The games we play

I recently came across “Finite and Infinite Games" by James Carse. 

It’s a fascinating and intriguing take on how life can show up for us if we choose to look at it in certain way, in this case, seeing life as a series of (mostly finite) games...but only one infinite game.

We all have signed up, deliberately or otherwise, for a number of 'finite' games. Following our sporting heroes, being a sports competitor, working inside or for an organisation, being a partner, lover, parent etc.  These are finite games in the sense that they come to an end, and the end is when someone has ‘won’. The purpose of playing a finite game is to win, and in winning the possibility of immortality in the sense of being remembered forever. A place in the pantheon.

Then there’s the Infinite game, the game without end, the eternal game, the one we can’t actually lose because the intention of the game is to continue the play. Not winning. 

Players of the Infinite game invite others into the play, they welcome surprise and instead seeking immortality they invite participants who might kill them, the ‘killing’ being the end of the separate self, the ego, the personality. 

Players of the infinite game can play as many finite games as they choose to play and they can play ‘all-in’, give it everything without fear and without holding back because they know there’s nothing (really) to lose.

Seeing life as a game to be played to the full opens us up to all kinds of possibilities and to play.

The final thought (from the author) I’ll leave you with is:

‘Those who MUST play, cannot play.’

So which games are you playing?

You can find the book Finite and Infinite Games here.

[Photo by Vlad Sargu on Unsplash]