Reversal of Oscillation in Action-PH1

The oscillation here seems to be about the locus of control. Do you feel that this action lies within yourself and is initiated at your discretion, or is it dependent on another or generated by something in the environment? Do you have full control over whether or not you act, or is your action provoked or imposed?

This polarization is captured here as:
internal (ODD) v external (EVEN).

Movement-L1

Movements-L1 are naturally produced and controlled internally by your personal volition.

However: If a normally voluntary bodily movement is forced on you by someone or externally imposed by a machine, then this is usually about taking you through a procedure to help you learn or understand something.

Example:

A tennis coach shows you how to hit a forehand by decomposing the stages (readiness, back-swing, hitting, follow-through) and then moving your arm through those stages as they are named. Similarly a yoga teacher in helping you with an asana gives a series of instructions that control what you do with your body to reach the pose.

Conversion: You are still in the realm of Action-PH1, but an externally imposed bodily movement takes the form of a procedure-L2.

Procedure-L2

Procedures-L2 are naturally devised to meet some demand or serve an agreed system and so adherence is controlled externally by whoever has the authority to do so. When following a procedure, you are taking advantage of the work that went into its creation and do not wish to alter it.

However: If you are going to reject external controls and insist on your personal internal decision about the procedure, then you must have a clear image of the exact steps that you are going to be taking.

Example:

When a person makes a complex dive into a pool—including movements like a half-pike, double somersault, full twist—there can be no reference to a manual or assistance from another person during the procedure. All movements need to be internally controlled through awareness of body position and an image of what is required at each stage.

Conversion: Following a procedure that is internally controlled depends on images and visualization-L2 in realm of inner Experience-PH4.

Technique-L3

Techniques-L3 are developed to be internalized as a system for use in specific situations. The decision to activate and use them is yours, and so control is internal.

However: You may allow another to decide what technique is to be used at a particular moment, and let yourself follow their instructions on its application. This external control occurs when there is a need for a particular desirable outcome that is more or less guaranteed by the alien technique.

Example:

A professional singer who does not use amplification will develop a particular technique that determines the projection and quality of sound. However, that singer may have to perform in a hall whose acoustics are very different from what is usual and where amplification is essential. There may then be a need to accept advice and use a different technique in order to produce the desired effect for the audience.

Conversion: Using a technique given externally occurs to produce an optimal outcome or strategic objective-L2, which is in the realm of Purpose-PH6.

Response-L4

Responses-L4 are developed and applied in the face of evolving complex situations. Situations are immensely varied and call for varying responses and so we possess and draw upon a repertoires. Control is located within the situation and so classed as external.

However: If you can sense the determinants of a response coming from within yourself, and occurring even if the situation no longer demands it, then it must be because you believe in its necessity or desirability.

Example:

When China was dealing with the British in the 19th century, they deployed a repertoire of diplomatic responses to handle the demand to open up for free trade. These did not work with the European barbarians who altered tactics and applied a crude imperialistic code based on overwhelming force. The Mandarin regime did not abandon their response because it was based on deep beliefs based on historic experiences of handling intruders. (The absence of a more suitable response meant that the Western forces dominated for decades.)

Conversion: Responding within a repertoire that is internally determined (i.e. not specifically required by a situation) demands Willingness-PH7 in the form of believing-L2.

Intervention-L5

Intervening-L5 is based on a personal appraisal of some complex situation on the basis of your goals and with a view to likely consequences. So the locus of control is internal.

However: If an intervention is forced upon you or you experience it as externally demanded—then it must flow from the way you are conceptualizing the situation. Instead of automatically applying your usual paradigm to govern what you do, you look deeper. You discover that the situation is a paradigm case in a paradigm that you know little about, but which you cannot ignore.

Example:

Doctors intervene to assist patients, but they may find their choice of drug or method of operation is blocked by the hospital system, and they are expected to use a different intervention. On checking further, they find that there is a demand to use the concept of cost-effectiveness if they wish to proceed.

Conversion: Intervention that is externally controlled occurs when applying an alien paradigm to conceptualize-L2 the situation, and this means Inquiry-PH2.

Choice-L6

Choice-L6 is a matter of committing and that is naturally constrained by pressures like personal circumstances, time, opportunity, views of others &c. So although you know it is your choice, the locus of control is experienced as external. (This is one of the arguments against the existence of freedom.)

However: If a choice is internally determined regardless of external pressures, then it must be because you have chosen to make a specific change, i.e. form a state, without much concern for the likely consequences.

Example:

In choice involving career development, the usual factors include existing openings, social pressures, family demands, financial needs and so on. However, if you sense in yourself that you want to escape the rat-race and develop your specific talent (e.g. writing, musical composition), then you will make a choice that forms your career unequivocally, and whose consequences are unpredictable.

Conversion: Choice that is internally determined is formation-L2 within Change-PH3.

Spontaneity-L7

Being spontaneous-L7 is naturally an internal matter because it is a way of being yourself.

However: If spontaneity seems externally controlled because it is a demand from another person or one you impose on yourself, then anything you do becomes a signal that you have accepted that control.

Example:

Spontaneity is required whenever you play a role: whether that is a social role (e.g. wife, Good Samaritan, campaigner) or a role in theatre. By appropriately spontaneous actions in that role, you send an unequivocal message (i.e. a signal) to relevant others that you accept the role.

Conversion: Externally-driven spontaneity is a form of Communication-PH5, specifically a signal-L2.

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Summary of the Results of Forcing a Reversal

L	Entity Name	Oscillation	Conversion on Forcible Reversal
			New Element	Primary Hierarchy
7	Spontaneity	Internal experience	→ signal-L2	in PH5-Communication
6	Choice	External pressures	→ formation-L2	in PH3-Change
5	Intervention	Internal appraisal	→ concept-L2	in PH2-Inquiry
4	Response	External instigation	→ believing-L2	in PH7-Willingness
3	Technique	Internal system	→ strategic objective-L2	in PH6-Purpose
2	Procedure	External demand	→ image-L2	in PH4-Experience
1	Movement (bodily)	Internal volition	→ procedure-L2	in PH1-Action

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• Now consider Inquiry-PH2 in the same way.

Originally posted:  22-May-2013; Last amended: 17-Apr-2015.