Chapter 7

<p>In this chapter, we explore systems thinking. All living beings live in interconnected and interdependent ways. We impact and are impacted by every other living thing within these systems. Our systems intelligence is our awareness of our shared interdependence and our ability to act based on this awareness. When we deepen our understanding of the interdependent nature of life, we begin to understand kindness, compassion, and good intention in a more realistic manner. Being a systems thinker requires discernment. Discernment is the capacity to anticipate the impact of our actions. Discernment consists of the ability to assess and respond to different and changing factors to maximize benefit and minimize harm. This chapter helps students grapple with issues of complexity so they can better understand themselves and world around them. Through this understanding students gain the capacity to engage more skillfully in our application of compassion. </p><p> </p><p>Chapter 7 of the curriculum fosters the competency of appreciating interdependence by focusing on systems and systems thinking. The topics covered in previous chapters have prepared students to become systems thinkers. In Chapter 1, students drew an interdependence web, showing how many things are connected to a single item or event. Chapters 3 and 4 explored how emotions arise from causes and are contextual and what it takes for an emotional spark to escalate into a raging fire, thus affecting everything around it. In Chapters 5 and 6, students explored identity, forgiveness, and compassion for others. Therefore, systems thinking has been built into the entire curriculum, but in this chapter, it is approached directly and explicitly.</p>