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Welcome!
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This Website
Ideas Emerge
A fundamental premise of this website is that new understanding emerges in language from the tension between opposing ideas. Self / Systems
The core set of oppositional ideas that permeates my thinking and writing is the one between the conceptualization of the Self as a distinct and singular entity, and Systems theory, which posits that the self exists only as a function of the systems that create and maintain it. |
Arches
A profound metaphor from the physical world for the Self/System dynamic, is the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages that exemplify this dynamic of tension and its resolution in a concrete and beautiful way. The tall and massive stones remain standing—and have for centuries—supporting the structure, which then allows the beauty of the arches and the delicate light to emerge through the stained glass windows at the top. |
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What's new
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Projects
Currently I have three projects going, all based fundamentally in the self-systems framework which I have created for the further development of Bowen theory, including my Mag/Min model. The energy and momentum evident in these efforts reflects the dynamic named in the title of this website - “Emergent Ideas.”
1. Podcasts I am beginning to record conversations with next generation colleagues (previous students, supervisees and clients) to present my “legacy,” which refers to the seminal ideas I have developed over the course of my career. This format allows me to present the ideas as a set of conversations, instead of essays or chapters in a book. Check the Podcasts page (under Projects) on this website for information about these podcasts as they become available. 2. Purpose Planning Institute (PPI) I have increasingly discovered and developed my niche in this organization, which is a community of like-minded financial advisors in their humanistic vision of conserving wealth for the benefit of everyone in society. I have become the leader in their efforts to understand Bowen theory, and how to use it in their practice of financial advising, and their own personal development. PPI has been on my homepage for several years with the recorded interviews of Mag/Min and Bowen theory by the PPI founder, John A Warnick. My investment has now become significant enough to create a separate PPI page on this website (under Projects). Check this page for two new podcasts of interviews about Bowen theory. 3. Mag/Min Sequel The next step in the development of my model of Mag/Min is this sequel, which is organized around the new concept of Core Rationale, It identifies the basic assumptions a person holds as they make decisions and behave as a Magnfier or Minifier. The work on this project (currently delayed) will be presented under the Books page. |
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My Book
One of the concrete manifestations of ideas that have emerged over the years is my book Mag or Min: Which Are You? While it is available on Amazon, you can still read a synopsis on the Book page in this site. You will also find a FAQ page there which helps clarify misunderstandings about the basic concepts. Having a grasp of the major ideas in the book provides a way to make more sense of the essays on the site overall.
You can also listen to an interview on Mag/Min I did with John A Warnick, founder of the Purposeful Planning Institute, on the PPI page of audio files. My PPI Audio Interviews |