In New Wisdom  and New Wisdom II, I quoted from Ignatieff, in The Needs of Strangers (1984), who argued that, with the demise of the language of religion, we no longer have a language appropriate to the expression of our needs and, without an adequate language of needs, the needs themselves will die, and along with this goes the very essence of our humanness.

In order to ensure a language of needs prevails, and exists independently of any religion,  a key thrust of the Minessence Group, and its associates, since 1988 has been development of a language of values. Using the same techniques as the original values-research team some 40 years ago, we continually monitor people language looking for emotionally charged statements, searching for the emergence of new values. In this way three new values have been added since 1988. So the list of 125 values has now expanded to 128.

Why is it important to have a standardised list of values? Without the chance of choosing from a list of all currently known values, there often are things which are passionately important to us, yet we are unable to give them full expression. This is because we do not have the language to define them and to share them with others.

The value Minessence, the one we have adopted as the name of our organisation, is a great example. The values-research team found a value which was very important to some people, however, it did not have a name. It was important to many people to work with complex ideas and/or technologies and to simplify their understanding and use for the benefit of others. A name for this value was thus created: min from miniature - i.e. to make smaller, less complex; and essence - simplifying a concept so its essence is clear. So combining the concepts of miniaturization and essence, we have minessence.

Since the identification of this value, many people have discovered how important it is in their life and they can now share this passion with others. This is but one example from the set of 128 values. There are many other stories like this.

Values Lie Behind All Our Choices

Now that values-programs have become mainstream in our society, watch out for people conducting programs where they have limited your choice of values. When they limit your choice of values, they are imposing their own bias on you!

Many of people's values are unconsciously important to them. It is only when people are given the fullest set of values possible and are able to choose between value-laden statements based on them, that their values emerge to the level of conscious awareness. Then magic begins!

Regards, Paul Chippendale - Minessence Group Coordinator