Quantum Physics Parable

In This Bloutcher
Where Art, Life and Leadership Collide

• Quantum Physics Parable
• Announcements

1. Clicking
2. Awakened Leadership; Beyond Self Mastery

Quantum Physics Parable
I've been reading about quantum physics.  Please note I said "about" not "in."  I have only the most rudimentary introduction to this fascinating and discombobulating science.

I first got interested in quantum physics through Joseph Jaworski's wonderful book Synchronicity; The Inner Path of Leadership in which he introduced the thinking of physicist David Bohm (1917-1992.) I subsequently--back in 2001/2002--read Bohm's The Undivided Universe (1995) and more recently On Creativity (2004.)

Bohm makes me realize how great science and great art are truly kindred enterprises.

Here are five important ideas of quantum physics.  You can find these on Wikepedia.  They also echo the writings of Bohm.  I believe that each one of these ideas is also true of creativity and the imagination.  I have placed creativity/imagination in parenthesis as a stand-in for the word/idea that comes before it to illustrate the point.

1. Energy (creativity) is not continuous, but comes in small but discreet units.
2. The elementary particles (of creativity) behave both like particles and like waves.
3. The movement of these particles (of creativity) is inherently random.
4. It is impossible to know both the position and the momentum of a particle (of creativity) at the same time.
5. The atomic (creative/imagining) world is nothing like the world we live in.

So what can we take away from David Bohm and these ideas?

• We think we know but we don't.
• Our world of perceptions and "knowing" is less than half the story.
• There are great, untapped possibilities beyond our current awareness. 
• We are each part of a whole rather than a discreet and separate entity.
• Creativity and imagination are about connecting to this wholeness.
• We can experience the experience of wholeness but we cannot know it.
• Therefore, our journey of seeking will never end.

Implications:

• For Leadership:  Embedded in quantum physics is the dynamic reality that just when you think you've got it, you don't.  How does a leader respond to such moments in their organizations and their strategy?  How does a leader lead in such moments?
• For Creativity:  Science will never be able to fully understand creativity. As Paul Cezanne put it:  "Painting is damned difficult--you always think you've got it, but you haven't."  How do you continue to create knowing what you create will never be enough?
• For Life:  There is no such thing as stasis.  As Estragon laments in Waiting for Godot:  "I can't go on like this" to which his companion Vladimir responds:  "That's what you think."  There is no rest for the weary.  We are all endless seekers.

Here is a short parable:
There was once a very sad frog.  So sad he could not stop croaking at the moon.
A hungry fox heard the frog's lament and suggested,
"Listen frog, you sound so distressed you should allow me to eat you for dinner so I can mercifully end your misery."
The frog agreed and closed his eyes for one final croak.
Then the fox walked away.
Moral of the story:  Sometimes nature isn't what it appears to be.
Quantum physics wrote this parable.
And that's the key to creativity.

Here's a photo of quantum physics at work:

Announcements:

• How do you describe the wonderful stories in Karen Mandell's book Clicking?  The characters are familiar (as in your neighbor) yet quirky (just like your neighbor.)  The stories are uplifting but not sappy.  The writing is wonderfully textured.  But perhaps the best way to describe the book is, as one reviewer put it:  "These are not love stories.  They're soon-to-be love stories."  Now that's an original concept.  A soon-to-be love story book!  To order click here.
• Alan Shelton has written an intriguing book Awakened Leadership; Beyond Self Mastery about his personal journey from successful business-first senior executive (CEO, entrepreneur) to spiritual seeker for greater truths and ultimately to an "awakened leader."  Alan was referred to me by a mutual friend and we had a chance to chat the other week.  I came away impressed by his down to earth wisdom, hearty laughter and story telling acumen.  In the book, Alan chronicles his journey and along the way shares valuable and poignant lessons for life and leadership.  If you are on a journey for greater meaning or are an organizational leader who thinks there is more to it all, then Alan's book may be just the right cup of tea at the right time.  To order a copy of Alan's book click here.