Transition Step: Functional – The Puzzle: A Conceptual Vision with Practical Implications
Now we are going to move from the conceptual/theoretical realm to more practical, to the Action Items. This section provides a segue to the functional aspects of the JRLU/RRES, but also ties back to our systems thinking approach, or context. It should be apparent that any community project done within “context” will have numerous activities which need to be organized and coordinated. Many of these “pieces of the puzzle” have very different characteristics and functions. So the operational activities (goals, objectives, tasks) can be very different.
In order to help us get our mind “wrapped around” all of these pieces it has been useful for us to use the image of a puzzle to help us organize our efforts. The puzzle put back together metaphorically represents the “vision” or the overall picture that we want to achieve. The pieces of the puzzle represent the various components of the strategy.
Diagram 8 depicts this tool. It is important that the “tools” that we use for our systems approach not distract or confuse us. Using a puzzle image provides a simple, yet effective way to visualize context and, to an extent, relationships. We will not discuss the puzzle pieces in detail in this proposal and the pieces depicted are merely “tentative” ideas that might be developed. The actual puzzle pieces will be derived from actual planning.
Diagram 8: The JRLU puzzle.
Moving Into the Core Curriculum and Action Items for the JRLU
The JRLU is a new educational model, one based on each individual coming to embrace a “Reverence for Life” (including their own). In order for the greatest impact to be realized, we have to instill a new basis for living, one based on confidence. As mentioned previously, we believe demonstration is the best way to instill a culture of change for families and other organizations.
What is working against this new basis for living is a “theological pathology” (Green 1966). This pathology is expressed and passed on generation to generation most distinctly at the family level. This idea briefly, which has been emphasized most dramatically in religious organizations, is that life is about suffering and that people are “born in sin”.
Addressing this pathological tradition requires a fundamental shift in people´s understanding and belief systems. The only way that these changes occur is through individual transformation and awakening. Then, the greater family and society traditions can begin to be addressed. The first, as mentioned previously, is in families. Again, the break in the familiar tradition of perpetual, generational suffering will likely not change through any type of direct intervention (at least in most cases), but through the empowerment of individual family members to free themselves from limiting perceptions and mentality, this process can be termed “demonstration”. This then provides a sort of path for other family members to follow.
The Practice and
Deep Conscious Breathing – The Foundation for JRLU’s Success
In order to achieve success at all scales we must first develop a solid foundation to empower individuals. The Practice provides that foundation. Additional personal empowerment courses and seminars will be available from JRLU and can enhance the success of the individual, but the “core curriculum” is based on the clear, simple actions and principles outlined in The Practice, (See “Core Content” for more on The Practice). In fact, to go a step lower, the foundation of The Practice is Conscious Deep Breathing (CDB), which is really the foundation of all life.
We have been reviewing many sources and books on spiritual practice and the import of the “breath” and breathing for spiritual transformation is irrefutable. However, for brevity we provide one excerpt to validate that a solid foundational idea and practice for individual empowerment be upon Conscious Deep Breathing. A quote from Eckhart Tolle’s book “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” adequately sums up our position on conscious, deep breathing and its benefits.
“Someone recently showed me the prospectus of a large spiritual organization. When I looked through it, I was impressed by the wide choice of seminars and workshops. It reminded me of a smorgasbord, one of those Scandinavian buffets where you can take your pick from a huge variety of dishes. The person asked me whether I could recommend one or two courses. “I don’t know” I said. “They all look so interesting”. But I do know this,” I added. “Be aware of your breathing as often as you are able, whenever you remember. Do that for one year, and it will be more powerfully transformative than attending all of these courses. And it’s free.” Eckhart Tolle: A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.
To expand and serve organizations/communities as you go up the pyramid of the Success Across Scales (Diagram 5), JRLU will provide curriculums and courses designed to address the special needs and characteristics of those organizations to ensure success. Our Success Across Scales principle is a simple concept that states that the ultimate success of each higher scale is dependent on the success of the scale below it. However, our success with JRLU is this understanding, and our team’s knowledge of the special challenges and functioning of the various organizations across scales. Our unique knowledge of this principle, and our expertise to utilize information technologies to address these various needs of all scales (individual, business, organization, community, region, state/nation), positions us to be a powerful change agent in education in the 21st century.
The ideas for the Action Items, and the library and school of the future and supporting infrastructure are not just “pie in the sky”. Some of the concepts discussed were the inspiration of Dr. Richard Ewing, which were used to win a $20 million grant to create a virtual institute with the King Abdulah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.
All rights reserved GBCI, SMI & JRLU Team © 2012