One of my most profound memories is from the day after my youngest nephew, David, was born. It was the first time I had ever held a newborn and I was totally unprepared for the experience. It was in many ways such a normal thing — I had held babies, including his two older brothers, … Continue reading Integral Basics, Part 5: States of Consciousness
So far in this short series on the basics of Integral thought, we've looked at quadrants — the belief that we need to look at things from as many perspectives as possible — and lines of development — the belief that human growth and maturity involve the whole person. Together, these two aspects give Integral … Continue reading Integral Basics, Part 4: Stages of Development
About twenty years ago or so, I was taken by Howard Gardner's theory of "multiple intelligences." This was a theory that posited that we need to expand how we understand intelligence beyond the 'book smarts' represented by traditional IQ testing, to include natural aptitudes in other aspects of life: relationships, movement, self-understanding, navigating systems, and … Continue reading Integral Basics, Part 3: Life for the Whole Person
There's a famous Indian parable about a group of blind men trying to make sense of an elephant. To one, touching the trunk, it's a snake. To another, touching the ear, it's a fan. To another, holding the leg, it's a tree. To still another, grasping the tail, it's a rope. And to the last … Continue reading Integral Basics, Part 2: Multiple Perspectives
Life is not for the faint of heart. This is true for every single human who has ever lived. But it's perhaps most true for those of us who engage with the spiritual life. As cliché as the metaphor of the "spiritual journey" may be, it remains true: Life is a long and winding road, … Continue reading Integral Basics, Part 1: The Search for What Comes Next
