This book advances systems thinking by introducing a new philosophy of systemic knowing, based on the argument that there are inescapable limits to rational understanding; and that humankind has always depended on extended ways of knowing to complement the rational-analytic approach. Towards this, it calls for extension to the epistemology used in existing system thinking paradigms. The book characterizes the philosophical implications of embracing two modes of consciousness: intentionality, which Western philosophy has long recognized, and non-intentional awareness, which Eastern philosophy embraces. It is the simultaneity of these two modes of consciousness, and the variety of knowings they spawn, that need to be harnessed and triangulated for a more holistic, systemic knowing.The book examines in detail four sophisticated contemporary approaches to knowing from fields related to systemic practice: an action research tradition each from the US and the UK; the Sumedhian (Indian) approach to inquiry about processes within groups; and an approach to group psychotherapy originating in Eastern Europe. The book argues that across these methods (and many other sophisticated ones that humankind has developed over the ages and across cultures) and the variety of ways of knowing that they spawn, can be seen a purposeful harnessing of both modes of consciousness. These methods and the extended epistemologies they deploy are shown to correspond to the systemic ontology. Therefore, they can be employed in deliberate and methodical juxtaposition to rational-analytic ways to develop a more sophisticated systemic knowing. Guidelines and tips for incorporating these aspects into systemic practice are provided. The book thus establishes that the practice of various methods that harness knowing beyond the rational-analytic, is fundamental to truly systemic knowing. weiterlesen