Understanding the distinction between Function, Being and Will in the way Mr. Bennett spoke of them has never been clear to me. But I got a clue the other day while listening to a talk he had given[1] using the kitchen as an example. In the midst of this talk, I saw that the kitchen could correspond to Function, the ingredients of the meal to Being, and the Chief Cook to Will.
The Kitchen Represents Function
Choose any kitchen—it can be the one in your home or in an industrial setting like a restaurant.
Picture yourself standing at the door looking in, just before anyone is there to work. The countertops are clean, the utensils washed and put away, the pots and pans ready to be used.
The function of this room is to facilitate the events that are necessary for preparing a meal.
Fresh Food Represents Being
Now the food enters: perhaps it’s a bag of potatoes, a bunch of carrots, a pound or more of meat or fish. The ingredients can vary, they are as yet raw and will need some kind of preparation to transform them into a palatable dish to be eaten.
Fresh food carries a life-force. So does our Being.
The Chief Cook Represents Will
Soon the workers enter, a spouse or child in the home or professional kitchen staff if at a restaurant. In the center of it all, is the Chief Cook, whether it’s you or whether it’s a highly acclaimed Chef. This person will be in charge of how the meal comes out.
Understanding Function, Being and Will
What comes to me in this graphic scenario is a way of understanding Function, Being and Will in myself. I see my physical body as the room. The Function of which is to facilitate that which is possible for me to become. My life-force or Being, can be compared to the groceries brought into the kitchen. What is possible for that raw life-force to become, in terms of the Fourth Way, depends on the Chief Cook or Will.
A good Chief Cook takes into account the ingredients available, is responsible for the state of the kitchen and holds the vision for the intended outcome. It is the Chief Cook’s responsibility to direct the activities in a functional kitchen and properly cook the meal.
If Will is analogous to Chief Cook, then Will is ultimately responsible for transforming the raw ingredients of Being. Within the function of my body, it is Will (not self-will) that has the authority to intentionally put my being in the fire that ultimately transforms me into a Real human being.
[1] JGB’s talk on The Kitchen Enneagram, Sherborne House 1973