Essence and Polystasis
In essence, Essence is about going deep. It concerns setting aside the peripheral and the noise in order to find that which is pure, unadulterated and indispensable. We are searching throughout our life for the essence of this life (its ultimate meaning and purpose). We are engaged in the act of appreciation—looking for that which is eternally fulfilling. We wish to catch ourselves “doing it right [correctly, ethically, effectively].” This search for the Essence that resides in any system, is particularly important with regard to the process of Polystasis. This is a process that I have introduced in this series of essay.
As I have noted in previous essays, we need to set the baseline as guide for predictions and actions in the dynamic and ever-changing way in which we seek to understand and work within our VUCA-Plus world. In the midst of this world, we find volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, turbulence and contradictions. It is easy when faced with these challenging conditions to be whipsawed and subsequently lost regarding our own identity and the “true” nature of this world. Our search for and appreciation of the Essence to be found in this world—or in some segment of this world—is critical for this sense of Essence provided the anchor point for our sense of self and of our world.
Let me offer a bit more detail regarding this novel concept of Polystasis. As I noted in my first essay on Essentials (Bergquist, 2020) this word to designate the multiple functions being engaged by complex human systems. It is not simply a matter of returning to an established baseline of functioning (homeostasis) when considering how actions get planned and taken in a human system. In Plans and the Structure of Behavior, George Miller, Eugene Galanter and Karl Pribram (1960) described the dynamic way in which we are guided by a reiterative process of acting, testing, modifying and reengaging our behavior.
They presented a T.O.T.E. (test-operate-test-exit) process that is repeatedly engaged as we navigate our world. As is the case with T.O.T.E, Polystasis blends the concept of statics (stabilizing structures) with the concept of dynamics (adaptive processes). Operating in human systems, we are guided by certain core outcomes that do not readily change (statics); however, we must also be open to modifying these guiding outcomes as conditions in our environment change. The static notion of homeostasis is not appropriate—especially in our VUCA-Plus environment.
The Polystasis model incorporates three processes. First, there is Appraisal. As Peter Sterling (2020) has noted, there is an ongoing need to monitor the environment in which we are operating to determine if a new baseline of functioning (outcomes) is required. We informally or formally predict the probability that our current desired baseline of functioning can be achieved or even if it is desirable. As Miller, Galanter and Pribram suggest, we Test out (appraise) the current stasis. Second, we Adjust if the current baseline of desired functioning is no longer appropriate. We identify a new level of functioning. An alternative baseline is identified based on predictions regarding probability of being successful in achieving this baseline. Miller, Galanter and Pribram propose that we are Operating (Adjusting) when we establish a new stasis.
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