Common Polarities by Force:
Strategies and patterns often reveal places that we are holding an either-or, black and white thinking. When they are not integrated, the four forces and the metaskills, feel like we have to choose between them. Also, these same polarities show up in our relationships, communities and greater cultural trends. Take a moment and see if any of these common polarities are ones that you find yourself flip-flopping between. You might also see these as “old you” and “new you” if you have done a bigger flip between forces during your . These point to common strategies and patterns that are ready to break open into something new.
There are six combinations when we pair the four forces up, two at a time. There is also the common pattern of the axis of Connection/Purpose as opposite to Expression / Growth. Below we look at these common variations.
Connection Expression
I want to belong / fit in …………………….. I want to be different
Spirit / Soul……………………………………….. Human
Oneness……………………………………………. Separateness
Sameness…………………………………………. Difference
Other (You)………………………………………. Individuality (Me)
Empathic………………………………………….. Self Focused
Family Needs………………………………….. My Needs
Other People’s Desires /Feelings….……. My Desires / Feelings
Humility…………………………………………….. Greatness
Nonduality………………………………………… Duality
Feminine…………………………………………… Masculine
Spiritual……………………………………………. Hedonistic
Connection Growth
Stillness………………………………………….…. Movement
Being…………………………………………………. Doing
Family……………………………………………….. Career
Spiritual……………………………………………… Material
Intuition……………………………………………… Concrete Proof
Live in the now…………………………………… Working for the future
People………………………………………………… Profits / Money
The Environment……………………………….. Progress / Development
Everyone Gets Trophy ……………………….. Winners / Losers
Connection Purpose
Oneness……………………………………………… Relationship
Feeling……………………………………………….. Thinking
Experiencing………………………………………. Organizing
Merging…………………………………………….. Collaboration
My Tribe ……………….………………………….. Greater Good
Family……………………………………………….. Mission
In God’s Hands…………………………………… Control – I can fix it
Acceptance of what is………………………… Vision of what could be
Formless……………………………………………. Form
Spirituality…………………………………………. Religion
Expression Purpose
What I want………………………………………… Greater Good
Freedom …………………………………………… Obligations
Me……………………………………………………… We
Free Will……………………………………………… Destiny
Freedom……………………………………………… Rules
Independence…………………………………….. Responsibility
Selfish…………………………………………………. Sacrifice
Receiving…………………………………………… Giving
Anarchy……………………………………………… Rules / Regulations
Domination………………………………………… Cooperation
Do my own thing……………………………….. Part of Something Bigger
No Mask (Freedom, choice) ……………… Mask (Greater Good, Protection)
Expression Growth
I am perfect the way I am…………………… I want to be better / different
Do what you love …………………………… Making Money
Freedom……………………………………………. Survival
Hedonism…………………………………………. Hard Work
Pleasure……………………………………………. Achievement
Starving Artist…………………………………… Selling Out
Play……………………………………………………… Work
Comfort………………………………………………. Change
Enjoy Today………………………………………… Strive for Tomorrow
Being Transparent………………………………. Manipulating to get what you want.
Shock Jock’s………………………………………. Pleasing Sponsors
Purpose Growth
Order………………………………………………… Chaos
Work I love………………………………………… Money
Tradition…………………………………………… Change
Efficiency………………………………………….. Innovation
Planning…………………………………………….. Spontaneity
Collaboration……………………………………… Competition
Control……………………………………………… Emergence
Known………………………………………………… Unknown
Belief…………………………………………………… Proof
Quality………………………………………………… Quantity
Mission………………………………………………… Profit Margin
Looking at Social Issues:
Connection / Purpose Axis Expression / Growth Axis
Socialism / Communism Capitalism / Free Markets
Left Right
“PC” language Free Speech (I can say whatever I want)
Government Regulation to counter Greed American Dream
Taxes for Collective Good No taxes, Individual Responsibility
Social Responsibility Financial Responsibility to Shareholders
Pro Choice using “Every child wanted” Pro Life using “Freedom of Religion”
Gun Control Individual Right to Carry Guns
Social Safety Net Survival of Fittest / Individual Responsibility
Environment Economy
Globalism Nationalism
Eastern Cultures Many Western Cultures
Sameness (PC language, Equality) Don’t tell me what to do.