The Dynamic Cycle

A series of talks on the Wisdom of the Dynamic Cycle
are being held over winter 22/23 via Zoom.

In today's secular cultural climate, people often feel that their worth or significance is directly related to their achievements. This results in a constant struggle to perform better, to achieve more and, when things don't go well, the feeling of loss of status and rejection.

The Dynamic Cycle rejects this hypothesis and begins, not with achievement, but with acceptance: before we can achieve, we need to feel accepted. Acceptance then enables us to be nourished and sustained, and from this arises our sense of status. This solid foundation of acceptance, sustenance and status then gives rise to achievements which are not based on a need to be accepted, but which come from knowing that we are accepted. This is a foundational hypothesis of the Bridge Pastoral Foundation.

Many difficulties in our personalities and relationships stem from conscious or subconscious feelings about not being accepted and from the insecurity that this generates. A key element of our work is learning to accept each other and, more importantly, ourselves, just as we are.

The Dynamic Cycle is illustrated by the diagram below. To illustrate the cycle further, we also show how the life of Jesus Christ and his relationship of obedience to God the Father models the Dynamic Cycle and enables us to analyse the origins and development of normal, healthy human personality structures and dynamic relationships.

1. Acceptance

of Christ the Son by His Father: "This is my Son, whom I love"
(Matthew 3:17)

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2. Sustenance

Christ abides in the Father and his well-being derives from this: 'The only begotten Son who is at the Father's side.' (John 1:18)

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3. Status

"I am from above"
(John 8:23)

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4. Achievement

This is strictly limited to the Father's will: "The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing." (John 5:19; see also verses 30 and 36)

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1. Acceptance

Christ's reponse to dependence as a Son and as man is to pray. (Luke 6:12, 9:28)
He went up into the mountain to pray. He is found alone, praying. (Luke 9:18)

He faces Crucifixion in the Garden praying. He knows that he has constant access. "I knew that you always hear me." (John 11:42)

He is the only begotten Son of God the Father. This is his Being. John records that "I saw the Splrit come down from Heaven as a dove, and remain on him." (John 1:32)

2. Sustenance

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you." (John 15 :9)

'For the Father loves the son and shows him all He does'. (John 5 :20)

Christ is given the Holy Spirit and his gifts - love, joy, peace, patience, glory - all without measure. (John 3:34)

"I am in the Father and the Father is in me." (John 14:11)
"I and the Father are one." (John 10:30)

3. Status

"I am God's Son." (John 10:36)
"I am not alone." (John 8:16-18, 29)

He is sent by God, on God's work. (John 7:18, 28, 29, 33; 6:38)

"I am the light of the world." (John 9:5, see also 3:19, 8:12)

"I am the living bread that came down from Heaven." (John 6:51)
Jesus is the water of life. (John 7:37)
'Full of grace and truth.' (John 1:14)

Everything is entrusted to him by God. (Matthew 11:27)

The Father is glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)

Jesus said "I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Matthew 26:64)

Jesus commands men to leave all; "take up your cross, follow me." (John 1:43, 12:26)