Contemplative Curiosity: Neil Theise on Complexity
Photo by Kirsten Harrison
A Spacious Spiritual Practice
For this practice, settle into your space for 10-ish minutes of presence. Sometimes we can connect to the present moment by noticing what comes up in us as we read, listen, or view a “third thing” and reflecting on it. We may discover insight there, too, but we aren’t approaching the practice with the intention of an outcome. This practice is about entering into what’s happening right now, whatever that is.
Practice Instructions (use them or skip them!):
What is it like inside you and around you in this moment?
What do you notice about your breath?
What do you notice about the physical space you are in?
Is there anything you’d like to attend to before you begin?
Read the following quote (either silently or aloud) 1-2 times. Imagine the words being poured out into your hands. See if a couple of words linger that you can turn toward with curiosity.
What do you notice? Are there words or phrases that linger? Or perhaps you have a felt sense of the entire quote.
Read the quote again.
What do you wonder? As you hold what you noticed, or the entire Theise quote, is there a question that arises in you? Is there a cascade of questions? Sometimes writing these down helps us gently excavate our inner landscape.
Bookmark it. Is there a word, phrase, or question you’d like to carry with you (in a journal, to explore in a conversation with a friend, to spiritual direction)?
Savoring & Appreciation. You took some moments to be present. This was the invitation. Whether or not you experienced something that sticks with you, consider savoring the experience and appreciating yourself for showing up.
Complexity prods me to consider how I can participate in the world around me rather than simply cower with my head down. My gestures don’t have to be large, because all effects are local, and one never knows what this butterfly flapping its wings will produce in the larger world.
One just has to know that we have opportunities for creating adaptive change in every moment, to cultivate greater interactivity between people, to reinforce homeostatic societal feedback loops, to be courageous in resisting what appear like top-down controls, and to trust that nothing is determined or fixed.
Every moment has the random potential to surprise us with new possibilities. However dire the moment, life saving adaptation might just be around the corner, and might even arise from something you yourself have helped bring forth.
Dr. Neil Theise in Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being
Contemplate the image. You may try a similar exercise with the image above. What do you notice? What do you wonder? Are you drawn to the image? Do you resist it?
Would you like some company or gentle guidance as you listen for wisdom and explore new ways of engaging with your soul? Kirsten offers spacious accompaniment and trauma-informed spiritual direction. I’d love to hear what’s stirring in you and meet with you for a free exploration session.
