In the Pragmatic Schematic (PS) below, four phrases commonly expressed — I Need, I Want, I Can, I Am — are correlated with three phases of increasing complexity of collectives on the physical plane: Parts, Particularity, Participation; and the fourth term, I Am, is correlated with the transcendent Parturient that operates beyond the physical plane.
When we are in the state of “I Need” we unconsciously receive/Pull Parts to replenish resources. And, at the other extreme, when we are in the state of “I Can”, we consciously extend/Push in Participation with others, offering whatever exceeds our basic requirements and reserves for the future.
Between the youthful Dependent in the left crescent and the mature Dependable in the right crescent, the teen, who craves Independence, is sometimes Dependent and sometimes Dependable (a little of both).
The three phases, Dependent, Independent, and Dependable are correlated with the aspects of ourselves known as physical, emotional, and mental.
We have:
- physical Needs for Survival,
- emotional Wants for Satisfaction, and
- mental Capacities to Save for the future, to Solve problems, and to Serve others.
Beyond the triad of terms, I Need, I Want, I Can, and located outside the PS, is the spiritual Interdependent, the “I Am”, who proficiently Self-Succeeds and provides continuity/persistence of Pattern through re-creation.
These four typically misappropriated phrases, I need – I want – I can – I am, are our most compelling prayers. To learn how vital verbiage produces personal empowerment, go to Overcoming the Otherwise, which also can be accessed under the masthead tab Practical Perspectives.
To further broaden the concepts of these four phases, which are active in singular lives, as well as in society collectively, watch Imago and the Image of God, a three part video (each under 15 minutes) that employs the metaphor of metamorphosis in its teachings. This video program is also found under the masthead tab Presentations.
Thank you for sharing this work!
I’ve recently dreamt of the quaternity and this has sparked a lot of research and curiosity around the subject💖