The Coherence Matrix
The Coherence System was developed out of over 7 years of research dedicated to the human experience. Throughout history, human beings have been continually drawn to the same unanswerable questions. Why? And why have these questions been explored through similar means across cultures: philosophy, politics, art, health, religion, and community.
What do these topics share? Where do they come from? And why are we all inextricably linked through them? If all of life points to the same thing, what is that thing?
We may not be able to answer the questions of human existence, but we can explore the space between ourselves with curiosity and live within the paradox. In living in the paradox I believe we can find Coherence, but in order to understand what it means to live a Coherent life, we need to understand the aspects that make up Coherence.
WHY is The Cohere Collective?
Primary Relationships
All human beings start with three Primary Relationships: one to Self, one to Other, and one to Source. While none of these Relationships are particularly easy to define, the relationship to Self is perhaps the most accessible. We all exist solely inside of our own heads and we are the only person we will consistently live with for our whole lives. Further than this, when you think of who you are, how much of that person exists within your own mind or in the minds of other people?
The Relationship to Other is surprisingly complicated. While it may seem self explanatory that we are in relationship to one another, we are also constantly duped into thinking that the relationship with other is different than the Relationship to Self, and vice versa.
The Relationship to Source is perhaps the most investigated but also the most personal. What do you believe is y(our) origin? What does it have to do with a higher power? And what does that mean for how you live your life?
Secondary Relationships
In addition to the three Primary Relationships, there exists a secondary set of Relationships that arises in the interplay between each Primary Relationship. Between Self and Other we find Space, between Other and Source we find Philosophy, and between Source and Self we find Purpose.
Between who we are and who others are, Space arises. Of course this seems obvious, but acknowledging the Space is important to our relationships and self identity. Each of us has been given a small infinity to live within in, no more, no less. But what is the quality of these little infinities? When you think of belittlement, or bullying, or even full on oppression, these all have a similar effect: making the victim feel small. Their Space has been violently revoked. And when we feel empowerment, belonging, or celebration of the self, we are able to breathe in to the fullness of our Space.
In between Others and Source is Philosophy. When you think of your Values and the way that you live your life, it is deeply dependent upon your relationship to a higher power (or lack thereof) and any consequential beliefs, and your impact on other people.
The final Secondary Relationship is Purpose which arises between Self and Source. When you think about the reason you are here – spiritual or not – it will always relate to y(our) roots. Y(our) origin. This speaks to a spectrum of things including science, metaphysics, and spirituality, but it must include both introspection and a relationship to space-time.
Relating Relationships
When we layer the Primary and Secondary Relationships on top of each other, we can begin to see a sequence of sacred geometry form. The Coherence Matrix gives each of the Relationships a hexagon which forms a ring of hexagons around the central concept of Coherence. These 6 main Relationships are the 6 Pillars of Coherence.
Each of these Pillars are extremely ephemeral concepts that we all have very specific engagement with. This is why Self is the first Pillar of Coherence: it’s where it all begins. As the Matrix forms, it is important to keep and eye towards the way we each personally define these concepts, and how the concepts overlap, exist in tension, and play with one another.
Manifestation
When I use the word “manifest” here, I am not using it an a “New Age” sense, but in the more original sense of, “how something is brought to bear in reality.”
While each of these immaterial concepts are important, Coherence arises in the bridge between ephemeral concept and lived principle. When we pair the Primary and Secondary Relationship concepts with practical action, we get the main lived aspects of Coherence: Wellbeing, Mystery, Community, Values, Justice, and Creativity.
Each of these lived aspects have been assigned a symbol within The Coherence Matrix for visual representation and ease of communication, as shown in the diagram on the left.
Cyclical Inter-Play
The next step of the Coherence Matrix brings back the triangular lines to remind us of the connection between each Pillar and each Manifestation. This reminds us that, even though the Matrix creates a foundation to build from, the foundation itself is requesting interrogation and expansion.
When we are Well, we can better create Community. When we live in a supportive Community, we have more energy to connect to Mystery. When we are connected to Mystery, our Wellbeing improves.
When we understand our Values we can better advocate for Justice. When we advocate for Justice, we are in touch with our Purpose. When we are in touch with our Purpose, we can better identify our Values.
Infinite Expansion
The next step of The Coherence Matrix builds in the expansion inherent in sacred geometry, and life. As we see our Universe consistently evolving and growing, and as we experience the Self consistently evolving and growing, so must the scaffolding we use to Make Meaning evolve. Coherence is not a box to be checked, but a compass to support our journeying; A safe space to curiously explore with wonder as our guide.
This pattern can, of course, continue out ad infinitum. For the sake of exampling this expansive nature of Coherence, we have provided labels for the Tertiary Relationships, but these concepts serve as a nod to infinity, not a call to define every outward movement. We must remember to ground our awe into reality – the challenge of Coherence.
Coherence
A final visual aid attempts to describe the esoteric nature of Coherence in space-time by utilizing Sacred Geometry. This mathematical structure is known as The Fibonacci Sequence and The Golden Ratio. These shapes are an attempt to build the ineffability of The Mystery in to the fiber of The Coherence Matrix. This sequence shows up across our universe; within our atoms and DNA, within sunflowers and honeycombs, within the patterns of our solar system. We are Coherent inside and out, expansive inwardly and outwardly.