Polarity Dynamics is a term I coined for what I consider to be an essential field of study at this moment of our history. Polarity Dynamics is concerned with the interplay and interaction within polarity itself, and the role it plays in the formation of our perception and understanding of the world in which we live, both on a personal and a social level, as well as its physical and non-physical dimensions.

I feel a better understanding of polarity is so critical at this time because the way we presently deal with the world is in crisis, and polarity is at the core of this dilemma. Our current interpretation of the world is determined by linear thinking, which in turn is based on duality, the simplest form of polarity. This works fairly well in depicting and understanding the physical world, the world we perceive through our senses. But this is also where its limits are, in terms of its accuracy. The use of terms such as subjective/objective, positive/negative, etc., confines our thinking to the linear, and our understanding of the world is reduced accordingly. Much of the world is left out, including significant dimensions or aspects of the biological realm of the living, as well as the inner world of our thoughts, ideas, feelings, emotions, desires, hopes, and so on, not to mention our spiritual dimensions.

A more inclusive picture of the world will be based on what I call a new "cognitive framework". A cognitive framework is what we use to make sense of – or give meaning to – our sensations, i.e. what comes through our senses. Our present cognitive framework structures things according to time and space and is governed by duality and linear thinking. It has helped us enormously to make sense of the physical world as consisting of discreet and separate objects. But this physical approach is outdated, and for the new world (or quantum world) we now find ourselves entering, our new picture of this world will be both separate from, and also interact with the so-called reality which it depicts. To be effective, a new cognitive framework will have to satisfy these conditions.

We are moving out of a world where the observer and doer is separate from the observed and what is "acted upon". The independence and separateness we had and experienced is rapidly changing to one of interdependence and interconnection. The Newtonian world of classical physics is giving way to a world of Quantum Mechanics where the observer interacts with the observed, and the "acted upon" acts upon the one who acts. The nature of this new world is ecological and dynamic – alive rather than static.

The best tool we have developed so far in trying to understand the world is the scientific method. This tool needs to have much of the world frozen in order for our cognitive structure to be able to handle it. Although it has given us much in the past in terms of furthering our understanding and control, its limitations and consequences are no longer acceptable and we are forced to seek a structure or framework that embraces a larger world. Since our present structure is based on polarity, a clear understanding of polarity is essential in a quest to achieve or develop this new framework.

A better grasp of polarity can offer us a better and firmer foundation for our thinking, one that both mirrors and interacts with the larger world. This will have the effect of reducing the distinction between observer and observed, and also the detrimental consequenses of the way we have been interacting with the world.

In my estimation, we have yet to attain a clear, working understanding of polarity. This website is a beginning effort to make a difference in this regard. It is hoped that this difference can make a difference in the way we relate to the world and to each other.

Please note that this website is in process of development and some of its pages may undergo further elaboration. It is presently organized as follows:

• Introduction


• Polarity Analysis. A number of themes, aspects or dimensions of polarity are covered under the following headings. Although these are distinct and will be treated separately, they are very much interconnected.
  • Duality
  • Nested Polarity
  • Reflexive Polarity or Self-Reference
  • Paradox
  
  
• Polarity Synthesis. In and of themselves, the above forms of polarity provide a formidable challenge for us to understand and integrate them. Polarity Dynamics incorporates the following approaches and studies:
  • Vertical & Horizontal Polarity
  • Xenn Polarity
  • Trinity Cycle
  
  
• Applications of Polarity Dynamics
  • Unity / Diversity
  • Both-And / Either-Or
  • Subjective / Objective