The word “system” has many meanings. Some will think of a computer system. Some of bureaucracy. Others of a way of doing things, a methodology. In the context of this book the word system means “a set of interconnected and interacting entities that function as a whole to a common objective(s).” So a pile of fruit in a bowl is not a system. The tree which bore the fruit is. I am a system. My digestive system is a system. So is my horse. So is my family. So is the organisation I worked for. So is the World. So systems can be different sizes. We each have systems within us and belong to systems that are greater than us.
When we choose to ride our horse we aim to create a new system…when this system works perfectly it appears seamless and effortless. We have truly created a new system that is more than the sum of the parts. The feeling of harmony shows that the system is functioning well. The strength of the connections determines the strength of the system. We’ve all seen them – the partnerships who are truly in-sync, in harmony with each other. We’ve also seen the ones that aren’t – a separate horse and a rider because the connections are not strong enough for harmony. To transcend the ordinary we have to understand and strengthen the connections.
“….the horse is an articulated system that must function as one unit. Our final aim is to become united with that system. Fluidity is just one element of this unity, made up of so many interrelated parts or elements that it requires deep study to comprehend it perfectly. “
Udo Burger (3)
The other test – what happens when you cut the system in half? If I cut myself in half I will die. Cut the horse and rider in half and you don’t get two half-sized horse and riders! When horse and rider part company the system becomes two separate, and very different, systems - a horse and a human being. What was achievable when they were united is unachievable separated.
Figure 1 Half a system?
Systems are goal seeking. This means that they have a purpose. They seek balance or should I say equilibrium. If they get too much out of kilter they will push back. These are the laws of cause and effect. Whenever we work against the system rather than with it we may profit in the short term but we will always suffer in the longer term. Most quick fixes fail in the longer term. ALL our problems now are the results of choices made by our-selves and by others in the past. As Einstein observed, “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.”
Only by understanding the system can we make the right choices for the future. But we must recognise that our mission to understand the system will never end; the depth and width is incomprehensible. So we are all learners, we will never be 100% right, we can only make the best choice with our current level of understanding. And continuously seek to deepen and broaden that understanding. Every choice needs to be seen as an experiment to be monitored and learnt from. Did it work? What happened? Why? What should I do now? In this way we become perpetual learners and life becomes exciting.
Think for a moment. Why do people close their minds to learning?
Admitting the need to learn means admitting that we don’t know. Not knowing is “uncool”. We don’t like to admit it. In addition, we associate learning with “effort”. It is hard work.
At this point you may be saying “Not me. I know I’m useless…” Too much humility is not good either. It prevents us trying new things. It makes us indefinite. When things don’t go to plan we blame ourselves rather than learning. I know. I’ve been there. We do need to be honest but maintain a positive attitude to our future learning.