Worldwork is the theory and practice of Arnold Mindell’s process-oriented psychology that is applied to large groups, teams, organizations and communities. In my mind, it’s application has a set of propositions and values that are implicit and important:
- As a group we can create and come to a deeper understanding, facilitate the emergence of meaning for the group and increase truth and coherence.
- Each individual carries an aspect of the divine in themselves, is needed the way they are, and have intrinsic worth; and while each individual voice is meaningful together we get to a deeper truth.
- As individuals in mutually reciprocal and respectful relationships we better each other.
- As individuals we some time are dreamed up to embody and voice someone else’s viewpoints.
- One’s viewpoints, ideas, and actions are not representative of one’s whole self and they don’t belong to us only.
- The unspoken Tao, God or field speaks and expresses itself through us.
- Marginalized thoughts and viewpoints show up in unintended communication signals that have potent impact on dialogs.
- Groups, teams and communities benefit from having marginalized and repressed viewpoints come to the for and processed.
- Sincere dialog, exchange of ideas and lived experiences bring people together and create community. The group dialog also uncovers the group’s Dreaming and Process.
- Relationships, dialog, and group process are cloaked in a structure of rank and powers that manifest themselves in individuals, groups, communities, structures and systems. These ranks and powers come with a history of abuse, oppression and trauma as well as a history of good deeds.
- A moral principle that facilitates the resolution of differences and conflicts is the ability to take someone else’s side and put oneself in someone else’s shoes/moccasins.
- Because of the abuse of power and rank, some individuals, groups and communities have to strongly advocate for their side before being able – if at all – to change perspective and take the other side.
- The ability of holding multiple viewpoints at the same time (leadership/eldership) is rare, but when it shows up it can bring healing and hope.
These principles and values structure our analysis and interventions. They inform the leadership and facilitation of Process Work group processes, team coaching and open community forums. They can be corrupted and misused for the detriment of groups and communities but used with integrity, good intentions, curiosity, a beginner’s mind, good feeling- or meta-skills, they are extremely helpful.
Cultural debates about anti-racism, systemic racism, the centering of power or race, white supremacy, gender identity, cancel culture, wokeness or political correctness, the weaponization of guilt, the theft of an election, etc… are group processes through which we can emerge as a better society. These issues are very complex and fraught with the potential for further corruption, escalation and harm. The centering on anti-racism for example, when taken to the extreme, can become oppressive.
The propositions on each sides of the cultural debates, such as regulations of speech on university campuses, the emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the rebuke of authoritarian tendencies and some form of aberrant “religious” fanaticism in some strains of anti-racism and political correctness are not misguided or confused ideologies, but necessary representations of viewpoints that call for our attention and societal debate to come up with better answers.
Underlying claims need to be critically reviewed and substantiated and as the worst person has intrinsic worth the most misguided and confused ideas or conspiracies have beneath them some element of truth and value. I don’t support ethical relativism and think that there are fundamental moral standards and a hierarchy of values that guide our thoughts and behaviors, but these are complex questions that call for ongoing consideration and debate. The point is: dialog; without dialog we won’t find answers.