Creating Systems of Learning

The Work That Reconnects Network and Capra Course have begun an exciting partnership which will allow the sharing of resources across the communities. Our intention with this partnership is to deepen our interpersonal relationships in the Network, learn about the vast subject of Systems Theory together, and develop an integrated curriculum combining WTR and our learnings from the Capra Course.

If you want to go fast, go alone. 

If you want to go far, go together.

I’ve always liked this common proverb. Not only because it highlights the need for community, and it doesn’t fully demonize the path of isolation. The quote acknowledges that there are, indeed, certain things best done alone. Walks immersed in the laps of nature, reading, time spent in self-introspection – to start naming a few activities that can be fine-tuned by solitude.

I used to think that deep learning was one of them.

My experience in formal education has been turbulent at best. I attended three fairly reputed schools in Calcutta and Hyderabad, India. I experienced all schools through the lens of compromise. If I made friends in one place, I would be neglected by the educators. If a teacher saw promise in me, my peers wouldn’t. It was a delicate balance, until it wasn’t, and soon, my faith in a traditional education system flew out the window. 

And, thankfully, it flew back in after a few years!

One of the greatest joys of agency is to be able to create the systems that work for you. When it came to absorbing information and being able to articulate my understandings, traditional ways of sitting still with textbooks, storing information and not sharing my thoughts, and regurgitating facts onto a sheet of paper twice a year every year fell short, to say the least.

When I began preparing for the WTR – Capra Course Integration Project, I was nervous. I pored over Fritjof Capra’s books, bought highlighters and started looking for relevant content to supplement the material. I was worried that I would be ‘falling behind’ as usual.

To my utmost joy, our global cohort is settling into a rhythm of our own, and a system of learning and sharing materials is developing beautifully. Our meetings often start with participants claiming they didn’t understand the coursework, which is often quite scientific for our WTR sensibilities. But over a series of integrating conversations, we soon realize that not only are we understanding the work, but we are able to correlate these concepts with our everyday personal and professional lives – and most profoundly, with our facilitation of WTR. By listening to each other’s sharings, not only are we granted a window into their world, we are also offered different perspectives into the same material. And, of course, perhaps most importantly — it is fun.

It is so much fun to be able to give my brain a workout with my colleagues and friends from within and beyond the Network. It is fun to struggle over a concept by myself, and then hear it explained in a simple manner. It is a whole lot of fun to be able to arrive at ‘aha!’ moments with a group of people. I am grateful for this rewarding and self-affirming system of learning, and the opportunity to educate myself in Systems Thinking from Fritjof Capra himself!

Our delightful group will be collaborating on offering WTR-focused study groups for participants of Capra Course beginning in February 2025. It is a wonderful opportunity for facilitators of the Work to deepen their understanding of Systems Theory and to create mutually beneficial relationships within the Network.

I look forward to seeing our connections and creations as a cohort over the next year; to meeting more people from around the world through the Network; and to add more colour to the glorious rainbow that is the Great Turning.