Let me say at the outset, that I won’t do justice to the complexities explored in this chapter on quantum physics and quantum field theory. It is above my pay grade. Although, I do know that more and more, as a coach, I urge couples to pay closer attention to The Space Between.
The authors begin this chapter with the following quote:
“We intuit that our collective humanity, and each of its members individually, is on the verge of something big. Something beyond our imagination, which we can dimly but not clearly see. Here is what we think it is.” (p.36)
What is “The Something Big”
So, what is “the something big?” It is the shift to understanding the quantum field as reality and its primary feature as interconnecting. As I said last week, psychotherapy in general, and Imago, in particular, arose in a Newtonian view of the universe. This view of a universe was inhabited by disconnected objects ontologically separated from each other. Over time a more relational view of reality evolved. This amounted to a paradigm shift from an individual paradigm to a relational paradigm.
The authors state: “Paradigm change always includes and transforms the paradigm it replaces. In the shift from the individual to the relational paradigm in psychotherapy, the individual is not negated but is relocated to its relational context from which it is derived and upon which it is dependent.”(p.62)
The Ascendance of Quantum Field Theory
They go on to say: “We view the ascendance of quantum physics to primary status and classical physics to secondary status as a part of the next step in our human social evolution. … Just as Western civilization was built on the model of the autonomous and separate self as foundational reality, a new relationship civilization will be modeled on the quantum view of reality as a network of relationships, an interconnecting whole.” (p.37) and their vision, the something
big they intuit is:
“Just as the features of our individualistic civilization valued competition, control, domination, and winning, the values of the coming relationship civilization will be universal equality, total inclusiveness, and celebration of differences.”(p.63)
Exploring Quantum Physics
For those of you who are up to it, they go into a lengthy exploration of quantum field theory. This theory provides us with a new vision of REALITY. From an Imago perspective, they conclude that “human relationships mirror the principles that operate in the universe as a whole” (p.48). They base Imago‘s theory on 3 fundamental features of the quantum field. These are what scientists understand & apply to Everything There Is.
The three fundamental features of the quantum field are
- Energy
- Consciousness
- Connecting
The Space Between
Your relationship is not just the two of you, but the two of you and the Space Between you. “The Space-Between is not a metaphor or a psychological construct, but a local instance of the quantum field that exists between everything, is in everything, and holds everything together.” (p.55)
“Identifying energy, consciousness, and connecting as the driving principles of life focuses our attention on the central therapeutic concept of Imago. If we are saying that human beings are essentially made of conscious energy and this is the basis that connects us all, … it tells us that the place where these powerful but unseen forces reside is of crucial importance. It tells us that paying attention to the emotional force field that partners generate together is where we should start our work and where change happens.” (p.54)
“What transforms individuals is, ultimately, being present to the other and experiencing connecting in relationship, not attempting to change yourself or the other as individual persons.” (p.53)
Protecting The Space Between
As I said at the start, I know I am not doing justice to the ideas explored in this chapter on the quantum view of reality. On a more practical level, I truly do believe that protecting The Space Between is the fastest way forward for any couple. It is a sacred space, holy ground. You can’t keep putting negativity into The Space Between because negativity causes a disconnect. What your whole being wants is connection.
That is the end of Part 1 of Imago Metatheory. Part two consists of six chapters looking at Imago’s clinical theory, which is really a perspective on the human situation in a quantum universe. I’ll start there next week.
