During the Psychosynthesis training we had a guest teacher Mark Horowitz. He introduced System Theory that for me was complementary when looking at interaction with others. Psychosynthesis too looks at the whole of us, but it starts from the individual process and when in touch with the core of us our actions are in aligned with life in general.
What is system theory; in short it brings understanding to what is a functional and dysfunctional system; a system being a group (family, groups, organisation..).
In general human systems are created to make life better and are defined by some boundary (for example common purpose).
All of us play a part in human systems where we can create conditions either for well-being or craziness. In these systems the change in one person affects the whole and also the change in the whole system affects all individuals; here we can see how interconnected we are in a system.
What we also need to understand is that the system does take on a life of its own as we emerge with multitude people within the system (or with a system of two participants). We can look at the system like own identity or personality, with own behaviours and conscious and unconscious rules. And these behaviours and rules of the systems can either be Life-affirming (functional) that is supportive and energising or Life-deadening (dysfunctional) that can have low morale and fighting.
Healthy system would be described as a Life-affirming system where the participants are nurtured and while people take care of the wellbeing of the system itself. Life with capital L as Mark defines it to indicate the largest whole and also as he believes this whole to be sacred and mysterious.
In a healthy system there is information flow and all are treated as human beings where individuals can make choices for themselves and for the system as a whole.
Unhealthy system is seen as Life-deadening as it can be destroying individuals aliveness and sense of self. Mark believes that extreme dysfunctional systems can for example include secrecy, isolation, control of members, paranoia and sense of righteousness.
In the dysfunctional forces the aids are: Observing the system as whole, as an entity, the finger pointing to do not serve, but rather seeing how WE all are responsible and start the discussion of what action WE as a system need to take together. Here the individual might also need to create courage to express what is needed from others, what the individual can offer and also expressing who they are (as an expression of Life). Any “feeling like a victim” can work well for the wake-up call for reclaiming one's own power and choice back in any relationship or situation. Individuals also need to see how to express care and love in a way that brings people together. Empathy and compassion for others is also needed but in a way that the individual does not give up their own needs or group’s needs + listening skills in a way that the system can actually learn and grow.
If we get to understand how the human systems work we get to also help these systems to become more Life-affirming. The pitfall of not understanding how the system works, the system can start to take a life of its own and even end up dictating the conditions of our lives.
So coming back to the reminder; in general the purpose of the system was that the system originally is created to make life better.
If you are called to more depths of System Theory + how to communicate in the ststem that brings more love, power and Life, Mark Horowitz has written a book;; “The Dance of WE” ~ “The mindful use of LOVE and POWER in human systems”.
For those called to understand how to express themselves in a system I would also recommend "NVC; Nonviolent Communication - A language of life" by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD. ~ Conscious communication setting principles that support compassion, collaboration, courage and authenticity; increasing meaning, connection and satisfying relationships ~. You can also find a lot of videos in YouTube about NVC.
