I spend a lot of time working in organisations – from small, to very large – whose focus is on organisational change, on change management programs, team development and the like.
One of the things that fascinates me is the interplay between the people with a clear sense of the change in organisations that is required in the organisation, and the responses and reactions to that change.
Some get on board quickly and ‘sign up’, so to speak; some get on board and then drop off; some only become interested in organisational change when enough other people are involved; some fight tooth and nail for what they feel they will lose; some try to ignore the need for change altogether (comfortable that ‘they are doing okay’ and/or ‘it doesn’t apply to them’).
Regardless of the starting positions, a person’s level of willingness to sit with discomfort appears to be the critical attribute. It’s interesting to observe that those who have no interest in any discomfort can cause extreme discomfort in others, all so they can avoid looking at their own way of working, while others see the discomfort as a growth opportunity and find a way to develop from the process.
Of course, there are also the cynics who – after seeing so many failed changes in organisations, or changes that move from one way of working back to another – are soundly (and at times rightly), sceptical of anything new.
When you look at the literature about organisational change, peoples’ varied responses seem to apply regardless of whether you are dealing with a multi-national or small organisation. It was this fact that led me to the possibility that humanity could be the biggest ‘organisation’ on earth.
If you look at humanity as an organisation, it is possible to see all of these same responses and reactions to change in organisations at play.
Like an organisation, the only way we, as humanity, truly develop, is by working together.
The only way we stay viable is by adapting as the external circumstances shift and move – whilst still staying true to what is central and core (organisations would call these values).
Like an organisation, some divisions can form, and different departments can start to think they are more important than the next. Like organisations, humanity sometimes requires a visionary – able to offer an alternative to how life might be.
And like organisations, for every visionary there are those that defend, reject, ignore, challenge, blindly follow, wait for others to join, or just watch cynically from the sidelines hoping for it to pass.
It is fair to say that Serge Benhayon is one such visionary: someone bold enough to present an alternative to the way life is at the moment. However, from the view of someone who has tested the practicality of that vision, it is so very, very normal.
The biggest difference I find with the presentation of ‘The Way of the Livingness’, is that while it presents a possible future for humanity, what is presented is done so in very real and practical terms.
It also doesn’t ask me to ‘believe’ or ‘have faith’ in anything other than the evidence provided by my choices in life.
In that way, ‘The Way of the Livingness’ is not a faith in what might be, but very practical and simple ‘potential’ for how our lives can be right now.
… A life that is more interested in self-responsibility than it is about a grand vision for the future by making a difference in other peoples’ lives. A life that, through self-responsibility, builds a level of vitality that can be of true value to society; a life that understands true change begins with self; a life that reflects true organisational change, and true working together for all…
Starting with self-responsibility allows us to understand what affects us, and what supports us in truth. It also brings awareness and consideration for how we impact others.
By Joel Levin
The Truth about Universal Medicine 
Personal responsibility is key, for ‘if we take responsibility for our choices and their resultant consequences’, what a difference that would make in the world.
I really enjoyed reading this blog. As you point out Joel the organisations within humanity and the organisation of humanity itself is in a real mess as everyone waits for everyone else to step up and do what is needed; getting disgruntled, hard, withdrawn or cynical in the process. The antidote to this is very simple as you also suggest ‘A life that, through self-responsibility, builds a level of vitality that can be of true value to society; a life that understands true change begins with self; a life that reflects true organisational change, and true working together for all…’ when we take responsibility for self the rest starts to take care of itself…
Actually Joel is it possible that ‘The way of The livingness’ shows us how we have lost trust or faith in ourselves and through the practical workshops and presentation of Universal Medicine our trust and or faith in ourselves is restored as we reconnect back to what we actually know to be true.
It is a fascinating insight into human beings and how we respond or react to change and it’s possible discomfort. I can see the correlation between an organisation and humanity, how we embed ourselves into comfort together, establish norms, complain things are not working then do little to change. That’s what I love about the Way of the Livingness, it offers such a tremendous roadmap out of the comfort and back into responsibility, and the impetus for change comes from within.
I can so so so relate to this. The way you describe these varying degrees of our interest and acceptance towards change in an organisation is just spot-on, and the general feeling that I am getting is that arrogance that says ‘I don’t care’. We are so masterful at justifying our own standing point and pointing our finger at each other and say ‘You fix it’ or ‘It’s your fault’, that it is always someone else who is pulling us all back – but is that so? I sometimes find it frustrating and even unfair, but the truth is we are all in this together and no one can leave anyone behind and the learning for all is that everything we do affects everyone and when we willingly accept that design, everything we do becomes service, that we are ultimately here to serve and support one another, that there is a humongous interdependence at play.
How can we know that something is harmful if we have not experienced it ourselves? How can we know the power of something healing if we have not experienced it ourselves? We only know how horrible it is to judge another when we’ve felt the horribleness of judging ourselves just like we’re only able to care for another when we have first cared for ourselves.
Absolutely Viktoria, starting with our way of bringing decency and respect to our own lives so we can take the same considerations to others, but as you have shared we have to feather our own nest first.
I like that, feather our own nest, it’s only logical to take care of our lives first before we can help take care of others. Because how can a dysfunctional person truly help another?
All the masters of wisdom place the body first and foremost to understand how healing can take place when the feathers are ruffled so we can leave the nest and share with the most Loving responsibility what it is like to fly and belong to a True-flock!
It does start with self first, whether it be caring for self, nurturing or loving ourselves, we are unable to truly care for another until we can care for ourselves.
Taking responsibility for ourselves while working in harmony with others is the way for humanity to return to truth. Simple really.
“The biggest difference I find with the presentation of ‘The Way of the Livingness’, is that while it presents a possible future for humanity, what is presented is done so in very real and practical terms.It also doesn’t ask me to ‘believe’ or ‘have faith’ in anything other than the evidence provided by my choices in life.”
Surely this is true evidence based science? And not the one that is currently being touted by the scientists of the day that have to what appears to me to be a hidden agenda, of trying to control science because they have a piece of paper that says they are a scientist, and therefore know better than anybody else. This is what I love about ‘The way of The livingness’ we are our own scientists working out life by our choices and not by what has been dictated to us.
Nothing is ever the same so really change is constant. We can get so comfortable however, that this can often mean more than what may be necessary. No surprises that we can fight change.
Working in a big organisation, I see regularly the challenges we face when change is introduced. We have seen so many changes, increasing of late that we seem to have change fatigue well and truly set in. It’s interesting too that levels of management have established specialists to manage change. We like to think that we can control everything in life, but the reality is that we have no control over anything, other than what we choose in any moment.
‘Starting with self-responsibility allows us to understand what affects us, and what supports us in truth. It also brings awareness and consideration for how we impact others.’ I can certainly see how I’ve lived has often been so self-absorbed that I’ve not seen beyond my needs. I can also feel this in others and have an understanding of them because of how I’ve been. In the past it would have been a my needs versus theirs, a battle of right and wrong of who was more deserving and a sadness that neither party would be ok. Now this isn’t there which is amazing.
Bringing in self-responsibility is something that I feel should be taught and lived by all of us from day one.
It’s important to appreciate how much is offered by living in this way to everyone around you and even beyond. So much is possible when we surrender to what is next rather than having a picture of what you want to be next.
A great point, surrendering to what is next, rather than imposing a picture or ideal of how we want things to be.
“… ‘The Way of the Livingness’, is that while it presents a possible future for humanity…” Very real and tangible for everyone who choose to live it now as it is equally possible for everyone. Hence the future is already here and is only referred to as ‘future’ as we commonly understand it, as long as we make ‘not yet’ our respective choices.
Anything we do is always so much easier when we do it together.
So true. No more lone wolfing for me!
‘If you look at humanity as an organisation, it is possible to see all of these same responses and reactions to change in organisations at play.’ Absolutely because all organisations are a microcosm of the macrocosm and of course if we don’t deal with or are not willing to look at our hurts, fears, patterns, beliefs, ways of coping, being bullied, bullying, lack of self worth, not truly valuing ourselves or another, relationships, power games etc then this is going to play out in the work place.
“Starting with self-responsibility allows us to understand what affects us, and what supports us in truth. It also brings awareness and consideration for how we impact others.”
Hear hear, and so this is the very foundation in which we can truly bring around change.
When we work together as one unit something huge gets activated both within us and between us.
I can feel this in my whole body – the potential is almost limitless.
There is a learning to work together in harmony and brotherhood.
There are no differences to changing organizations as to change humanity as a whole. In that sense, it would be also interesting to see companies arise that make it about people first, make it about love first, truly serving society. Humanity would greatly benefit from companies like that, where there are a few on this planet already.
And there are staff who serve humanity, many in our history and many currently.
Organisations will be forced to change the more we change.
What I love about what you share Joel is the fact that as an organisation the only way it can truly work is if ALL members of the organisation pull their weight and are equally valued and appreciated. We ALL have a responsibility to this earth and the universe as a whole and it only serves the level of comfort we have settled for to think that separation is even remotely ok.
Absolutely Elizabeth well said – in love we are all equal and with this quality lived we set the standards that are in respect for all, in honour of the love we know we all are in essence
When we live in connection to love, guided by our love within, we naturally live for the all as in essence we are all love, as such no real effort is required other than surrendering to our responsibility to live in honor of our love, as it is our love lived that represents and reflects the love of us all.
“Like an organisation, the only way we, as humanity, truly develop, is by working together.” Absolutely and we need to realise that every choice we make affects not only us but everyone else too.
Taking responsibility for our own lives lets us see all the choices they make and the impact on our health, wellbeing and vitality. Every moment is another opportunity to make wise and responsible choices to take care of ourselves and ensure we’re always ready for whatever is next.
Being responsible for our movements and the energy we allow to run our bodies, has a knock on effect for the choices made, which in turn affects everyone around.