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integral ennui

Posted November 25th, 2009 by Brett Bourne

 As I become accustomed to and take on more integral perspectives, I have moments of what I am calling integral ennui.

In short, as I understand deeper and deeper levels of complexity and inter-relationship in all holons, the enormities of the challenges we face, mostly the collective ones, climate change, war, incumbent power structures, money gone amuck (we know what they are) overtake me.

Thankfully, to paraphrase Buckminster Fuller, these moments come to pass, not to stay.

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I share your pain

Posted December 17th, 2009 by Topher Hunt

I can identify with being "overtaken" and overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenges the world faces, Brett. And we are supposedly part of the wave of leaders who are going to rein all of this in... whaaat? Really?

At the same time, I don't know if I get your full point. Why use the word "ennui"?

The feeling that I can relate to feels more like paralyzed panic: there's so much to do, it's terrifying to try to start on anything. And yet I feel mandated to keep learning, keep growing, keep engaging these challenges...

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why the word?

Posted January 4th, 2010 by Brett Bourne in response to I share your pain

the word "ennui" for me has a connotation which make it an appropriate word choice, I think: awareness touched with a tinge of sadness

the dictionary definitions I looked at leave me thinking that I have not made such a good choice OR those definitions are a bit anemic - the strength of the synonym "boredom" doesn't do it for me; disengagement perhaps, but disengagement based on previously full and varied engagement and the thoughts and feelings that arise, not disinterested boredom

I also think of ennui as a momentary, fleeting feeling; as in a wave of appreciation for the enormity of challenges which make me tired just thinking about them, as I rededicate my attention and energies to the work

and I may simply have misused poetic license

thanks for your comments - Brett