The Field Effects of Our Every Action and Thought

A process for comprehensive consideration of all that we say, think and do…

Our intention in all of the work we do, both myself through the Positive Deviant site, and the work at The Constellation , is to awaken to and illuminate the field effects, from the very subtle to the overt. This enables us to navigate the complexities of the world and life with greater elegance while being more conscious of natural design principles.

Part 1. Awaken to and illumination of the field effects

The following is intended to help support the awakening of people to the field effects (FE) of their every action and thought.

If we drop a very small pebble into a pond, ripples will go out from where we dropped the pebble, no matter how small or large the pebble, or how large or small the pond. These ripples have an effect on the whole dynamic of the pond, whether we like it or not. Therefore, to be truly conscious and responsible for all our thoughts and actions, we need to consider with exquisite care, the effect of our thoughts and actions. What effects will our ripples have on the fish in the pond, on the retaining wall, on the growth of the lily pads and other vegetation? What effects will they have on the animals that drink from the pond, the people who fish in the pond, and the people who buy the fish, eat the fish, or come to the pond to contemplate their future?

The history of humanity is littered with examples of how we have not considered the F.E. of our thoughts and actions.As the movie Blood Diamond highlighted, to wear a beautiful diamond on our hand is no longer an innocent action. What is the real cost of this diamond? From the diamond's formation, to its mining, to who mined it, and under what circumstances was it mined and at what cost…human, land, nation, soul? What is the entire chain and pathway to my hand, the buyer, the seller, the next buyer, the diamond cutter? Awakening to the field effect means applying greater consideration to the whole; the impacts of what we do.

We are now living the consequences of our thinking that has been until this time, focused on an outcome with little or no consideration of the field effects. The people of the Maldives Islands, for example, have contributed little to the planet's carbon emissions. Yet their entire country is under threat from rising sea levels, while other countries enjoy all the other wonderful choices we have as ‘developed’ nations and economies. We are part of an interconnected planet, so we can no longer afford to ignore the field effects of our actions. The butterfly fluttering its wings in the Amazon can indeed cause a typhoon in Asia. Each and every one of us is the butterfly. How are we fluttering our wings? With consciousness, consideration, care and reverence for all of life? Are we being comprehensively considerate?

Anger about the blood diamond is acceptable, but if my anger moves to action, it is important that I pause and consider what action I take? And what are the field effects of that action? My action may be to resort to an open expression of anger, such as taking up a fight with the mine managers. Or my anger may move me to create a petition, or even better, a movie with a major star to play the lead role, outlining the story of the Blood Diamonds.

Here in lies the recursive nature intrinsic within comprehensive consideration of our F.E. My anger may move me closer or further away from care and consideration of the whole, and the healthy flow of all of life. Which path will I choose? And when we design programs and events, are we also considering the field effects in all aspects of our design?

Bucky Fuller used a similar model, which he described as precession. Often he would say that man’s side effect was nature’s main effect.

This article was created as a result of a conversation with David Martin, Laurent Labourmene and Christine McDougall on the 28th August, 2009. Dr. David Martin coined the term field effect to describe the process outlined above, and Christine wrote the article with his collaboration, to capture the essence of what he described.