Group and Self

Esoteric to Exoteric: You may want to consider this post a contemplation.

                Many of us seem to know more about group than we know about self. We seem to have plenty of room to learn more about both group and self.

                One of the prime injunctions of wisdom teachings has been "Know thyself." Learning seems to often be prior to knowing. Some wisdom teaching suggests that learning may be a prime purpose of being.

                Surely an important part of being, includes learning. Learning about the world around us seems an important move toward self knowledge. I believe that learning about groups is an important part of learning about the world around us. 

                My experience informs me that there are qualities of learning. Before going on you may want to consider the quality of your recent learning. 

                Participation in a group is a learning experience. That learning and that experience will be of varying quality. Much of such learning can lead to knowledge of self. Some groups are more interesting  and useful than others. Some groups may be better for you than those which seems to suit your present personality.

                    Most groups are likely to be much more transitory than is personality, but many of them last long enough to prove useful to their members. A significant number of them last long enough to become a sort of school of their members. 

                A high level of regular participation by members has been important for a group's effectiveness and longevity.  We may call an effective and long lived group an organization. In such an organization it may b vital that each member know that she(or he)has an important job or place in it. Being a practicing participatory democracy tends to increase the level of group participation.

                You can consider joining or forming a group.  You may find power and growth in a group.

To analyze your organization, to know it(and yourself)better, and to participate more effectively in it, you and a friend may take some of the actions suggested below:
~ Find out who has the authority to implement your organizational plans.
~ Know the action plan for for the long range funding of your organization.
~ Find out who is involved in developing your strategic plan.
~ Know your membership trends.
~ Consider the nature of your organization's benefits.
~ Know who is doing the bulk of the work to accomplish the goals of the organization.
~ Know what people do the work. Where are they? Identify them.
~ Make sure you know the engines of your organization.

You might also look for answers to the following questions about your organization and about your self:
~ What questions do you have about your organization and your membership in it?
~ How will you get answers to those questions?
~ What will you do about your questions and answers?
~ What makes it or you operate
~ What motivates you and other members?

                Enjoy your growing power and that of your organization!
Learn more about you!


                                                                        by Richard Sheehan