The cognitive dimension
How do we choose a direction when several possibilities are available to us?
The cognitive dimension allows the system to observe, understand and orient itself towards the possibilities that present themselves to it.
Every human being constantly receives information from their environment, their history, their body, and their emotions.
The cognitive dimension is the space in which this information can be observed, organized, and interpreted.
It allows, in particular:
• to learn
• to understand
• to anticipate
• to imagine
• to choose
• to guide the action
It primarily answers the question:
"What becomes possible?"
Left axis ↔ right
The cognitive dimension is organized around a balance between two complementary poles.
LEFT
The left pole contributes to:
• analyze
• structure
• sequence
• organize
It helps the system to make sense of the information received.
RIGHT
The legal department contributes to:
• perceive globally
• connect the elements together
• imagine
• create
• consider new possibilities
It opens up the range of available options.
When these two poles collaborate, the system can both understand a situation and consider different trajectories of evolution.
The intention phase
The cognitive dimension is particularly involved in the intention phase.
It is often there that an idea, a direction, or a possibility appears.
Before a project is built, before an emotion is attached to it, and before an action is carried out, the system must be able to perceive that change is possible.
Cognition plays a part in this initial opening.
Possible imbalances
Like any dimension, cognition can lose its balance.
Excessive cognition
The system remains primarily in the analysis phase.
We sometimes observe:
• overanalysis
• the need to understand before acting
• excessive control
• constant anticipation
• difficulty taking action
The future is imagined but struggles to materialize.
Cognitive deficit
The system struggles to organize the information.
We observe more frequently:
• confusion
• dispersion
• difficulty in choosing
• lack of direction
• persistent hesitation
The possibilities exist but remain difficult to identify or structure.
One dimension among others
Understanding alone is not always enough to transform a situation.
A person can perfectly understand what they are experiencing without being able to change their experience.
For a change to be fully integrated, the signal must also pass through the emotional and physical dimensions.
Cognition allows us to open up a possible future.
It often constitutes the first step in the movement.
Seeing a possibility is often the first step in any transformation.