The Human as a Weaver of Part to Part: 5. A Sense of Play

Aviv Shahar with Theodora Papanastasatou, Dr. Alan Litchfield, Dina Richardson, Elizabeth Lyell, Robin Charlton, and Kyriaki Nikandrou

September 23, 2021
a sense of play

We have reached the realization in this conversation that we humans can choose to weave part to part based on our values, based on what we care for, and care about, based on what we hold precious, and perhaps even sacred.

Each one of us is a walking tapestry of potential; when we interact with another human being in a conversation, that person can trigger, or open up, a new aspect of our unique possibility.

This entire exploration is in the Portal we call Becoming Human. We are discovering increasingly how, by sensing into our capacity to connect, to bridge, to integrate, and to listen we can discover new ways to express our individual universe into the greater universe.

In this series, Aviv Shahar and a global group of "weavers" with varied academic, professional and life backgrounds, bring together the hidden threads and themes behind new possibilities emerging across all aspects of human experience.

There is, inside our brain, or mind, this web of interconnected things, experiences, things that we have learned, images, words. I was wondering whether there is also around us such a web, because it's interesting that a lot of inventions have been invented, simultaneously, in different places.

Kyriaki Nikandrou

Dr. Alan Litchfield

Dr. Alan Litchfield

Being born with an intense curiosity about the world and at the same time confused by contradictions and unexplained patterns in society has led to a restless life of seeking and searching, penetrating into the purposes and reasons of existence throughout material and subtle worlds.

Also, this is expressed through the philosophy of science and the philosophy of technology in which there are enduring questions about the relationship between what people have expressed of themselves and created, what they thought would be the outcomes, what we all have to show for it, and what are the opportunities for betterment.

Elizabeth Lyell

Elizabeth Lyell

Early on, I wondered what I was doing here, in a body on a planet! It seemed good, yet strange. While I enjoyed people, I was particularly fascinated by the animals, all the way from the tiny (ladybugs) to the large (elephants). I longed to be able to converse with them. My (ingenious) efforts toward making this happen were probably my first spiritually oriented forays!

Since then, I’ve worked with humans in different capacities (teaching philosophy, and now in working as a counselor). I’ve learned a lot about the mind and the heart. I now know that while good reasoning is essential, the heart has its reasons, which reason does not know (Blaise Pascal)! Life’s mysteries still fascinate and astound me… while I continue to ask, why are we here?!

Kyriaki Nikandrou

Kyriaki Nikandrou

When I was a child, staring at the starry night skies, I was filled with awe and wonder, about the mysteries of the Universe, Life, Time, the Human and its place in the Cosmos, trying to connect the dots that link everything with everything…

Some years down the line, I still do. I am seeking to be in conversation with others in search for keys, for tools of understanding and application and for the real questions, the ones that become portals to contemplative journeys, leading to uncharted territories that feel like home.

I believe we are on a trajectory of multiple and unpredictable changes; it is up to each one of us to rise to the challenge of our times. Now, more than ever before, is the time to be true to ourselves and fulfill our potential.

Aviv Shahar

Aviv Shahar

Aviv is the Founder of Aviv Consulting, helping leaders unleash strategic innovation, and is the author of Create New Futures: How Leaders Produce Breakthroughs and Transform the World Through Conversation.