• Subjective Reality: The Onion Theory of Problem Solving

    by Alexander Becker on September 26, 2006 | Link

    This essay is part of The Subjective Reality Series.

    In order to solve a problem, any problem, it has to be properly assessed and correctly addressed. You first recognize and accept the existence of a conflict, then try to locate and define it as precise as possible and finally you identify and determine the conflicting parts and decide to fix, exchange, or completely remove the offending elements.

    Imagine someone having trouble, dealing with a problem that she doesn't seem to be able to solve on her own. Imagine a second person actively taking part in the conflict by trying to solve the problem. Imagine layers of an onion.

    Now, imagine to be the one to recognize the issues of the first person and the inability of the second person to help the first one. The second one may be the one who theoretically creates the problem in the first place. But now, with your awareness of the situation, you become the next layer.

    Enter the theory of subjective reality and the assumption that there is only one consciousness. The moment you become aware of the first person's problem, you recognize and further manifest the conflict. The awareness shifts to you as the observer and at the same exact moment, you take over responsibility since now, you are conscious consciousness.

    The sole purpose of the second person is the introduction of even more detail and complexity to the problem at hand. It's as if the first person, the originator, isn't capable of expressing and manifesting the whole range and the extent of the conflict on its own, consequently, the second person, the multiplier, adds to and magnifies the expression.

    As a problem situation between two or more people unfolds, the involvement of any additional people -- even in the role of mediators -- adds to the problem in that they become part of it, spreading the conflict sideways, alongside, and parallel to the layers. All these people are detailed expressions, layers of your very conflict.

    By now it is clear that the different layers of the onion are cascading, conflicting thoughts that probably have to be solved in just the right sequence, layer after layer. The question remains, whether there are thoughts which cannot be addressed directly but only and exclusively through the mechanisms and filters and functions of other thoughts.

    • Consciousness is the core.
    • Thoughts make up the layers, stacked on top of each other in a predefined sequence.
    • People represent thoughts.
    • Problems between people represent conflicting thoughts.

    What about ignoring intermediate layers to get right through to the originating ones? Ignorance and denial don't work, for obvious reasons: An existing layer can't be ignored. Every layer or thought acts as a barrier and as a filter. How about removing the apparently superfluous layer then? Turns out that the target layer would be lost as well. Thoughts stick together. The problem sticks to its hosting thought. No ignoring nor removing of layers, once they are introduced and thus involved. Afterall, it is the intermediate layer that the initial one is filtered through which makes the problem visible in the first place. It has to be dealt with since it is the only one that can be dealt with directly. Without this secondary thought, there is no expression of conflict of the primary thought.

    As long as there is only one person dealing with a conflict, only that part of consciousness is affected, the next person entering broadens the impact and eventually alerts and invites another actor, you. As long as there are more and more people involved -- and entangled, -- the conflict, your conflict, has not yet reached its ultimate extent.

    Now, you too are involved and take over the party, since, once the conflict has reached you, you have to deal with it and you alone. Remember, each one of the participants described, is but one of your thoughts. You are consciousness. Release the thoughts and acknowledge the existence of the conflict, deal with it but do not fight it.

    What is the nature of the conflict? Is the problem the problem? A layer between layers? Go back to the beginning and acknowledge and relax and let go. There is no problem. Allocate each thought its discrete layer and assign it enough space to expand and to thrive.

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