Bound Together in a New Cycle—Matariki

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This year’s theme for the Māori New Year is Matariki herenga waka which, according to the offical programme, reflects the place where many waka are bound together — shaped by journeys, trade, kinship, and connections over time. 

Perhaps Emérgéntly is a herenga waka, or a place where separate journeys converge and become bound together—Ancestral Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, ancient empirical observations and modern science. We are bound together (in relationship) with each other and the environment of the entire planet, not just our local habitat. 

Emérgéntly helps us explore those relationships, and the emergent possibilities of future relationships. YodimispiralInBullet said:

To forsee,
face back.
To let come,
let go.

Face back thousands of years: We seldom travelled beyond the horizon and it was commonly thought the world was flat, 2D. The concept of 3D was of little use. Nowdays, with GPS and air travel around the globe, it is commonly thought that the planet is spherical, 3D. The concept of 4D seems of little use. Perhaps the fourth dimension is relationship and we don't understand how fundamental it is to reality. No wonder we have the current polycrisis!

If we start with one point representing the origin of a "thing" we can point to within the Universe, then

  1. Add a second point and we have 1 dimensional line, but this is an abstract idea with no physical depth.
  2. Add a third point and we have a 2 dimensional triangle, still abstract with no thickness.
  3. Add a fourth point and we have a 3 dimensional tetrahedron, but nothing to distinguish the inside from the outsidespiralInBullet of the four points. 
  4. Add a fifth point as the origin in the centre and we have a 4 dimensional "thing" in relationship to its environment in the Universe. As Bucky says, There can never be any less than four primitive dimensions.

Any "thing" is always in relationship to the Universe in both space time. The thing only exists within a volume of space and a period of time. It has a story.

To forsee a regenerative future, we must learn how to operate in the 4 dimensional world where everything is in relationship with everything and we all strive for shared-sufficiency.

To let come, let go of 3D thinking where self-sufficiency is an illusion and unsustainable. Any local action has global impact.

The call to action is to reframe goals as aspirations for relationships. Say my goal is to lose weight. How will my relationship with food change? How might my relationship with family and friends change as my relationship with food changes?  Goals are simple, relationships are complicated.

Next: Context and Perspective

Metaphor opens our minds to changing perspective AND context. Aristotle said being a master of metaphor is a sign of genius. Perhaps most indigenous teachers would agree.