The Problem of Tumbling
The Main Issue
The Elders up north where I first worked had an expression for those who made a lateral transfer from what I would call the "horizontal axis" to the "vertical axis" on the angle diagram. That is, they were aware of the disorienting effect of a change from one's home-base philosophical outlook in life to one unfamiliar to himself or herself. It was a fact that many First Nations people who "went white", white people who "went native", and people from one religious background who "converted" to a different did, in fact "tumble" in their lives. Any major shift in religious or philosophical outlook in people happens slowly if at all, and the effect of a rapid transition is frequently one of taking a "tumble".Deep and significant change can happen in us as people, but it usually happens very slowly. If it happened rapidly, it would be far to disruptive for our communities and us. Our children would come in to us and say, "Well, Dad, what are you really , deeply and truly today?". The Northern Elders said that people often "tumbled" in their lives until they "came home" (or received permission to come home) to the [axis] thought-base within which they were introduced to the world. That is, there is a need for integration of all the various parts of our life-journeys.
I believe what The Elders might also be referring to the phenomenon of culture shock - reentry shock in their use of the concept of "tumbling", as it often accompanies a transition from one culture or sub-culture to another. It can be devastating to an individual. Culture shock can be experienced by any individuals who cross boundaries of groups, regardless of their reasons for doing so. However, not all people who cross cultural boundaries go through the experience. The same may well be true of what is referred to on the reserve as "tumbling". Perhaps not everyone making such transitions in life go through it. Nevertheless, the phenomenon is quite common.
Helping To Resolve The "Tumble" Problem In People's Lives
When helping people deal with the tumble problem, I have started to use the angle diagram to ask some simple questions:Those questions, asked in the context of the angle diagram, usually are sufficient to change the framing of the person's situation. The questions give the person permission to own his or her past, and work towards an integration of their present and hoped-for future. It also allows the person to place other members of his or her community on the "angle diagram map" and allow them space to do their own journeys.
- "If Christ was fully developed spiritually and fully developed humanly, where would you put him on that graph? (top right).
- Where do you think he is calling us to live? (full spiritual and human maturity).
- It seems to me, that does not call for a vertical or horizontal trajectory, but rather a diagonal one. Lets look at how that might be done in your life. Beginning from the axis where you started out in your life journey, draw me a map of your of where you have been, where you are now and where you might like to go.
One tool I have now added to assist in this discourse with people who are "tumbling", is the Wish List Instrument. It is not useful in every situation, but it certainly is a gentle way into the issue with some people.
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