I’ve long championed this notion: step one: choose your philosophy (decide who you want to be), step two: live by it (act as that person immediately).While I still subscribe to that mantra, something about the first step always felt a bit off. Can we truly “decide” our way into a meaningful life—or is there something wilder at play?
"While we focus on the parts, many others focus on their relationships".. reminds me of the framing offered by Johannes Jeager in his excellent lecture series: "beyond networks.."
Our worldviews, metaphors and organizing principles (can be limited to the first :
- Parts (Newtonian)
- Relationships (systems of parts, machines/mental constructs)
So much that resonates here. And so much that hits home, especially in the context of the deep reciprocal relation between 'health-ing' and 'philosophy-ing' (I'm sure we'll find a way to chat about this on our call).
Something that comes to mind is 4E (or rather, 6E cogsci). One way I've come to relate to philosophy-ing is through the idea that it's an embodied, embedded, enactive, extended, emotional and exaptive process.
Of course, this is one of many ways to frame, but I reckon it may be of interest.
The Preservation of the Truth (aka story/philosophy)
Why do we think we need to preserve the truth?
Is the truth in danger of expiring?
Is it stamped with a date after which it will
not be fit for human consumption?
Is the fruit of truth fully ripened in our hearts
so that now is the time to make preserves
from its peeking lushness?
Or is the truth so old that it is made fragile by
time and like some ancient text needs
protection behind hermetically sealed glass?
Should truth be put in the deep freeze
stacked beneath the shrink wrapped
portions of yesterday's leftover epiphanies?
Maybe by adding a vinegary mixture
of settled belief and tamed mystery
the truth can be pickled for all time.
If not from time and decay
and the 2nd law of thermodynamics then
from what shall the truth be preserved?
From those whose truth is so
at odds with my truth that the
gods of non contradiction are angered?
From the synchronists whose
recipe of this and that and the other
waters truth so that it loses all taste?
From the Spirit of truth itself
whose wind blows through settled
knowings scattering them like dust?
Because truth like manna, is not
of our own making we are given what we
need when we need it.
Our attempts to preserve truth because we fear
it may run out or stop falling from the heaven
only provides food for the maggots
Here is the only truth worth preserving
We do not preserve the truth.
The Truth preserves us.
The truth can be held, spoken, listened to, followed,
cherished, sung, danced, shared
by those with ears to hear and eyes to see.
The truth cannot be preserved, pickled,
sealed, protected, tamed,
or most of all kept safe.
This we have known from the beginning
but in our arrogance forget
like love "you must walk in it."
2 John 1:4-6 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.
Thank you for this article that resonates in the depths of my soul. As a sojourner in the midst of major life transformations, unpacking generational traumas, deconstructing culturally- and societally-influenced belief systems and unlearning, your thoughts on philosophy provide affirmation. My life is on the correct trajectory and my journey is one of perpetual becoming. 💕
There’s something sacred in how you’ve articulated this: A philosophy not as an object to hold, but a being that holds us. Co-created, compostable, and alive.
Reading this felt like a forest walk... dense with roots, unpredictable light, and a subtle invitation to remember what I already knew.
It reminded me of something I’ve experienced in building systems with founders and creators: Even our operations, our execution models, our strategies - they carry philosophies. Unexamined, they become extractive. But when designed with soul, they evolve like living organisms.
We don’t scale businesses.
We steward fields.
And our frameworks? They’re not tools to impose. They’re mirrors for the becoming we’re brave enough to host.
This whole piece feels like a quiet revolution. A call to stop “having” beliefs and start tending the habitats they require.
Grateful to meet your philosophy in the wild. Subscribed.
- Thane
Execution Intelligence - for builders designing systems that move at the speed of soul
"While we focus on the parts, many others focus on their relationships".. reminds me of the framing offered by Johannes Jeager in his excellent lecture series: "beyond networks.."
Our worldviews, metaphors and organizing principles (can be limited to the first :
- Parts (Newtonian)
- Relationships (systems of parts, machines/mental constructs)
------------------------
- Processes (living worldview, unfolding)
- Agency (vitalist, intra-action)
Thanks for the tip. I’ll check it out.
(typo: meant to say "can be limited commonly to the first two when operating from a mechanistic worldview"
“Puppets of our paradigms” - I’ll remember that! 🙂
☺️
So much that resonates here. And so much that hits home, especially in the context of the deep reciprocal relation between 'health-ing' and 'philosophy-ing' (I'm sure we'll find a way to chat about this on our call).
Something that comes to mind is 4E (or rather, 6E cogsci). One way I've come to relate to philosophy-ing is through the idea that it's an embodied, embedded, enactive, extended, emotional and exaptive process.
Of course, this is one of many ways to frame, but I reckon it may be of interest.
Also, if you haven't seen this (related), it may be of interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4gbs0Evx_I
Thanks Nate. I’ll check that out.
I really liked this! I guess that's all I have to say 🙂
Reminds me of a poem from a few years ago.
The Preservation of the Truth (aka story/philosophy)
Why do we think we need to preserve the truth?
Is the truth in danger of expiring?
Is it stamped with a date after which it will
not be fit for human consumption?
Is the fruit of truth fully ripened in our hearts
so that now is the time to make preserves
from its peeking lushness?
Or is the truth so old that it is made fragile by
time and like some ancient text needs
protection behind hermetically sealed glass?
Should truth be put in the deep freeze
stacked beneath the shrink wrapped
portions of yesterday's leftover epiphanies?
Maybe by adding a vinegary mixture
of settled belief and tamed mystery
the truth can be pickled for all time.
If not from time and decay
and the 2nd law of thermodynamics then
from what shall the truth be preserved?
From those whose truth is so
at odds with my truth that the
gods of non contradiction are angered?
From the synchronists whose
recipe of this and that and the other
waters truth so that it loses all taste?
From the Spirit of truth itself
whose wind blows through settled
knowings scattering them like dust?
Because truth like manna, is not
of our own making we are given what we
need when we need it.
Our attempts to preserve truth because we fear
it may run out or stop falling from the heaven
only provides food for the maggots
Here is the only truth worth preserving
We do not preserve the truth.
The Truth preserves us.
The truth can be held, spoken, listened to, followed,
cherished, sung, danced, shared
by those with ears to hear and eyes to see.
The truth cannot be preserved, pickled,
sealed, protected, tamed,
or most of all kept safe.
This we have known from the beginning
but in our arrogance forget
like love "you must walk in it."
2 John 1:4-6 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.
What a great poem.
Love this post, and your notion of philosophy as a living being. Thank you! ❤️🌲
Thank you Jackie 💕.
Thank you for this article that resonates in the depths of my soul. As a sojourner in the midst of major life transformations, unpacking generational traumas, deconstructing culturally- and societally-influenced belief systems and unlearning, your thoughts on philosophy provide affirmation. My life is on the correct trajectory and my journey is one of perpetual becoming. 💕
Lovely post. Thank you!
There’s something sacred in how you’ve articulated this: A philosophy not as an object to hold, but a being that holds us. Co-created, compostable, and alive.
Reading this felt like a forest walk... dense with roots, unpredictable light, and a subtle invitation to remember what I already knew.
It reminded me of something I’ve experienced in building systems with founders and creators: Even our operations, our execution models, our strategies - they carry philosophies. Unexamined, they become extractive. But when designed with soul, they evolve like living organisms.
We don’t scale businesses.
We steward fields.
And our frameworks? They’re not tools to impose. They’re mirrors for the becoming we’re brave enough to host.
This whole piece feels like a quiet revolution. A call to stop “having” beliefs and start tending the habitats they require.
Grateful to meet your philosophy in the wild. Subscribed.
- Thane
Execution Intelligence - for builders designing systems that move at the speed of soul