The 9 Dimensions of Self | Inter-Dimensional Discovery
A meaning making system that helps us see life through a holistic lens
A note on taking what you need
In this piece I am going to introduce to you the framework that I’ve been developing and using in my personal Self Discovery and Leadership Journey. I feel it is important to contextualize and attempt to explain how you might use this framework, so that is where we will start; however if you just want to skip into the 9 dimensions, go ahead and do that.
You can also start by applying The Multidimensional Self™ Framework to quarterly reflection and intention setting through this free workbook.
Lenses and Perspective as a Growth Path
Part of my purpose on this planet is to be a life long learner. Sorry if I just poked any corporate culture scars with those words, but they’re the best ones I have. I’ve loved learning my whole life, yet it was the classes I was least excited to take in college that revealed a new learning and growth path for me.
Let me paint the scene for you, it’s 7:45 PM, I’ve been sitting in a lecture hall for an hour and forty five minutes because some academic coordinator decided to torture the Visual Communication students with 3 hour evening Art History lectures once a week that even our sassy professor despised. To be fair, he didn’t make it better as he loved assigning us 6 hours of reading a week. The class was about how we interpret art and thus the history of our world.
The seed sown moment for me was when he introduced us to Judith Butler’s Gender Performativity Theory… And you might be wondering, “what does that have to do with paintings from the 1600s?” You and I would have been in the exact same boat, but the professor explained we can intentionally look at Art (Life) through different lenses. We can look at the work of Anthony Van Dyke through a lens of Gender Performativity and see something different than when we look at a lens of Catholicism.
Now, 10 years later, I apply this practice of intentionally looking through lenses to my daily life as one of my favourite methods for growth and building intention.
The truth is, we’re always applying a lens to the way we see the world. Our default lens is formed through our experiences and genetics. We have built in bias. This practice of intentionally looking through the lens of a Theory, Framework, or Meaning Making System allows us to change our perspective and see what is in front of us differently. By practicing daily, we automatically build intention in our lives and program our nervous systems to slow down.
When I share and encourage others to explore meaning making systems, this is the essence of what I am inviting them to do. The core question being, “If you we’re to try this perspective on, what might you see and learn?”
In just a moment, I am doing to introduce my framework, The Multidimensional Self™. The invitation is to try it on, get curious, and ask, “If I look at my life from a multidimensional perspective, what might I learn or see about myself?”
Introducing the Multidimensional Self™ Framework
The Multidimensional Self™ Framework describes the relationship we have with the aspects of self, both internally and externally. At the highest level it helps us bucket different aspects of our lives into 9 dimensions, some of which we overlook in our day-to-day life.
This framework has roots in Peggy Swarbrick’s 8 Dimensions of Wellness, Indigenous teachings of the Medicine Wheel and The Four Classic Elements found in ancient and eastern teachings. And of course the bits and pieces I’ve picked up throughout my life.
As I have worked with these ideas they have been reformed and reshaped into a method of looking at our lives more holistically. Each dimension impacts our sense of wellbeing and meaning, our sacred work, and our deeper spiritual connection. Whether consciously or unconsciously, each dimension shapes our identity and sense of self.
The place we live, how we decorate our home, and how clean it is — whether we like it or not, is an aspect of who we are in this moment.
We slowly pick up parts of the people we spend our days with — from the little things they say to the behaviours we engage in.
Our physical routines influence how we live life and the decisions we make.
The good and bad news is we are constantly changing, meaning each dimension fluctuates constantly, being conceived, nurtured, matured, and transformed regularly throughout our lives. Who we are now is different than who we were a year ago and who we will become in a year.
Understanding the different dimensions of ourselves allows us to see our lives and the changes we are navigating from a holistic and conscious lens. We can bring intentionality to the aspects that need initiation, maintenance, support, release, and revitalization by reflecting through this lens.
The 9 Dimensions
Let’s start with the four intrinsic dimensions. These dimensions mostly happen within yourself and you have a higher degree of control over these dimensions. The four intrinsic dimension are:
Spiritual: This dimension describes how you interact and connect with unseen energy outside of yourself, whether it be a higher power (such as god) or universal forces (ie. gravity).
Intellectual: This dimension describes your thoughts, ideas, mindsets, knowledge, and interests.
Emotional: This dimension describes your emotional energetics, responses, states, and capacities.
Physical: This dimension describes your physical being, including your strength, flexibly, stamina, endurance, digestion, resilience, intuition, and instinct.
The extrinsic dimensions refer to aspects of your life that are externalized or outside of ourselves, they are:
Environmental: This dimension describes how you interact with the world around you. It is reflected by your geographic location, primary setting (home, work, and third spaces), decor, and style.
Relational: This dimension describes your relationships and social aspect of life including your family of origin, chosen family, partner, children, friends, coworkers, and broader community.
Occupational: This dimension describes the external pursuits you give your time and energy to; whether it be a job, business, career, creative project, vocation, or hobby. The things we choose to fill our time with shape us as much as we shape them.
Financial: This dimension describes anything to do with your relationship with money, including income, savings, investments, expenses, spending, and financial habits.
All of the 8 dimensions mentioned interact and influence each other and influence who we are as people. They are what forms the final dimension.
Self: This dimension describes our self perception, identity, and core operating system (values, purpose, etc) It is highly informed by the other dimensions, yet everyone will identify with the aspects in a unique way.
Three invitations to try on The Multidimensional Self™ Framework in your life right now
Ok, so now that I’ve given you the high level rundown (like we’re cursing at 30,000 feet bb) of this framework I want to invite you to try it on and experiment with it.
1. Consider all the dimensions in your next decision, big or small
Next time you have a decision to make, this could be as small as what to have for dinner, intentionally go through each of the dimensions and consider it from that aspect’s perspective.
Continuing with the dinner example it might look like this:
Spiritual: How might I bring intention, prayer, or sacredness into this meal
Potential answer: Before I eat my meal, I am going to give a moment of gratitude for it and everything that was involved to have it in front of me to enjoy.
Intellectual: What opportunities exist for me to stretch or play with ideas preparing or during this meal?
Potential answer: I’m going to try something new in the kitchen and create something I’ve never made before.
Emotional: Outside of pure nourishment what am I hoping to get out of this meal? Am I looking for comfort, satisfaction, sweetness, etc.?
Potential answer: It has been rainy and cold lately, what I’m craving is something warm and comforting that makes me feel cozy.
Physical: What would make me feel really good physically to eat? What food aligns with my goals and future vision the best?
Potential answer: There are a number of foods that I know make feel less than my best, I enjoy eating them but feeling good is a priority right now.
Environmental: What environment do I need to eat in tonight to support my digestion?
Potential answer: I’ve been feeling overstimulated, I’d like to take this meal time as an opportunity to shut off all devices and be present.
Relational: How might this meal be on opportunity to connect more deeply with the people in my life?
Potential answer: I want this meal to be a moment for my partner and I to connect and decompress from our days.
Occupational: How might this meal and my choices support my performance at work?
Potential answer: I know I’m going to need lots of sustained energy today, so I’m going to choose foods that support that.
Financial: What financial goals do I want to consider for this meal?
Potential answer: Although I try to limit spending takeout, having it once and awhile is something I have chosen to fit into my budget.
Self: Are any aspects of my identity tied to this meal?
Potential answer: This meal is part of my routine and without it, I feel like I might be a little off.
After reflecting on each dimension you might notice that some dimensions are more important for you and you might be inclined to bring more intention to the meal (or the decision you are making).
Try it out for yourself! See what changes about the choices you make in your daily life.
2. Contemplate how the different dimensions have formed your current identity
On your next walk or commute, instead of listening to music, your favourite audiobook, or another podcast, I invite you to get closer to your own thoughts. Ask yourself how each dimension — intrinsic and extrinsic — has formed who you are right now. You could go back to your childhood years or stay in more recent experiences, allow your mind to wander and get curious about what comes up.
3. Quarterly Reflection and Intention Setting
As another quarter comes to a close and another opens (if your reading this when it’s published — if not your likely less than two months away from this being true), it is a perfect time to reflect and set intentions.
You can do so using my free downloadable and printable workbook that walks you through activities and journal prompts to help you reflect on your past quarter and set intentions for the quarter ahead. You’ll receive support setting intentions that are aligned to where you are at with each dimension of self and prompting to sow the seeds of these intentions within your day to day life.
This is especially great to do on the first new moon of a quarter or seasonal transitions (equinoxes and solstices).
You can get your copy of The Multidimensional Self™ Quarterly Reflection and Intention Setting Workbook here:
Want to explore The Multidimensional Self™, other meaning making systems, or the first steps of your next self discovery journey?
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