The Value Return Paradigm is useful in situations where we feel we need to limit the complexity or hazard that we are managing, such as undergoing training in return for learning a new skill or opening a savings account as a safe way to generate a little income.

Developmental—building systems-thinking skills and personal mastery Essence sourced—based on what makes every person or living thing specific and singular Regenerative—committed to realizing the evolutionary potential of life Grounded—based on the idea that we can transform our world by transforming the roles we play in our lives

At its worst, it can become coercive, with practitioners attempting to convert their listeners by convincing, persuading, influencing, or even conquering them for their own good. This is one of the reasons that do-gooders can become annoying or even alienating.

The Regenerate Life Paradigm focuses on how to build the capacity in people and other living systems to be self-determining in the world. At this level, we make a profound shift in perspective. We commit to seeking what’s essential in each person and every sort of thing that is the subject of our work.

The irony is that when we are in this situation, we become victims of our own lack of perspective. We can see the merits of our own point of view, but we struggle to understand and accept the merits of the opposition’s.

The non-heroic path seeks a way to create profound and enduring change, not through large-scale movements or fighting the good fight, but by enabling people to transform themselves.

philosopher Arthur Young, founder of the Institute for the Study of Consciousness in Berkeley.

For me, frameworks provide a structure that can help me manage all of the different dimensions and complexities of whatever I’m working on.

“Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard …. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.”