Being More Present Part 6 of 6 | EP.026

Embracing Presence: The Dance of Polarity in Narrative

Welcome to the sixth and final episode in our series on presence!

Today, we're exploring the law of polarity, the dynamic dance between expansion and contraction, positive and negative, light and dark, masculine and feminine, and more. Understanding and utilizing this polarity is essential for creating compelling narratives that captivate creators and audiences.

The Dance of Polarity

Polarity is everywhere. It's about expansion and contraction, light and dark, positive and negative. In narratives, this concept is crucial. The cycles of expansion and contraction create undulation and change, driving the story forward. These cycles can be short or long, depending on the genre and the narrative arc.

For instance, in a romantic comedy, you often see an upward spiral—characters grow, evolve, and end up in a better place than where they started. Conversely, a tragedy usually follows a downward spiral, with characters descending into a worse state. Sometimes, narratives take a cyclical approach, reminiscent of purgatory, where characters don't fundamentally change but continue to cycle through the same patterns, which can be used effectively in comedies, dramas, and other genres.

Expansion and Contraction in Practice

Let's break down how expansion and contraction work within a narrative.

Imagine your character's presence is constantly shifting between these two states:

Expansion: When the character is open, engaging, and experiencing positive outcomes.

Contraction: When the character feels closed off, defensive, or faces negative experiences.

This undulation keeps both the character and the audience engaged. This ebb and flow creates tension and release, making the narrative compelling. Think of any great courtroom drama. One side appears to be winning, only for a surprising twist to shift the balance. This constant back-and-forth keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

The Impact on Behavior

Ultimately, narratives are about behavior—how characters think and feel at any given moment, informed by their state of being. This state of being is constantly between expansion and contraction, positive and negative. Watching this behavior unfold is what keeps audiences hooked.

Consider a sporting event where one team dominates from start to finish. If the outcome is predictable, the excitement fades. In contrast, a closely contested game with frequent lead changes keeps viewers engaged until the very end. The same principle applies to narratives. Characters must experience wins and losses, ups and downs, to keep the story interesting.

Avoiding Predictability

One of the pitfalls in storytelling is predictability. When narratives become too predictable, they lose their impact. This can often be seen in films with heavy agendas or overly formulaic plots. For example, some films with a solid ideological bent or certain Hallmark movies can become predictable as characters play out expected roles without real depth or change.

However, predictability is sometimes good. Knowing the outcome can sometimes be comforting, like in a beloved soap opera or a nostalgic film. The key is to balance familiarity with enough unexpected elements to keep the audience engaged.

Practicing Presence

So, how do you practice this dance of polarity in your creative work? It starts with being present. Embrace expansion and contraction in your presence and let that flow into your work. Whether you're writing, acting, directing, or producing, stay aware of the undulation in your narrative.

Stay engaged and keep creating!