Xenn Polarity

Our cognition, which includes awareness, knowledge and understanding, is based on what might be called our cognitive framework. This is the framework or structure of reality we have formed from what we receive through our senses in order to make sense of this reality. The one we presently use was formulated primarily from our awareness of the physical world. It in turn is based on duality, giving concepts like hot/cold, far/near, tall/short, rough/smooth. Even Aristotle talked about this, but Aristotle is the one who was behind the concept of "a or not-a", the groundwork of what is called Aristotelian logic. We have refined this somewhat by adding what we sometimes call a "middle ground", which is like adding grey to black/white. This has helped to a great degree.

When we apply this cognitive framework to non-physical things like feelings, ideas, emotions, thoughts and such, that's a totally different landscape, and we leave out a wide spectrum of that reality. Unfortunately, so much is left out that our understanding and communication about it often breaks down. This landscape is much more complex than the physical one and so using our old system causes us to function here in a clumsy way. We need a different cognitive framework to see clearly here. Even with the addition of a grey "middle ground", our understanding and use of polarity does not adequately fulfill the role of accurately understanding and depicting it. Using a linear understanding of opposites gives a very rough picture of what exists or is going on in that landscape.

Xenn Polarity takes that middle ground and takes it to the next step by breaking linear polarity down into further polarities, i.e. applying polarity to itself. I like to think that it breaks the space between black and white down into the different colors rather than grey. With Xenn Polarity we can achieve greater clarity and better understand non-physical things because the framework we are using corresponds much better to the structure of the relationships between things within that realm. More than that, in that realm we are getting away from things themselves and moving more toward qualities and energies, which is partly why a linear approach to polarity soon breaks down and does not give us a clear and adequate picture of what is going on there.

Another way to look at Xenn Polarity is that the greater clarity it offers is provided by the use of two interlinked dualities, which is able to depict reality with much greater resolution. The difference is staggering. It is like painting a picture using a fine brush instead of using a paint roller normally used for house painting. The picture we now get lifts a veil from our eyes and reveals much that was not seen before. Using only one duality to form our perception of the world leaves us to see only half the world. Another person who bases his or her perceptions on the complementary duality constructs a totally different world or reality. This can result in much disagreement, possibly conflict, as to what is real and what isn't. To make things more complicated, the double duality can support more than just two realities, making the situation next to impossible to sort out without an understanding of Xenn Polarity.

I have coined the word "Xenn" from three sources. It is a take-off on the term "Venn Diagram" which is found in mathematics in working with set theory. This diagram is composed of two intersecting circles, which creates a common area between them. It is often used to try and explain the connection between polarities but in my opinion generally leads to much confusion. What is missing is an unknown "X" factor which I have incorporated both in this way of dealing with polarity as well as in its name. Thirdly its pronunciation is similar to "Zen". In my university studies I was introduced to the particle/wave theory of matter, and for something to be both a particle and a wave is logically impossible. Yet results from scientific experiments unequivocally show this to be true. This came to be my personal Zen koan which I have grappled with since then. It was one of the initial motivators behind what is now emerging as Polarity Dynamics.

Xenn Polarity helps us to distinguish between what I call "different differences". One type of difference is such that in their present state or condition these differences (i.e. these particular aspects or qualities) are unwilling to cooperate or collaborate with other differences. As such these differences can only engender animosity. Even though they are part of the whole, the whole cannot come together because of their presence. On the other hand, the other type of difference is willing or able to cooperate with the other parts of the whole to create harmony and effectiveness.

If one part of a person's reality is uncooperative, it is for all intents and purposes stuck in its place and nothing can change. This is generally because it feels threatened, and sometimes it needs to stay in one place. But if this condition persists, some intervention is required for a change to occur. This is best done by motivation from within and can sometimes be facilitated by a person with sensitive listening skills who is able to elicit the other person's own resources. A stuckness that does not change can create significant difficulties, both for the person involved and also for those connected with him or her.

Xenn Polarity also demonstrates the existence of different types of polarities, including opposites, polar opposites, complementaries, and others. Being able to distinguish these helps to clear up confusion in communication and perception.

Xenn Polarity can be applied to many areas because it deals primarily with polarities in a world that goes beyond the inanimate and physical, the realm of ecology, ideas, feelings, relationships, etc., etc. Areas include:
-- politics, with polarities having to do with freedom, democracy, rights, control, and many others.
-- psychology, working with concepts of self, society, dependency, boundaries, as well as feelings and emotions such as guilt, etc.
-- religion, with the many polarities both within a religion as well as between them.
-- ecology, biology, interaction and communication.
-- all humanities.

Although the specifics of Xenn Polarity are presently not offered on this website, one area that will be looked at in further detail here will be the polarities of unity and diversity in the dynamics of a group. A synopsis of this web page is given below.

The formation of groups and communities is presently based on what its members hold in common. When differences start to emerge, this can create a crisis which often marks the beginning of the end of the group. If there is no clear understanding of how to deal with the differences that will inevitably emerge, the result is often dysfunction and eventual dissolution. Polarity Dynamics provides a new cognitive framework that offers a solid foundation for the formation of groups by discerning and managing differences, and expanding the concept of common ground. As such it enables and supports the presence of both unity and diversity in a group.