Meaning-making and Transformation

Tupaia’s map fascinates me. Until recently, some people perceived the map as a hoax and regarded Tupaia, its maker, as a fraud. But, seen through different eyes, with a worldview akin to its maker’s, the map is a work of genius.

Maybe you’ve not heard of Tupaia or his map. So, let’s start at the beginning. Behind this blog and virtually all graphics associated with LifeCalls these days is a map of the Polynesian Islands, an expansive region in the Pacific Ocean. Tupaia’s map visually represents that vast area, its cultures, and the forces of nature as he was taught them by elders of his communities and through his life experiences.

Tupaia, a Tahitian navigator and priest, created this map at the request of then Lieutenant James Cook. It transcribes one worldview to another – Tupaia’s people’s to an European frame.

• Tupaia’s orienting on the open sea using the universe’s constellations with his location at the center could not be seen by Smith who was captive to his north-south paradigm, based on the smaller earth’s polar magnetism.
• Tupaia’s representation of size of the islands appears to represent the importance of the islands’ cultures and resources to his people rather than their geographic size.
• Tupaia’s distance between islands used time rather than distance and visually folded in seasonal wind and tidal currents.

In short, Tupaia’s map had aspects of wisdom beyond Smith’s knowledge, which remained invisible to him. And that which is visible clashed with Smith’s perception of reality.

Why does this fascinate me? Well, I love sailing and warm island ecologies. But there’s far more.

Similar clashes in meaning-making arise in human development. For instance, during the early teen years, conformity to peer pressure becomes far more important to many of us. Shortly before that time, we begin to navigate autonomy from key family members. Both are fraught with troubles – for us and our loved ones.

Yet, development can continue long after we master autonomy and ways to connect with peers. Reinventing ourselves by changing careers, engaging in social change, or semi-retiring…

At those further reaches of our lives, similar discontinuous growth may occur. There, it can feel like one is coming undone, the world we’ve known – vision, values, and actions – cease to have the same meaning. We might even feel like we’re at risk of dying…

What we do there and who we are then MATTERS!

In time, something new may arise – like an island on the horizon. Maybe we yearn for the familiar smell of its flora or the wind dance of its seafaring birds. Or we may be terrified by the unknown.

What we do there and who we are then MATTERS, too!

For years, to varying degrees, I’ve sailed this horizon where the known gives way to the unknown. Where the map, as I know it, ends. I’ve sailed with others who have listened to one another’s deep longing, taught one another their skills, shared their wisdom, comforted and challenged one another with our stories. We’ve co-created what I call an “alternative plausibility structure,” a safe harbor where we can become more fully ourselves. Even when that self exceeds the constraints of the dominant culture.

LifeCalls coaching, spiritual guidance, and communities of practice intend to be like Tupaia and his map. To courageously invite people into new parts of their lives; to employ wisdom to guide our journeys; to call on as much of what we have and yet wish to know experientially.

If you’re on such a journey, what you do now and who we are now MATTERS. Contact us for a complimentary exploratory conversation. n