Why darkness?
Significant changes in an organization’s capacities to learn will only occur when deep changes in how people think and interact occur.
Peter Senge
Darkness changes one’s whole perception of oneself and one’s environment. Initially, one may experience a feeling of complete helplessness, but then begin to adapt and find ways to cope. Using a white cane and having to activate other senses, people start to appreciate those around them as never before. Darkness is a means of learning which Milton Erickson, one of the most influential systemic thinkers of our times, was possibly referring to when he said: “Until you are willing to be confused about what you already know, what you know will never become wider, bigger or deeper.” Learning in an unfamiliar environment out of one’s comfort zone and without being able to rely on the most important sense is what distinguishes learning in the dark from ‘normal’ training (whether outdoors or indoors). According to Erickson, a change of context is necessary and unavoidable when striving for innovation and progress. This takes one to an emotional level – promoting the learning process and stimulating inner resources. Thus, darkness acts as the perfect catalyst for sustainable learning.