex than that. A lot more complex.

I mean, I still believe that there is some sort of Divine Providence guiding us in a way that aligns with a Great Plan, but this is not a plan in the regular sense of a city plan or a project plan. I think of it more as the way a fractal is organised in all its randomness.

And since the reality that we are experiencing seems to be ever more complex, no matter how much we either zoom in or zoom out, seeking the ultimate cause seems utterly futile.

So, instead, I am trying to embrace the multiplicity inherent in each moment, each decision, each encounter. Things are not completely random or chaotic. Clearly, there are various degrees of order. However, I don't need to figure it all out.

That being said, figuring things out, I see as one worthwhile level to engage with. Certainly not the only one, but I think that there is beauty and intrinsic value in using the intellect to further our knowledge and understanding of things – provided that we pair this with humility about our place in the universe and how very little we actually know about things. But still, to keep going.

In addition to the intellectual level, however, there are many others, including, but not limited to, physical, emotional, relational, societal, financial, artistic, existential, and spiritual levels. And all of these levels, all of these perspectives are there all the time, whether we are aware of them or not.

I think of how hot-air balloons are typically navigated by changing altitude in order to match winds that are blowing in the desired direction. Similarly, by shifting levels, we can engage with, learn about and experience reality in a multitude of ways.

Let's say you want to get to know someone better. How would you go about it? Would you ask that person a lot of questions? Or find an activity to do together? Or discover a shared interest to engage with more deeply? Or play games of some kind? Or dance? Or pray? Or meditate? Or be creative, e.g. make music together? Maybe a collection of several of these.

Now, depending on which ones you choose, you might discover different things about this person – and yourself. And this in turn might determine how well you feel that you can connect.

Or let's shift perspective to these letters that I send out every Monday. What do I send them?

Is it to entertain you?

To inspire you?

Or because I think it's fun and rewarding to collect my thoughts and see what happens?

Maybe it's a marketing tool to let you know about what I do and offer, hoping that you might know someone who would find value in hiring me?

Or maybe it's a way for me to share thoughts with people in the hope that my words will be of benefit to others?

Could it be a way to create a buzz and interest around my book, so that you might buy or gift it?

Now, if it were only one of the above, you would probably see more streamlined entries. Formulaic even. But as I am exploring my own journey through life, applying The Way of Phi and the concept of Dynamic Balance in various ways, the words in these letters also reflect that. Sometimes it gets autobiographical. Other times it's more of a discourse. And yet others, I've leaned into a more poetic way of writing.

And that is where I see the true potential of being alive at this time. The shift into the Age of Aquarius is said to be nearing completion. And with that the Age of Pisces – the last 2,000 years of following in the footsteps of the great fisherman – are finding closure. These past two millennia have in many ways been shaped by the words of Jesus: either we are with him or we are against him. In the gospel of Matthew, the Christ says that he has not come to bring peace, but a sword. That there will be divisions, factions, and wars. And thus it has been. Yet now, something else is beginning. Sure, there are plenty of old men advocating for more wars and all that, but their voices are only one frequency amongst an almost infinite number of others.

When I grew up, there were rather limited choices in terms of news. And now, so many different perspectives are available, that it's not about how to relate to 'the news', but which frequency to tune into. The more skilled we get in choosing the frequency that serves us, the better we can navigate. Like with the hot-air balloon.

So where do you look? Who do you seek counsel from? What ideas do you allow to guide you? And since you are reading this letter, and perhaps have read many in the past, what are you finding here? And how is that informing your journey?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. 

Still here,

Christopher

PS Click here to get The Way of Phi