It is the idea that humans possess knowledge from past incarnations and that learning consists of rediscovering that knowledge within us. *
In a wider sense, Anamnesis is a key concept in the liturgical theology: in worship the faithful recall God’s saving deeds.[1] This memorial aspect is not simply a passive process but one by which the Christian can actually enter into the Paschal mystery. **
Memorial Day was born out of the Civil War and a desire to honor our dead. It was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.***
Bowen Theory: Multigenerational Transmission Process
We all possess learned behaviors that have been taught to us knowingly and unknowingly through multiple generations. Response to these emotional triggers results in less differentiation of self. Observing these patterns allows us to make good decisions staying true to our basic self.****
Remembering Applied to Leadership
Now, having said all that in quotes, our memory of our past is an integral part of who we are as leaders. We are formed by our family or origin and our decisions are shaped by how we understand and utilize these memories. Science has shown that we inherit the DNA from multiple generations. The theory developed by Murray Bowen consists of 8 concepts, one of which is the Multigenerational Transmission Process quoted above.
As the anamnesis in Christian worship is our remembering God’s work with humankind throughout multiple generations, telling and listening to stories of our ancestors reminds us of who we are as individuals. We are shaped by our past, but not bound by our past. Ineffective leaders give excuses of how they were taught, or how they were wounded by parents, or how they were deprived as children, or some other non-reason for justifying behaviors and decisions. Those leaders are fused to their parents, grandparents, siblings, or spouses and are limited in making decisions because of that fusion.
The differentiated leader is not fused and has clear guiding principles that are informed by the past, relevant to the present, and provide for a better future.
Today is Memorial Day. It’s a day of remembering for our country. It’s a day for honoring those who have died protecting our freedom.
I’m remembering those fallen soldiers. I’m remembering my baptism and am grateful. I’m remembering the people who have trusted in me when I was nothing but potential. I’m remembering the lessons from things I tried that didn’t work.
It’s more than the remembering, however. It’s what I do with what I remember and not being bound to the past. I’m informed by the past.
What memories guide your decision making?
Attributions:
* Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamnesis_(philosophy)
** Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamnesis_(Christianity)
*** History of Memorial Day http://www.usmemorialday.org/?page_id=2
**** The Bowen Center http://www.thebowencenter.org/pages/conceptmtp.html
Hugh Ballou
The Transformational Leadership Strategist TM
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