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Chaos, Coaching & Therapy Part 1
Solutions for Complex Problems © Martyn Carruthers 2002-2010

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Chaos, complexity and catastrophe theories are sciences of relationships that provide models which can regenerate relationship coaching, counseling and therapy. Our systems approach to consciousness applies these models to human identity, values, beliefs and behavior.

We help people renew their experience of self, simultaneously changing limiting beliefs and dependent behavior. Instead of trying to change life according to some egotistic, dogmatic or statistical model, systemic solutions helps people live with integrity.

Continued in Chaos Coaching - Part 2
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Chaos in Coaching & Counseling

For millennia, our ancestors pondered the creation of order. They created simple stories to describe the emergence of stable systems from chaos. These early descriptions comprise primitive chaos theories that eventually lead to quantum thinking and systems theory.

In the 14th century, William of Occam criticized people who created complex explanations for simple phenomena, saying "Do not multiply entities needlessly". This Occam's Razor, helped people "cut" through complex theories. In the 20th century, Albert Einstein updated this, saying, "Make everything as simple as possible - but not simpler".

Classical physics was based on beliefs in deterministic, time-reversible descriptions of Nature, and lacks distinctions between past and future. Although such a universe would be ruled by deterministic laws, our macroscopic world is not reversible. (This was ancient Greek Epicurus' dilemma of being and becoming, an idea that chance allows flexibility rather than rigid predetermination.)

Chaos theory can be applied to human relationship systems such as families and teams. The emerging field of systemic coaching provides massive insight into the behavior of individuals in human systems. Applications of chaos theory in the social sciences can unite physical, emotional, mental and spiritual realities - if (and only if) we can let go of classical, pre-systemic notions.

The behavior of complex systems is not truly random, rather the final state is so sensitive to the initial conditions that it is impossible to predict the future behavior of a complex system without infinite knowledge of all motions and energies (i.e. the "Butterfly Effect" postulates that a butterfly in South America might influence storms in the North Atlantic).

Poincaré's perceptions are relevant to human goals in human systems. Civilizations rise and fall, but never in the same way twice. Minor experiences of individual people can result in unpredictable changes the world. Remember the childhood story ... for the want of a nail ... a kingdom can be lost.

Lies, Damned Lies & Statistics

Before chaos theory, scientists could not analyze complex systems, and could not predict complex behavior, even with detailed knowledge. To avoid complexity, scientists assumed that behavior in complex systems was linear, and used statistical analysis to assess and predict the behavior of populations. In a pre-systemic world, individual contributions to population statistics are ignored.

If individual excellence is smeared across populations,
then social sciences are (by definition) sciences of mediocrity.

If human systems were linear, babies could smoothly transform into adults; businesses could easily change from making candles to making computers; and countries could gently shift from fascist to democracy. Periods of chaos are normal in living systems. During chaotic times, unexpected opportunities compete for survival in changing environments. Order within Chaos: fractal by Martyn Carruthers 2003

Assumptions of linearity and an obsession with statistics provided scientists with temporary patches until the discovery of universal properties of non-linear, complex systems. But classical assumptions are still used to blur individual expertise across human populations. The sciences of human behavior, which could become our greatest human achievement, remain dull, weak and manipulative.

Temporary statistical patches, like temporary taxes, dominate social scientists. Yet individual human excellence can be modeled and replicated with Expert Modeling, a basis of Systemic Solutions. See also Quantum Thinking.

The I of Identity

Your subjective experience of your objective reality - your semantic "map of the world" - your answer to the question "Who am I?" is reflected in your behavior. Your every action is a hologram of your life and reflects your perception of reality - hence your perceptions are largely bounded by your past actions. You live in a phase space.

Without the need to solve complex problems, there might be no human personality. There might be many bodies, and no reason to label individuals. A bee-hive society would lack a phase space in which individual differences are important. And it would lack the ability to choose its own future.

Your behavior is predictable within the limits imposed by your perception of your environment. No matter how much you think, you are unlikely to leave the safety of your thoughts. You stay within the confines of your beliefs. Your beliefs act as attractors of your attention and your possible actions.

As complex systems are now modeled with computers, chaos theory is widely applied in technology. This is largely ignored by social scientists and helping professionals, for whom complexity remains hidden under pre-systemic assumptions of linearity and obsessions with statistics. Agents of change often resist change.

Phase Transitions at the Edge of Chaos

You can adapt to your environment and to changing conditions within limits. Yet, like all self-organizing systems, you are on the edge of chaos - close to a phase transition in which either you or your environment change in ways that you cannot control ... and perhaps in ways that you cannot survive.

The edge of chaos is a critical point of a system. During a phase transition or crisis, minute changes can either tip the system into chaotic behavior or into stability. During a crisis, tiny details from your past or present can have enormous and statistically unpredictable impact on your future.

Crisis provides motivation - not just for you to change - but for you to transform. During a crisis, you may surprise everybody, including yourself, with solutions that shorten or prolong your survival.

Chaos Coaching

We help motivated adults experience integrity - by exploring their personal realities to find the most profound sense of self. This journey often leads to a series of unusual experiences - we often refer to them as ecstatic states.

At the edge of chaos, when little makes sense and everything is possible, miracles can happen. But hoping for a miracle rarely ensures survival. Survival requires endurance, a benefactor or transformation - a change in identity that helps you identify and manifest previously unimaginable solutions.

An edge of chaos perspective can be empowering. We coach motivated adults to create perturbations - imbalances which can bring them back into balance. With our chaos coaching we can help motivated adults explore the cutting edge of reality ... and the edge of chaos ... where people can restructure their identities and find systemic solutions for complex problems ...

Chaos Coaching - Part 2

Plagiarism is theft. Copyright © Martyn Carruthers 1996-2010 All rights reserved. Soulwork Systemic Coaching was primarily developed by Martyn Carruthers. We help people define and achieve goals, resolve emotional blocks and improve relationships. This information is for general knowledge only. Consult a physician about medical conditions and before changing any medical treatment. Don't steal ... ask Martyn for permission to post or publish his work.