PROCESS 8 Collective - Regenerative

"We speak of atoms and atoms organizing into molecules, and molecules into cells, and cells being organized into the organs and structures of organisms, which come together in systems of organization..."

From this we can say that Power is spread among the smallest units, yet directed by successively larger groups of organization.

"An individual unit can be any Whole which also forms a part of something larger. For example, an atom, a molecule, a cell, an organ, a person, a group of people, a solar system, etc...."

Our body must recognize itself as a collection of parts, each part a Whole, even as the body is but a part of a greater Whole. A body is both complete and yet, helps to complete something more expansive. Ultimately, in this way, All are ONE.

"An organism is an individual unit, composed of an organization of other individual units who have committed to come together in a certain arrangement with certain rules of function. Each internal unit fulfils a specific niche which allows the greater unit to fulfill a greater external niche..."

Though we are individual, we are a collective, and are responsible for how we come together with others and choose to behave. We are accountable for how we direct ourself, how we interact and how we participate in the greater body. At the same time this would seem to bestow the right of Liberty to make any independent choice which, by affect, applies to the individual alone.

"The lifespan of the body is much, much greater the lifespan of the atoms which compose it and make it manifest. Each atom moves through a niche that continues to exist, often for as long as the body exists..."

This is an important consideration. Humans do not thrive when regarded as disposable and replaceable. Most individuals do not want to think of themselves as moving through a collective body and filling a predetermined slot. The answer is found in the necessary balance between the Whole and its parts, when we are dealing with Human-centeric systems.

Only a measured portion of an individual's input is given to fulfilling the role (or roles) necessary to sustain the existence of the Whole, a role which likely continues to exist without bearing on which unique individual actually fulfills it. (Although there can be no denying that the unique nature of an individual adds an individual signature to how, and how well, a role is fulfilled.) These roles represent "needed tasks", necessary for sustaining the standard of function determined by the collective body.

In a collective, needed tasks could be maintained by an electronic "Task Bank", of which there is no deciding head. Individuals, of their own self-governing accord, commit to tasks of varying durations within a system which factors in the priority of a task, and asks the individual to consider both their interests and abilities. In other words, tasks would be "checked out" from the system, completed and then marked as done.

"Each cell, as each cluster of cells, is full of free, uninhibited energy, in pursuit of an Aim."

We have already discussed Circles in brief. A Circle is a semi-autonomous environment within the collective body that can define a unique purpose and aim.

Beyond the collective body identifying the instruments of its ideals by determining specific-yet-broad designations of participation, most Circles are naturally determined, being simply the various environments of activity, defined only for the sake of efficient organization and coordination. Every Circle is empowered to make its own choices, to the extent of not inhibiting any other environment; coordination and decision-making occur by communicating through broader Circles.

Some collective bodies might also produce a simulated Circle, representative of the originating vision and ideals, which is reflective of the Witnessing-Presence.

"Each cell, as each cluster of cells, is required to self-organize, steering its energy to the Aim as quickly and efficiently as possible..."

Self-assembly is the fundamental principle which generates structural organization on all scales, from molecules to galaxies. For example, cellular self-assembly is the assembly of cells without management from an outside source.

Circles replicate this. Every environment/Circle must be self-correcting. And Circles, like people, are self-governing insofar as their decision-making doesn't impact or affect any beyond their own environment.

Many decisions, however, will radiate out to other Circles, requiring interaction. Or a Circle will need to correlate with other Circles to fulfill its, or another environment's, Aims. And so there must be a certain cohesion underlying our ability to change, amend, direct, interact, produce, create, etc.

To accomplish this Circles (excluding those which are living environments such as a family's residence) can apply certain templates yet discussed to manage inflow and outflow and manifest Aims. This information assists in achieving a dynamic model which can responsibly and efficiently correlate and communicate with others while directing itself.

"Cells clearly demonstrate the means and function of bringing Knowledge of the past to bear on the present activities, resulting in increased levels of organization..."

Circles can maintain a memory system for optimization. A memory system might be as simple as a log, but is integral for educating and evolving the future stock of participants.

"As cellular organization becomes more complex and interconnected, a critical point is reached where integrated organization emerges, and the synergistic novelty of the Whole naturally assumes importance..."

 When a Circle initiates change or optimization or any activity which affects other environments, a process is triggered. This is where affected Circles communicate and dialogue until Consenting to conditions in which the desired activity can occur, or reasoning through why it cannot. When a certain determined measure of Circles are affected a matter should be considered to affect the body entire.

"The three primary divisions of life evolved separately, but invented variation by exchanging genes..."

Sharing Knowledge is an important facet of evolution.

Sharing Knowledge can occur internally (i.e. within a settlement) through each Circle's memory system, through dialogue and discussion, and through the willingness to make adjustments to the way things are done based on what previous output has demonstrated.

Sharing Knowledge can occur externally by teaching what we have learned to others, and by establishing a process for communicating, dialoguing, and otherwise assisting and/or exchanging with other embodiments of the Plan.