Transition of Multiplists
The Multiplists can also be gently invited to try on an Essential lens. This might be a lens that helps the Dualist focus on a specific aspect of “real life” that is important to them. For instance, they might focus on their family and its priorities. Rather than accepting the expertise offered by any fancy expert on family relationships, the Multiplist is invited to take on a focused lens of appreciation that enables them to find a time in the life of their own current family (or family of origin) when “they were doing it right.” They become their own “expert”. When has love been effectively expressed in their family through the showing of empathy and support for some member of the family who has been struggling? What about moments of caring (called “bids”) when one member of the family has felt loved and protected by other members (Bergquist, 2023)?
The Multiplist might also (or instead) be invited to put on a lens that expands their vision. Rather than seeking out a specific truth, the multiplist is gently encouraged to see the beauty that is manifest in kaleidoscopic diversity. They attend a lecture where five different versions are offered regarding what their favorite movie is “about.” What might the “force” mean in the Star Wars series? What are the many different strengths (and weaknesses) being portrayed in superhero movies? For those who are not “into” science fiction or action movies, there might be an invitation to explore different ways in which love or grief are expressed in contemporary movies, or ways in which the developmental challenges of adolescents are portrayed. We begin with movies (or TV series or novels) and can then move into real life and reflect on the diverse expressions of one’s own heroism, love, grief, or developmental challenges. Our Multiplist is guided in their transition to Relativism by first engaging a distal perspective (watching a movie or reading a book) and then moving to a proximal perspective (their own life).
A third Essential lens might be offered to the Multiplist. This lens would guide this person toward their own future. The Multiplist is invited to consider what their life might look like 10 years from now—or even 25 years from now. They will be older. The world is likely to look quite a bit different. I often ask someone to imagine looking in a mirror and viewing the person they will be at some point in the future. What would they look life? How would they feel? What health issues might be present?
From this very intimate view of themselves (proximal perspective), I invite my client to consider what the world would look like that surrounded them in the mirror (distal perspective). Other family members? Their work environment? Maybe the state of their community and nation (including where they might be living at this point in the future). This process of “life planning” enables a Multiplist to recognize that they are likely to no longer be the “same person” in the future – yet will retain certain features and beliefs. Their “surface” anchor allows them to drift over time to a new location; however, their ground anchor is there to ensure that they don’t drift too far. For the Multiplist, this means that there can be changing “truths” and “realities” in their own life over time. This, in turn, allows them to accept and appreciate the multiple truths and realities to be found in the heart and mind of other people. Relativism is slowly and caringly introduced.
