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The SelfDesign Paragon

- a model for personal excellence

Most people in a schooled society think of learning as something that is a result of being taught. However, we have all marvelled at the incredible mastery of language by virtually every infant, and we engage in many types of learning outside of schooling throughout our lives. It is important to make the different kinds of learning distinct, and the Paragon has been designed to do that. When we are able to distinguish an inner process, we are able to choicefully attend to it and make it more powerful. The above model illustrates eight types of learning that have been identified within SelfDesign, as shaped by Gregory Bateson's four levels of learning (Learning 0-3):

Learning 0, as shown in the center of the Paragon, is not really learning at all. It is the state of being in the present moment and is the ground from which learning grows. This is important because learning is not everything; learning is change and change needs to be referenced to a base state.

Learning 1, learning to learn,is demonstrated in modes 1, 2 and 3. The vast majority of schooling exists only in mode 3. Rote learning is important, yet in context of the 8 other modes we begin to sense the importance of learning as both a living and lifelong process.

Learning 2 , learning about learning, is represented in modes 4, 5 and 6. Mode 4 is the lifelong process of understanding our place and role in the world. Mode 5 is project learning that emerges out of setting goals for ourselves. Mode 6 is a special kind of learning that comes through modeling and working with a mentor.

Learning 3 goes beyond our understanding of how experiential learning works. As Humberto Maturana says, "Love is the only emotion that expands intelligence" . We begin to get an insight within Mode 7; in loving and engaging groups, a special kind of learning emerges that helps us experience being more than who we think we are, creating a kind of synergistic event. Mode 8 arises out of engaging with our life purpose, whatever that may be. It connects us to aspects of understanding and intelligence that are beyond comprehension.

SelfDesign is the art and science of the eight modes of this Paragon.