The process described below was used over the course of two days in Harzgerode and started on 2017-03-13.
Participants: Paul Free, Laurina, Matthias Larisch, Janina Abels, Bodhi Neiser
Contents:
Paul suggested that every participant first thinks about the question "What motivates/drives me?" for themselves to come up with several key words or phrases and write them down on little pieces of paper. Those should then be placed together on a big sheet, following a semantic order to organically form a cluster of similar contents. The group agreed to use this process.
The next proposed step was for everyone to indicate their approval to the mentioned motivations by drawing 0 to 5 circles on the respective pieces of paper, or an X for resistance/incomprehension. This was accepted as well.
Then we discussed how to form the individual clusters, which would then be addressed in more detail - really talking in-depth about every single motivation written down. To do that we used the following guiding questions:
We started in the middle of the sheet and worked our way clockwise to the upper left corner. In the process we changed the locations of some cards, since the meaning of the topics written down became clearer and made replacement necessary. The picture on which the following list is based was taken after finishing the process. These are the clusters and individual motivations on the sheet:
Monday 2017-03-13
First Paul, who wrote this card, put emphasis on the difference between collaboration and cooperation:
Collaboration implies a shared vision, a connection on the level of conviction and values, while cooperation does not. |
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How to reach collaboration?
Card by Matthias.
A pleasant communal spirit, born from interpersonally expressed appreciation and supportive acts of friendship. |
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How to strenghthen an atmosphere of support and social warmth?
Card by Janina.
Appreciation from others for things that I do, say or stand for. It needs to show that the one recognizing me actually took the time to engage with what (s)he says to recognize, otherwise it's superficial and cannot count as motivation. |
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How to support social recognition?
Card by Janina.
The negative perspective to 'social recognition': Motivation via the internalized idea others might have. |
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How to handle social pressure?
Card by Matthias.
The nice feeling it gives, when I see that my work enhanced the joy of other people. It's not necessary for them to know that it was me, who did the good thing. |
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This was the last card we discussed that day, mainly because the 'how' lead us to different questions of morality, namely:
Paul and Laurina advanced the view that easing suffering is always more important than raising joy, because e.g. inviting a hundred sufficiently nourished people to a fancy restaunrant, instead of providing one starving person with a decent meal is of no value or logic to them.
Matthias, Janina and Bodhi found it untrue to dismiss the value of raising joy in general, since it can have lots of indirect implications and this one example is too simple to display them all. There are many ways to do good in the world, and surely, easing suffering is a very important one of them (!), but what if that's just not what motivates me..?
Laurina suggested to get exposed to real suffering to sensitize oneself to it. That would surely raise motivation to get active in that regard... She explained that we have a special position in this world, being citizens of a stable and powerful state, being highly educated and having so much privilege in general, that allows us to think deeply about who we are and what we want to do, that we need to use this gift to help change the world for real. "If we don't do it, who will?"
Janina likes the spirit, but can't help but see it as youthful enthusiasm sometimes (even though she does understand its significance some other times). She shared how she just lost the big belief in the possibility to change how the entire world works in one lifetime and how that made her resign and aim for smaller, more tangible goals instead.
Matthias added that it's not even his goal to attack the general world order and that he just wants to offer alternative lifestyles to people instead, to which Paul replied that it's not possible to offer a true alternative inside the system. He explained that if an alternative approach gets too successful it will face resistance from the current system and if it sticks to the law it will be either slowly but steadily assimilated (by obeying to one order after the other, all of them seemingly little but adding onto each other) or eradicated, if the decision to disobey is made too late and thus not sufficiently prepared. Matthias and Bodhi expressed disbelief in the severity the state would react with. They both believe that the German law is something that can grant security, if applied right. A perspective, which Paul and Laurina firmly rejected.
Tuesday 2017-03-14
Cards by Matthias and Bodhi.
Action, that serves the purpose of reaching a goal. Something, that makes sense, because it has significance. |
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How to make actions purposeful?
Card by Bodhi.
The basal motivation to satisfy the bodily needs of food, water and shelter. |
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How to handle basic needs?
Card by Laurina.
The perspective, that everything can be interesting, if one has a certain access to it. The hope to encounter or the active search for new experiences and ideas. |
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How to support learning and curiosity?
Card by Janina.
The mental orgasm, that comes with an epiphany. The moment, when you suddenly understand, when your horizon broadens and a relation suddenly makes sense. |
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How to enable people to have real insights?
Card by Matthias.
Engaging with your areas of interest. Applying knowledge to solve problems and thus meeting challenges. |
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How to support interest-driven action?
Card by Paul.
Freedom #1: Individual freedom. Ability to do what you want, without restrictions. The deep realization that everythig is possible and that you don't need to justify your actions for anybody else than yourself. Freedom #2: Collective freedom. The understanding that your personal freedom is dependent on your surroundings and that it only grows together with the freedom of everyone. The deep realization that taking on responsibility is what strengthens your freedom. |
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How to reach freedom #1?
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How to reach freedom #2?
Card by Bodhi.
The freedom that arises from not needing much. |
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How to support the reduction of needs?
Card by Laurina.
Laurina flow: A deep certainty to be on the right track, that sparks a feeling of interconnectivity with basically everything. Butze flow: The pleasant process of things getting done, without having them planned; simply because things fall into place, opportunities arise and people join in. Energized focus: The mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed, so that everything comes naturally and progress is easy. |
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How to support flow?
Card by Laurina.
Profound love. The clam but still buzzing happiness, that makes everything look beautiful and feel good. Not necessarily sparked by or directed at a person. |
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How to encourage love?
Card by Janina.
Fun, happiness, joy - a good feeling that makes you want to continue with what you're doing. |
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How to integrate fun?
Card by Paul.
Being aware of one's surroundings and behave in a considerate manner. |
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How to strenghten mindfulness?
Card by Paul.
Sleep, relaxation, regeneration: Everything that restores physical and mental energy. |
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How to ensure rest?