I had to lurk on this topic as I could not handle the mail. I have read
through the contribution to this thread, noted the change in the subject
title etc. I am in agreement with the views that have been shared in this
list. I would like to join in with my contribution to this thread.
I found the theory on learning organisation useful to persue the type of
work I am entrusted with. The concepts have made sense to me and to my
work. They have also confirmed a few practices I have experienced leaders
I have worked with have used. This has helped me learn about LO.
I am theist. As a devote Christian in a secular country, I have come to
accept the reality of the diversity of religion. The differences between
religions, to me seem to be mostly in beliefs on Salvation. In practice,
all religions appear to help the respective believers in their trials and
tribulations of life, formation of their values etc. I have also noticed
that within the Christian Church, affiliation to a denomination shapes and
forms the individuals culture, which is different from growing with and in
another denomination.
My own development, therefore, is unique as every individuals is. Since I
claim to be a devout Christian, my personal vision would be as close to my
ability to understand the vision of Jesus Christ for mankind and this
world. The LO theory does not contradict that vision, but appears to
contribute to that vision without the trapping of affiliation to Jesus
Christ as a neccessary condition to move towards that vision. In other
words, in a secular world, it makes it easier to work together towards a
common goal, by a means that does not contradict my own values. I am sure
Jesus did not want to be a block to his vision for this world, but 'the
way'. In my own little way I may contribute. God also uses others to meet
that end. Any way that is my belief, others have a right to their beliefs.
As long as each one of us is in persuit of truth, I think we are all in
the same boat.
LO is not an end in itself. It is a set of tools. All tools and
inventions are, I believe, permitted by God. But the most important of
Gods tools is the individual who uses these tools. I have come across
these tools of the LO because of probably the phenomnon of synchronicity
spelled out so well in the book "Hero Within" by Carol Pearson.
Using the disciplines of LO, I believe would be helpful in whatever
vocation one is. If for instance, the Church of England or the Church of
South India were to use the principles of LO in their organisation, I
think the church would differ in the way they would respond to its members
and society.(Please note, this does not mean they are not. Unknowingly,
they probably are using the LO principles). As Carol(from this list) had
pointed out to me, Mahatma Gandhi was a systems thinker. His strategies
for India's freedom struggle eminated from, I believe, the practice of
Learning disciplines - not because he knew about it, but that we may learn
from him! and yet he was not the only one or the last one. Martin Luther
King was another. They were politicians, deeply religious and so on.
I thus submit that being spiritual or religious is one thing. To use the
disciplines of LO is a personal choice. They are distinct, not
contradictory but complimentary.
[Thomas P=B]
--"Thomas P Benjamin" <BENJAMIN@anand.nddb.ernet.in>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>