Books by Krystyna Laycraft
Nucleus Learning, 2025
This book outlines my experiment in communicating with ChatGPT and learning from the vast knowled... more This book outlines my experiment in communicating with ChatGPT and learning from the vast knowledge this tech- nology provides. In this process, I took on the role of inter- viewer, motivated by my curiosity not only about various in- triguing, complex, and specialized subjects but also about how I could interact with a non-human entity.
Cultural and Pedagogical Inquiry, 2024
In this short essay, I present the process of making collages through one year (from March 2020 t... more In this short essay, I present the process of making collages through one year (from March 2020 to April 2021) of the COVID-19 pandemic and analyze its therapeutic and transformative impact on me. I also discuss importance of being mindful, attentive, accepting, and contemplating during this process.
I have chosen to make collages for two reasons. First of all, through collages, I am able to tell stories, express myself, and deliver meaningful messages. Secondly, making collages reminds me of Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration, in which the mental structure at a lower level must disintegrate and then, through challenging processes, transforms into a structure on a higher level of development. It is similar to collages. First, you must cut or tear chosen images into smaller pieces and then arrange and connect them into something new and meaningful.
Nucleus Learning, 2022
In the book "The I Ching as Seen Through Collages," I present collages depicting the eight trigr... more In the book "The I Ching as Seen Through Collages," I present collages depicting the eight trigrams and the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. The I Ching is the oldest and most significant Chines classic. It is based on the change and transformation underlying all existence. The fundamental building blocks are the ancient concepts of Yang and Yin.
Even being created in ancient times, the I Ching fully applies to the present. It is like a wise mentor who offers directions and answers many questions regarding our issues. Through a richness of symbols, the I Ching helps us find how to live a harmonious and meaningful life, develop and maintain our inner strength, how vital the moments of silence and concentration are, and many more.
Nucleus Learning, 2019
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of my work on Dąbrowski’s theory, I have created this small boo... more To celebrate the 10th anniversary of my work on Dąbrowski’s theory, I have created this small book, which contains nine of my articles published in different psychological journals. I was exploring Dąbrowski’s ideas through the prism of my knowledge as a physicist, specializing in complexity science.
In one of the articles, I wrote: “As I read Dąbrowski’s book, Mental Growth through Positive Disintegration, I experienced a profound sense of “resonance.” Moreover, as I immersed myself in the works of Dabrowski, I was mesmerized by the beautiful parallels between the theory of positive disintegration and chaos theory. “
Dąbrowski stresses the importance of “emotional turbulence” in the process of transition from the lower level to the higher levels of mental life, which complies with the core ideas of chaos theory where sensitivity, instability and unpredictability are an inherent part of development. For Dąbrowski, nervousness and psychoneurotic symptoms are signs of the beginning of an advancing process of positive transformations. This idea corresponds to Prigogine’s concept that “non-equilibrium is a source of order.”
Through the perspective of complexity science, I tried to uncover some deep secrets of Dąbrowski’s theory and bring further understanding of human development.
Krystyna C. Laycraft
Lorell Ranch, Summer 2019
Nucleus Learning, 2019
Our book is mother-daughter cooperation, which gave us a lot of joy and satisfaction. We opened o... more Our book is mother-daughter cooperation, which gave us a lot of joy and satisfaction. We opened ourselves to each other’s ideas and, as a result, our understanding of some complex concepts extended and deepened. We have shown in this book, that acceptance is not only an attitude to a specific situation in which we find ourselves but also, an outlook toward our lives. Acceptance, when merged with other emotions, creates meaningful emotional patterns, such as resourcefulness, curiosity, friendliness, love, and mindfulness, which make our lives rich and meaningful.
Nucleus Learning, 2017
Ksiazka ta jest moja intelektualna podroza poprzez wiele filozoficznych podejsc do procesu decyzy... more Ksiazka ta jest moja intelektualna podroza poprzez wiele filozoficznych podejsc do procesu decyzyjnego. Przez zastosowanie tych idei, bylam w stanie przeegzaminowc wlasne decyzje i zrozumiec ich wplyw na moje zycie.
Mam nadzije, ze praca moja zainspiruje innych do glebszej refleksji nad wlasnym zyciem i zastanowieniem sie nad rola decyzji w przebiegu ich zycia.
AwareNow Publishing, 2015
In the book, "The Courage to Decide," I've presented my intellectual journey through the theories... more In the book, "The Courage to Decide," I've presented my intellectual journey through the theories of many philosophers. During this journey, I've contemplated and examines my life through the light of their ideas. This process has given me clarity about decision-making and its importance in our lives.
Through the courage to decide, we're able to experience freedom, novelty, and understanding. We're then able to orient ourselves to the future and change our vision into reality.
Through the courage to decide, we're able to transcend aging and the ravages of disease and replace them with psychological growth. We're then able to develop creativity and become more compassionate
Through the courage to decide, we create ourselves and the world around us. Simply put, the courage to decide is the ultimate act of creation.
AwareNow Publishing , 2014
The book, "Feeling Life," has emerged through the process of reflective meditation. I reflected o... more The book, "Feeling Life," has emerged through the process of reflective meditation. I reflected on and deeply explored my actions, choices, and decisions. My persistence in the process of understanding, interpreting and evaluating led to the discovery of unexpected and surprising aspects of my life. I discovered a richness of emotions I had experienced during these emotions guided me through complex, and very often difficult and challenging situations.
Promontory Press , May 2014
The main purpose of this book is to throw light on the role of creativity during the periods of a... more The main purpose of this book is to throw light on the role of creativity during the periods of adolescence and young adulthood. I present five life stories of young people who are actively involved in creative pursuits such as music composition, circus arts, painting, journaling, and writing. Then I explore how their creativity helps them to interpret, to understand, and to make meaning out of their internal experiences.
The book contains three parts. In the first part, the basic concepts of chaos theory and the idea of self-organization are introduced. Some contemporary approaches to emotions are also discussed. In the second part, the lives of five young people are presented and by applying these theories, their psychological development and creative processes are interpreted and analyzed. Finally, in the third part, a conceptual model of creativity development is discussed.
The book encourages parents and educators to look at the creativity of young people much more seriously as a tool for enriching their lives, opening up new possibilities for them, and greatly extending their vision of themselves and the world they live in.
Book Chapters by Krystyna Laycraft
NucleusLearning , 2019
We need the sweet pain of anticipation to tell us we are really alive.
In Veronika Bohac-Clarke (Ed.) Integral theory & transdisciplinary action research in education, IGI Global, 2018
The purpose of this study was to investigate creativity in adolescents and young adults and its r... more The purpose of this study was to investigate creativity in adolescents and young adults and its role in psychological development. For this qualitative research, a methodology combining hermeneutic phenomenology/ontology with narrative/biography was chosen. To interpret the data, we created pattern models of creativity by applying the concepts of complexity science, especially self-organization, with the Theory of Positive Disintegration and the Psycho-Evolutionary Theory of Emotions.
It was discovered that the process of creativity in young people is intertwined with the strong emotions of passion, curiosity, enthusiasm, and delight. These emotions are the driving forces that generate order and complexity not only in the creative process, but also in overall psychological development. The presence of these strong emotions often contributes to lesser tension in young people’s development, including a greater ability to integrate their experiences, to take their psychological development into their own hands, and to find direction for their future.
Published in C. Pearson, S. Mann, & A. Zotti, Art Therapy 7 Creative Processes; A Practical Approach, Ann Arbor, London, Sydney: Loving Healing Press, pp. 67-80
The creativity is the actualization of potentiality, and the process of actualization is an occas... more The creativity is the actualization of potentiality, and the process of actualization is an occasion of experiencing. Alfred North Whitehead In my book, "The Courage to Decide", 2 I wrote about the transitions in my life between different value dimensions. Since my graduation from the Physics Department of the University of Warsaw, right into my forties, I lived in a world governed by systemic value dimension. My inner world was characterized by selfdirection, persistence, motivation, and commitment. I had long-range plans and my thinking was analytical. Most of my professional life was centered on creating mathematical models of complex physical phenomena. I was excited and satisfied with my work, but slowly beginning to feel that I needed something different in my
AwareNow Publishing , 2015
AwareNow Publishing, 2015
AwareNow Publishing, Jun 2015
As described in the Chapter 1, the emotions of confusion, helplessness, disappointment, and anger... more As described in the Chapter 1, the emotions of confusion, helplessness, disappointment, and anger pushed me to make changes in my life. In this chapter, I'll continue this topic by introducing five types of challenging situations that evoke negative emotions. Then I'll analyze those experienced emotions and the role they play in decision-making.
"A Critique of Creativity and Complexity. Deconstructing Cliches," Don Ambrose, Bharath Sriraman and Kathleen M. Pierce (Eds.), 2014
This chapter provides a new approach to the study of creativity of adolescents and young adults b... more This chapter provides a new approach to the study of creativity of adolescents and young adults by combining the idea of self-organization with theories of emotions. To gather data for this qualitative research, hermeneutic phenomenology/ontology linked with the narrative/biography methods was chosen. As a process of interpretation of the data, pattern models of the process of creativity are designed. There are some unique differences between the models of different participants’ creativity, but in general they share common phases such as differentiation/chaos, integration/complexity, and dissipative structures/creativity (products of creativity in the forms of new movements, new writings, and new paintings). Creativity of young people is intertwined with strong emotions of interest, joy, acceptance, which enhance mental activity to global, open, and exploratory modes of attention, stimulate their thinking and enrich their imagination. These cognitive processes then deepen their emotions to complex emotions such as curiosity, enthusiasm, delight, passion, resourcefulness, and love, which, through a reciprocal reinforcement influence their selves. Creative people become more sensitive, more open, and receptive to the internal and external world. They develop into resourceful, imaginative, empathic, and spiritual human beings.
Papers by Krystyna Laycraft
During the workshop, we introduce the main concepts and principles of chaos theory (positive and ... more During the workshop, we introduce the main concepts and principles of chaos theory (positive and negative feedback, bifurcation points, attractors, complexity, self-organization, dissipative structures) through brief introductions, discussions, and a variety of stimulating and interactive activities like improvisation, active imagination, exercises of self-reflection, and techniques of disappearing. To illustrate some concepts we use the author's paintings. Then we analyze the process of creativity by applying these concepts. Creativity could be referred to as "self-organizing dissipative structures," originating spontaneously in far-from-equilibrium conditions. They emerge only through a constant exchange of energy/information with their environment, continuously create bifurcation points of instabilities and fluctuations, and transform themselves into new organization of increased order and complexity.
This chapter provides a new approach to the study of creativity of adolescents and young adults b... more This chapter provides a new approach to the study of creativity of adolescents and young adults by combining the idea of self-organization with theories of emotions. To gather data for this qualitative research, hermeneutic phenomenology/ontology linked with the narrative/biography methods was chosen. As a process of interpretation of the data, pattern models of the process of creativity are designed. There are some unique differences between the models of different participants' creativity, but in general they share common phases such as differentiation/chaos, integration/complexity, and dissipative structures/creativity (products of creativity in the forms of new movements, new writings, and new paintings). Creativity of young people is intertwined with strong emotions of interest, joy, acceptance, which enhance mental activity to global, open, and exploratory modes of attention, stimulate their thinking and enrich their imagination. These cognitive processes then deepen their emotions to complex emotions such as curiosity, enthusiasm, delight, passion, resourcefulness, and love, which, through a reciprocal reinforcement influence their selves. Creative people become more sensitive, more open, and 2 receptive to the internal and external world. They develop into resourceful, imaginative, empathic, and spiritual human beings.
Uploads
Books by Krystyna Laycraft
I have chosen to make collages for two reasons. First of all, through collages, I am able to tell stories, express myself, and deliver meaningful messages. Secondly, making collages reminds me of Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration, in which the mental structure at a lower level must disintegrate and then, through challenging processes, transforms into a structure on a higher level of development. It is similar to collages. First, you must cut or tear chosen images into smaller pieces and then arrange and connect them into something new and meaningful.
Even being created in ancient times, the I Ching fully applies to the present. It is like a wise mentor who offers directions and answers many questions regarding our issues. Through a richness of symbols, the I Ching helps us find how to live a harmonious and meaningful life, develop and maintain our inner strength, how vital the moments of silence and concentration are, and many more.
In one of the articles, I wrote: “As I read Dąbrowski’s book, Mental Growth through Positive Disintegration, I experienced a profound sense of “resonance.” Moreover, as I immersed myself in the works of Dabrowski, I was mesmerized by the beautiful parallels between the theory of positive disintegration and chaos theory. “
Dąbrowski stresses the importance of “emotional turbulence” in the process of transition from the lower level to the higher levels of mental life, which complies with the core ideas of chaos theory where sensitivity, instability and unpredictability are an inherent part of development. For Dąbrowski, nervousness and psychoneurotic symptoms are signs of the beginning of an advancing process of positive transformations. This idea corresponds to Prigogine’s concept that “non-equilibrium is a source of order.”
Through the perspective of complexity science, I tried to uncover some deep secrets of Dąbrowski’s theory and bring further understanding of human development.
Krystyna C. Laycraft
Lorell Ranch, Summer 2019
Mam nadzije, ze praca moja zainspiruje innych do glebszej refleksji nad wlasnym zyciem i zastanowieniem sie nad rola decyzji w przebiegu ich zycia.
Through the courage to decide, we're able to experience freedom, novelty, and understanding. We're then able to orient ourselves to the future and change our vision into reality.
Through the courage to decide, we're able to transcend aging and the ravages of disease and replace them with psychological growth. We're then able to develop creativity and become more compassionate
Through the courage to decide, we create ourselves and the world around us. Simply put, the courage to decide is the ultimate act of creation.
The book contains three parts. In the first part, the basic concepts of chaos theory and the idea of self-organization are introduced. Some contemporary approaches to emotions are also discussed. In the second part, the lives of five young people are presented and by applying these theories, their psychological development and creative processes are interpreted and analyzed. Finally, in the third part, a conceptual model of creativity development is discussed.
The book encourages parents and educators to look at the creativity of young people much more seriously as a tool for enriching their lives, opening up new possibilities for them, and greatly extending their vision of themselves and the world they live in.
Book Chapters by Krystyna Laycraft
It was discovered that the process of creativity in young people is intertwined with the strong emotions of passion, curiosity, enthusiasm, and delight. These emotions are the driving forces that generate order and complexity not only in the creative process, but also in overall psychological development. The presence of these strong emotions often contributes to lesser tension in young people’s development, including a greater ability to integrate their experiences, to take their psychological development into their own hands, and to find direction for their future.
Papers by Krystyna Laycraft