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LEARNING
(K) 1987 by Jehana.
Disseminate freely if copied in entirity
The learning process can be examined as a three-tiered model (remembering
that, as always, the map is almost always not the territory). The three tiers
I shall examine are:
* Absorption
* Integration
* Expression
For any reasonable approximation of full and complete learning to have
occurred, all three stages are necessary. One might argue that there are
different types of learning, and that each of these types have their own
requirements; or that science must be learned differently than philosophy, but
I think there are fundamental similarities governing the learning of all types
of things -- the emphasis and mechanisms may change, but the underlying
principles apparently remain.
Absorption is the act of taking the external and bringing it into the
internal. Absorption may involve the cramming of information for final exams;
it may involve the day-to-day experiences of life; it may involve the
shattering emotional impact of traumas. However, this emotional impact is not
reacted to at this stage of the learning process. Absorption is the coming
aware of information, whether for short or long term, from the whole body of
constant information bombarding the physical senses at all times. Not all
that is witnessed or studied becomes absorbed -- the human mind needs a
filtering agent.
Integration is an internal process, where the knowledge recently gained
is integrated with what is already in the mind. No mind ever starts out as a
vacuum, despite the efforts of generic television to assume this. Not all
that is absorbed is integrated -- that which falls into short-term memory is
not; nor is material that is studied simply to know for the knowing's sake. A
deep and thourough internal integration of material is not necessary in all
fields of study, although to some extent this takes place in all devotees of a
subject, whether it be mathematics, engineering, art, or philosophy. This
integration leaves its touches upon the person, and will affect his/her
filtering for material to absorb in the future. Be advised that some
integration is voluntary; while other integration is involuntary. The actual
process of integration bears no relation to what Other People Are Doing
(although one may integrate a dependency upon others, for instance.) A
conscious awareness of integration is fostered in the study of certain
religious paths (such as the Craft) and in many of the philosophies, as well
as in many of the arts. The necessity for the stage of integration is one
reason why the learning of anything of internal value generally takes time
-- there are no Instant Philosophies which work.
Expression is essential for communication. It is a step shallowly
expressed in the regurgitation of information on a quickly-studied exam, but
when dealing with philosopy, art, or livelihood, it should be of more durable
quality -- in other words, expression should be tempered with the fires of
Integration. Expression may be involuntary (the fright reaction from a
phobia), or it may be voluntary -- but the most fervent Expression is rooted
within the internal regions of the being, and is not the shallow sort of
expression related to acting the way other people expect you to act; for
simply the purpose of scratching that itch of satisfaction (gaining or giving
satisfaction). The most useful forms of Expression occur in taking that
information which one has both Absorbed and Integrated, and then Expressing
it. However, needless to say, some forms of Expression (ie, phobias) may be
well-integrated and absorbed, but are counterproductive to happiness. The
true conscious learner must therefore take a hand in what he/she decides to
learn/unlearn (the steps involved in the process of Unlearning are the same as
those in the process of Learning.)
*Absorption and Expression without Integration is mindless and empty
reading/living. One may as well be a parrot. Absorption and Integration
without Expression is hypocritical and/or schitzophrenic.
*Integration and Expression without Absorption permits no external
influences to have any bearing on thought -- one may as well be autistic.
*Expression without Absorption encourages fallacies, untruths, and easy
answers.