Today I will go through some pros and cones of contextual and non-contextual approaches in thinking. Before I start, I would like to make a disclaimer, that I am talking about the context mostly in interpersonal communication, my understanding of the topic is limited and biased in some ways. Nevertheless I think my reflection can become a useful guide if you like to expand your understanding of the effects context can have. And if you are up for playing with it, this is a good place to start your own investigation.
My initial fascination with the topic came from the curiosity towards non-contextual communication. Generally having a complex relationship with labels, which are most of the times assigned to quickly and clumsily, I am more and more drawn to exploring the possibility of gaining control over the amount of context I would like to provide. The reason for me to do so, would be a quest for connection between people, which can emerge form the moment itself and not based on the exchange of the past experiences. Giving too much importance to the past, can hijack the present, jumping it over and landing in the future expectations. Sometimes it can be handy, for example when your gals are clear to you and the only thing you need is to move towers the future scenario you’ve created. But such a move easily can result into a limitation and rigidity. The presence of the context must be noticed, otherwise an unexpected shift can take by a surprise. Misaligned expectations based on the past experiences can lead to disappointments of all sorts and sometime form into guilt, shame and insecurities. Another misfortunate feature of context-dependent mindset is that the other people are seen mere as context providers, where it we pick and chose whatever is relevant to us, rather than dynamic entities able of act independently in the moment. Focus on the content takes away the agency to be whatever you are, now. In a way it takes away the possibility to move within a conversational space and explore what are the places you want to go together. Often we don’t think about it this way though, context helps us to create bridges and mask our insecurities. It is much more comfortable to bring in whatever achievements and experiences we’ve build before and show up in form of the other people. But while helping you to stay confident it immediately sparks the competitiveness, which comes with range of various emotions, which not necessarily contribute to the open and flowing conversation.
Besides all the above, context oriented communication can induce laziness. Being a great assumptions-creator, context saves some energy in the present moment. Which can be a strategy if we don't want to invest time and effort into being present. But again conscious awareness is very important, without it, we might end up in a situation were out needs in intimacy are not fulfilled, despite of the physical contact. t can be that while being physically present, we are actually not being with the other person. Drifting in the past, creating narratives on our own.
On the other side of the dilemma is non-contextual communication. There are some cautions involves as well. Decoupling, to do it right, requires a particular mental effort. You will deal with confusion, uncertainty and additional effort. Desire to cling to context will persevere so if one decides to experiment with non-contextual space, you must be aware of the thinking habits we’ve developed through our lives. Eliminating context also brings in risks, as you don’t have much to build trust on besides what is experience. If there is a mistrust in own judgement system, subtle sensing is dormant and ability to deal with uncertainty isn’t strongly developed, that there might be a problem which wont allow for non-contextual communication. Decent amount of self-honesty is pre, being on the good terms with your body and sensations that will arise, will become you main navigation tool. Obviously once you pursue, context will emerge and things will get easier bun in the beginning it might feel quite uncomfortable.
Tomorrow I will continue my exploration and focus on the appeal of non-contextual stance. I think there isn’t given enough of attention to the possibilities it can open up.