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The Perfect Tension

The Perfect Tension is, on one hand, a description of the tensional unity that exists between all things. This is most clearly evident in a local context. This is an ontological observance whose rule is carried to the possible extremity. At surface level, all things appear to be connected in some way. It is evident that tensions exist in physical things. It is an element of what constitutes physicality. We can also see that tensions can co-exist without apparent physical contact. We transmit emotional tension all of the time. Tension doe not need to be harmful or negative. In fact, most of the time it's unnoticeable. Most notably, certain types of relational tensions wind up being pretty satisfactory. Tensions abound, even in stillness. This is when the perfect tension is most evident.

On the other hand, it is a prescription for a pattern installation. It is an iDOS for tensional unity. Previously, we had a description of tensional unity and an acknowledgement of its presence. Now we are approaching each identifiable aspect of tensional unity as if it were an express feature of our experience. What is my attention? What tensions effect it? What tensions are informed by it? Generally speaking and in specific instances? How do we effectively interact with it? How do we effectively use it to interact with other tensions? What are the outcomes of ineffective use? What are the consequences of effective use? To act in such a way as to answer these sorts of questions while generating new ones is to engage in pattern installation.

Each category in the pattern is to be understood as its own unique instance of tension, replete with its own creative space to explore. Now that I have a grasp upon the tensional context for each tensional aspect, I explore its space individually. There is circumstance which both calls for my attention and for which my attention is available, at all points throughout my day and night cycle. How is my attention being employed? What sort of patterns are available? How can I exercise variations in those patterns? What changes in outcome result from those variations? What new variations emerge from the novel space?

They are also to be understood as parts of a whole pattern which is present in all circumstances. Where there is attention, there is also contention, retention, intention and extension. After all, this is a system of tensional unity. Focus on a particular aspect allows us to differentiate it as an active member of the system. It also leaves us with an incomplete image of tensional unity, both for the whole and for the parts. All of the parts interact at all times, in more ways than we can conceive. How does my attention contend with my other tensions, such as retention or intention? How is my attention afforded by a contention with the ground beneath my feet? What happens when I guide my attention with intentionality? How is retention impacted if extension is sparse? Are there special relationships between attention and retention, or between extension and intention?

There will be periods of time under tension in all regards. While tension is constant, it is made evident through local instances of contact. We are in tension with something. I will pay attention to a picture on the wall, my focus bouncing around the locus of the frame. I will shift my attention to some mental event even while looking at the picture. This is has broken my time under tension with the picture and I now have a time under tension with the mental event. My attention can now move to an itch on my calf. New time under tension. It is about the duration of contact and response. What changes when I hold a time under tension past the point of impulsive reorientation?

These will connect into periods of time under intention. Tension is constant and contact is constant. The instance of their occurrence is variable. These are most evident locally, such as with the picture. Even as I switch attention from the picture to some thought I had and I transition framework for time under tension, I still maintain tensional unity. Time under intention unifies distinct periods of time under tension in a coherent process. The thought I had was about the picture. It altered my perspective. I access further detail. It inspires more thought. How many different tensional acts can I unify into an intentional process?

These will individuate into a model over time. The duality of the individual and the group will be explored thoroughly throughout this space. Here, it is understood that the individuation of the model is a result of unifying the space, of collectivizing the many. The model over time is the result of an extended intentional process. It identifies the features which are common to all intention acts, in all contexts. It perceives them as a single feature, or systemic process. How many models can I collect? What’s the difference between having one or two? Or many? Or none?

Attention - Surface to core

Is the focus of cognitive fixation, and is definitive of the boundary of awareness. Ideally is approached with an open core, a blank surface and a penetrating gaze.

What catches our attention?

What holds our attention?

How many different ways do I have of paying attention?

Can I pay attention to more than one thing at a time?

Can I not pay attention?

Selective attention

Distraction

Fixation

Dialogue

Dialectic

Contention - Surface to Surface

Is the contact of surfaces, and is how tension is fundamentally communicated. Ideally is approached with all cores open, a clear surface, and a consensual touch.

What are my own surfaces?

What surfaces do they contact with?

What different sorts of contact are made?

What do my surfaces afford?

What is afforded to my surfaces?

Intimacy

Violence

Support

Collaboration

Co-creativity

Retention - all surfaces to core

is the contact of many surfaces upon a single core, and is how experience is retained in embodied memory. Ideally is performed as elaborative routine in which many surfaces make contact with an open core, over an interval of time.

How does retention work?

How does retrieval work?

What is being retained and retrieved?

What impact does practice have upon the process?

How do I prioritize what to retain?

Working memory

Long term memory

Encodement

Pneumonics

Language

Intention - Core to Core

Is the contact from core to core, and is how all intervening surfaces align into meaningful coherence. Ideally is done through mindfulness and conscious awareness of the deep features of an act.

When am I intentional?

Extension - Core to all Surfaces

Perfect tension - all cores to all surfaces

Time under Tension

Time under intention

model over time

Perfect Tension - tells us that all tensions are present at all times.

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