Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
#HoldingParadox Philosophy of 'Not One, Not Two' #varela #constellationcognition #beyondbinaries
Diary for Nov 21, viewing paradoxes as portals rather than problems, through the lens of neuroscientist & philosopher Francisco Varela, by philosopher Andrea Hiott. Varela reached a transformative epiphany about the interconnectedness of reality that Andrea finds deeply inspiring and resonant. This delves into how the dualities of life (such as mind and body, individual and society) are not to be solved but held in tension, allowing for a more dynamic and loving existence. Join us as we navigate the 'not one, not two' philosophy and its implications for a multiplicity-oriented and connected understanding of our world.
00:00 Introduction: Beyond Either-Or Thinking
00:12 Francisco Varela's Epiphany
00:49 Paradox as a Portal
01:19 Challenging Dichotomies
03:20 Mind-Body Dualism and Beyond
04:41 Constellation Cybernetics
05:26 The Trap of Polarization
12:56 Varela's Coup Experience
19:55 Holding the Tension
21:08 The Logic of Paradise
25:19 Embracing Love
Evan Thompson on Varela: achrafkassioui.com/library/Evan%20Thompson%20-%20Tribute%20to%20Francisco%20Varela.pdf
Not One Not Two: upaya.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/1976-Varela-Not-One-Not-Two-1.pdf
Audio of Varela: centerforneweconomics.org/envision/legacy/lindisfarne-tapes
Linguistic Bodies: The Continuity between Life and LanguageUnavailable
By Ezequiel A. Di Paolo, Elena Clare Cuffari, Hanne De Jaegher
DOI: doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/11244.001.0001
DISCLAIMER
Educational Content Only: This video is for philosophical exploration and educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice.
Important Notice: The ideas discussed may challenge your current beliefs and worldview. If you experience emotional distress or confusion while watching, please pause and consider speaking with a qualified mental health professional.
No Affiliation: Views expressed are personal opinions and do not represent any institution, organization, or employer.
Fair Use: Any referenced material is used under fair use principles for educational discussion and commentary.
Personal Responsibility: This content does not prescribe any particular way of living. You are responsible for how you interpret and apply these ideas to your own life. The creators assume no liability for any outcomes resulting from your use of this material.
Your Wellbeing Matters: If philosophical inquiry ever feels overwhelming, prioritize your mental health and seek appropriate support.
Paradox is A Portal, Not a Problem: the idea that paradoxes don't need solving; instead, they should be recognized as portals into another way of being. By engaging with the world through holding tensions rather than picking sides, we open ourselves to a richer experience. Instead of seeing conflicts as adversaries to overcome, we could view them as opportunities to deepen our understanding of life's intricate dance. Varela's journey, as illustrated by Hiott, roots itself in a profound moment during political upheaval in Chile, where the notion of fixed oppositions was deeply ingrained. Through this chaos, Varela realized that distinctions like mind versus body, science versus spirituality, and self versus others might actually prevent us from experiencing the full complexity of reality. His idea was not to find definitive answers but to embrace the process of living as an ongoing exploration—dynamic and interconnected. Star Cybernetics: Constellations and Networks: highlights a shift from linear hierarchies to networks of interconnected nodes. This approach acknowledges that every node or aspect of life is part of a larger pattern, which doesn’t reduce into simplistic oppositions but rather thrives in a web of relationships and processes. This non-linear way of understanding mimics a constellation, where each star is distinct yet part of a larger harmonious design. Logic of Paradise: Embracing Collective Processes: Varela wrote about these ideas during a time of personal transformation. In the face of a coup, he was forced to confront the fragility of human constructs and find clarity amidst chaos. Hiott recounts how Varela realized that true understanding comes not from dividing the world into binaries but from recognizing our place within a vast, continuous process. Love, as Varela and Hiott see it, emerges naturally from holding these tensions and appreciating the relational bonds that define our existence.
The "Not One, Not Two" approach does not dilute personal convictions or diminish the importance of standing for one’s beliefs. Instead, it challenges us to engage with the world and its complexities from a place of love and openness. Holding paradoxes allows us to transform adversarial relationships into dance partners, engaging with others not as opponents but as contributors to a shared vibrant reality.
#HoldingParadox Philosophy of 'Not One, Not Two' #varela #constellationcognition #beyondbinaries
Diary for Nov 21, viewing paradoxes as portals rather than problems, through the lens of neuroscientist & philosopher Francisco Varela, by philosopher Andrea Hiott. Varela reached a transformative epiphany about the interconnectedness of reality that Andrea finds deeply inspiring and resonant. This delves into how the dualities of life (such as mind and body, individual and society) are not to be solved but held in tension, allowing for a more dynamic and loving existence. Join us as we navigate the 'not one, not two' philosophy and its implications for a multiplicity-oriented and connected understanding of our world.
00:00 Introduction: Beyond Either-Or Thinking
00:12 Francisco Varela's Epiphany
00:49 Paradox as a Portal
01:19 Challenging Dichotomies
03:20 Mind-Body Dualism and Beyond
04:41 Constellation Cybernetics
05:26 The Trap of Polarization
12:56 Varela's Coup Experience
19:55 Holding the Tension
21:08 The Logic of Paradise
25:19 Embracing Love
Evan Thompson on Varela: achrafkassioui.com/library/Evan%20Thompson%20-%20Tribute%20to%20Francisco%20Varela.pdf
Not One Not Two: upaya.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/1976-Varela-Not-One-Not-Two-1.pdf
Audio of Varela: centerforneweconomics.org/envision/legacy/lindisfarne-tapes
Linguistic Bodies: The Continuity between Life and LanguageUnavailable
By Ezequiel A. Di Paolo, Elena Clare Cuffari, Hanne De Jaegher
DOI: doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/11244.001.0001
DISCLAIMER
Educational Content Only: This video is for philosophical exploration and educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice.
Important Notice: The ideas discussed may challenge your current beliefs and worldview. If you experience emotional distress or confusion while watching, please pause and consider speaking with a qualified mental health professional.
No Affiliation: Views expressed are personal opinions and do not represent any institution, organization, or employer.
Fair Use: Any referenced material is used under fair use principles for educational discussion and commentary.
Personal Responsibility: This content does not prescribe any particular way of living. You are responsible for how you interpret and apply these ideas to your own life. The creators assume no liability for any outcomes resulting from your use of this material.
Your Wellbeing Matters: If philosophical inquiry ever feels overwhelming, prioritize your mental health and seek appropriate support.
Paradox is A Portal, Not a Problem: the idea that paradoxes don't need solving; instead, they should be recognized as portals into another way of being. By engaging with the world through holding tensions rather than picking sides, we open ourselves to a richer experience. Instead of seeing conflicts as adversaries to overcome, we could view them as opportunities to deepen our understanding of life's intricate dance. Varela's journey, as illustrated by Hiott, roots itself in a profound moment during political upheaval in Chile, where the notion of fixed oppositions was deeply ingrained. Through this chaos, Varela realized that distinctions like mind versus body, science versus spirituality, and self versus others might actually prevent us from experiencing the full complexity of reality. His idea was not to find definitive answers but to embrace the process of living as an ongoing exploration—dynamic and interconnected. Star Cybernetics: Constellations and Networks: highlights a shift from linear hierarchies to networks of interconnected nodes. This approach acknowledges that every node or aspect of life is part of a larger pattern, which doesn’t reduce into simplistic oppositions but rather thrives in a web of relationships and processes. This non-linear way of understanding mimics a constellation, where each star is distinct yet part of a larger harmonious design. Logic of Paradise: Embracing Collective Processes: Varela wrote about these ideas during a time of personal transformation. In the face of a coup, he was forced to confront the fragility of human constructs and find clarity amidst chaos. Hiott recounts how Varela realized that true understanding comes not from dividing the world into binaries but from recognizing our place within a vast, continuous process. Love, as Varela and Hiott see it, emerges naturally from holding these tensions and appreciating the relational bonds that define our existence.
The "Not One, Not Two" approach does not dilute personal convictions or diminish the importance of standing for one’s beliefs. Instead, it challenges us to engage with the world and its complexities from a place of love and openness. Holding paradoxes allows us to transform adversarial relationships into dance partners, engaging with others not as opponents but as contributors to a shared vibrant reality.
