Self and Group
There are those of us who know more about than we know about ourselves. A family is a group of sorts. There are those who realize that knowledge of self and knowledge of group are are, very often, best developed in tandem. Or, more fully said, that some have come to realize that our understanding in one area can get so far ahead of the other that our development in both is limited. And, that when our development falls enough behind the other, the development of both is hindered. So, that which you are learning about the use of self can help you in your use of group. Also development of your power in the use group can improve your ongoing self development.
So it is that most of us benefit by ongoing development of our understanding of self and that of group, without letting understanding in one get to far ahead the other. So I could say that participation in group is good for self development. And that is just the beginning. Group knowledge leads to knowledge of dialogue and co-operation, which leads to the better use of organization. And the practice of these steps seem to lead to the better practice of collective self-governance.
A prime injunction of wisdom teachings has been, "Know thyself." This injunction has been up there close to the one Christ taught on the nature of love. Wisdom teachings also suggest that learning which leads to understanding and meaning may be the prime purpose of human being and also that the first important learning is of self. So, gaining understanding in self helps one to gain understanding of group. As we come to improved doing of group we come to better understand ourselves. And, so on. We seem to be creatures of great curiosity who seem to love getting more meaning into our lives.
Learning seems to aid our knowing and and understanding. Observation and practice aids our learning. It may be good for us to realize that there is a lot to learn, know, and understand. Learning, knowing, and understanding seems to stroke and stoke our curiosity and to also to feed our hungry minds with meaning. These doings can be done alone and may also be better done co-operating in a group.
You may believe that learning is an important part of being. You may have found that it can often be fun and that it is almost always be satisfying. Others and sometimes our vary selves have made it unpleasant. Some agree that learning is often best when one follows his or her bliss.
I believe that learning about groups is a great way to learn about ourselves, our world, and our collective self-governance. My experience informs me that there are many qualities of learning. You might want to consider the quality of your recent learning. Who you are now and the nature of your present situation effects that quality. Right now it may be effected by my writing.
These days much of my writing is affected by the way we are not governing ourselves and the way we are doing so little to help each other to better practice governance. Two ways I see to better the situation were there is the will to do so. One way is centered on face to face groups of less than 40. The other is centered on particular way of speaking among one among one another; it might be called a democratic dialogue.
Thank you for reading this far. The following will be not
Participation in a Group
Participation in a certain group at a certain time can be a pleasure or a pain. At the same time it is nearly always a learning experience. That learning and that experience will be of varying quality. Much of that learning can lead to valuable knowledge of self. Awareness of that possibility can aid the quality of your learning and your life.
There are many kinds of groups; examples include hobby groups, civic service, political group, self-help group, religious groups and there are many different variations of each kind of group. Recently I have thought of being a participant in two learning/study groups: one dealing with more effective group dialogue the other about the nature and practice of citizen governance.
Governance group might deal schools and utilities. Another governance group might might be interested in the democratic governance of all kinds of groups, another group may be formed to look at the democratic intent of the US constitution. You may be interested in new ways of managing a corporation. Or, you might enjoy participating in a fly fishing and fly tying group, a sane dating group, or a music appreciation group.
You might find your group useful, interesting, and a joy for more reasons than I can imagine. Each group can a learning experience on two levels one can be through your observation of the nature of the group and its interests and the other your observation of your participation in the group.
Of course, one group can be more useful, pleasant, or interesting than another is to and to others. Some will be better suited to your personality or to your deeper self then are others.
Some groups are more transitory than are others. While others prove lasting enough to prove very useful to their members. A significant number of these longer lasting groups can become social tools as well as well as a sort of schools well adapted to its members.
The probability of success among these groups is increased by a high level of participation by a large percentage of a groups membership. This participation has strengthened both the effectiveness and the longevity of groups. Also groups of a democratic nature often prove to be more effective in the long run.
Surely an important part of being is learning. Learning about the world around us can be an important move toward learning about ourselves, as learning about ourselves can be vital to coming to a better understanding of our world. I believe that the learning we can do in groups is important to learning about self, our world, and self governance.
My experience informs me that there are many qualities of learning and that learning in one area is supportive of learning in other areas. You may have become aware that learning of governance, and how to do it, is important to me. My interest includes both that of the individual self-governance of each of us, and our collective mutual self-governance.
It is fair for you to check to see how much of that which I am writing makes useful good sense to you. If it does seem to make useful good sense to you, take note. You may find that is truly important to your life. If you think that it may be of ongoing usefulness to you, but that you also have questions related to it then please ask those questions. If the "comments" section just below seems not to be working, use the "comments" section of any one of the associated blogsites available sites here. To do so mention the name of this post and the name of this site in your post to "comments." I will try to respond in the "comments" section or in a post. It may be useful to use your name or a nom de plume.
Below you may find more about the nature of group and group participation.
Participation in a Group
Participation in a group is a learning experience. The quality of that experience will be of varying quality. However what you learn and the quality of that learning will be very much up to you. Your learning can lead to valuable knowledge of yourself. Awareness of the possibilities of your learning can enhance the the quality of your learning and of your life.
Groups can be organizations, very well organized and effective organizations. In groups and organizations it is important to each one that each member knows and has in mind that he or she is important to the organization, to its longevity, to it's value to each member and the collective, to the congeniality of membership, and more. For the good of the group and of individual members it is best that each member has a place in the organization and and valued activity/job. Being a practicing participatory democracy tends to increase the level participation in a group and to increase its value to one and all.
You have the power to have a group. A local face to face is usually best. You can enjoy the power and usefulness of the group and your strength, growth, and development in it. Its fair to make a group of your own when you become so inclined. You can visit the dialogue site here for some ideas.
Let's say that you get info about a group which seems interesting. You can probably attend a few meetings to see what its like. Showing up is an important step. You can join it for a time if it seems congenial.
What's next? You could do this: Analyze your group or organization to better know it and perhaps yourself. Doing such an analysis can help you to participate in it more effectively and more completely enjoy its benefits.
Activities to Help You to Better Understand A Group
To start you, or you and a friend, can begin to carry out some of the activities suggested just below:
~ Find out who in the group has authority to implement group plans. Doing so will lead you to many questions which may have illuminating answers.
~ Know the action plan for long range funding of your organization as a group. this leads to more interesting questions.
~ Find out who is involved in developing your strategic plan. You may now be learn some diplomacy; and to have some new questions: What plan? What strategy? What involvement? What's going on?
~ Know your membership trends. Is membership increasing or decreasing? Why?
~ What is the nature of the groups benefits for you and others? Just what are they?
~ Who is doing the bulk of the work to accomplish the group goals? Just what are those goals? What work?
~ Which people to the work? What jobs are there to do? Who makes the meeting place available and ready to use? Where are the job doers?
~ Consider the nature of the group's for you and for others.
~ Make sure you know the engines of your group. How are members motivated. What keeps them coming back?
Group as an Example of an Organization
A Group is an organization. Both or or either one can keep you as busy as you like. Your group ought to feel congenial to you.
You might set out to find answers to the following questions as aids to your growth, pleasure, and power and that of other members of your group:
~ What questions do you have about your group/organization? What questions do you have about your membership in it?
~ How will you get answers to those questions?
~ What will you do about your questions and answers? What can you do. What would you rather do? What would you do about the questions and answers when you had the help of other members?
~ What makes your group operate? What makes you operate? What makes you and other members co-operate?
~ What motivates you observe the doings of members? Do you consider your motivations for doing so. Do you consider what seems to be their their motives for doing what they do.
Keep in mind that in a group, it is not mandatory that you search for answers to your questions by yourself. Your group is for doing together.
Enjoy your growing power and the growing power of your group. You support your group's power and your group supports yours.
Take, or make the opportunity to learn more about you.
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to tell me what you got out of it.
Richard S.