Integral Consciousness

Posts Tagged ‘Integral Consciousness’

Why Metaphysics Matters

Bonnitta Roy

Abstract: A lively discussion about why metaphysics matters in our current Metamodern era. I derive a process model of metaphysics based on Whiteheadian process philosophy. I interweave Gebser’s notion of the mental structure of consciousness into a deeper understanding of the difference between the up-ward synthetic-dialectic of the western mind, and the downward, deconstructive dialectic in the eastern approach. I show how Hartshorne’s process metaphysics resolved both eastern and western dilemmas around the ultimate categories. I end with a description of the problem situation we have of escalating epistemic complexity, and how adopting a process metaphysical praxis can help us renew our ways of meeting the complexity of the world.

Tags: Gebser, synthetic-dialectic, Whitehead, postmetaphysics, Nagarjuna, Roy, metaphysics, Complexity science, Dogen, hyperobjects, overmining, Integral Consciousness, process philosophy

The Path of Initiation: The Integration of Psychological and Spiritual Development in Western Esoteric Thought

Gary Raucher

Abstract: This paper examines, from an emic stance, a strand of Western esoteric wisdom that offers a particular perspective on psycho-spiritual development in relation to spiritual emergence, the mutually interdependent evolution of consciousness and substance, and the functional role of human incarnation within our planetary life. The writings of Alice A. Bailey (1880-1949) and Lucille Cedercrans (1921-1984) serve as significant reference points in this effort. These teachings hold an integral view of human development in which a person’s awareness and self-identification progress from polarization in physical matter and sensation through progressively subtler gradients of emotional and mental experience, culminating in “The Path of Initiation,” a phase of psychological and spiritual expansions into deepening levels of transcendent, supramental consciousness and functioning. The esoteric teachings described here portray this path descriptively rather than prescriptively, and have significant parallels to Sri Aurobindo’s Integral vision. Both consider human life in form to be a vital and necessary phase within the larger cosmic evolution of consciousness and matter, and both are frameworks that expansively embrace the significance of the Divine as both immanent and transcendent presence. The important issue of epistemological methodology and the testing of esoteric assertions is also considered.

Tags: science of impression, Integral Yoga, spiritual emergence, Perennial Philosophy, the ageless wisdom, western esotericism, Gary Raucher, western esoteric wisdom., Alice A. Bailey, initiation, Lucille Cedercrans, neo-theosophy, path of initiation, Integral Consciousness, psycho-spiritual development, Integral Philosophy

New Religious Movements, Western Esotericism, and Integral Consciousness

Constance A. Jones

Abstract: Sensibilities toward Eastern thought in the West, fostered in large part through the growth of new religious movements, align with the elements of Western esoteric teachings which have appeared in many guises throughout the history of the West and are reemerging in our time. Understanding these sensibilities and their alignment can deepen our appreciation of the foundations of integral consciousness.

Tags: Esotericism, Integral Consciousness, New Religious Movements, Constance A. Jones

Integral Politics: A Swiss Perspective

Elke Fein and Hans-Peter Studer

Abstract: This article tells the story of the Swiss NGO “Integrale Politik (ip)” founded by about 20 people in November 2007 with the aim of becoming a regular political party at a later stage (www.integrale-politik.ch). We wish to make ip’s concepts and approaches known to a wider public. Inspired by integral thinkers such as Jean Gebser and Ken Wilber, ip develops its own ideas and interpretations of integral in view of the concrete challenges of Swiss and European politics.

Integral political culture is understood, for example, as including practices addressing all senses, turning political commitment into an experience of meaningful activity and an expression of joy, ease and celebrating life. One of the most important challenges currently faced by the group is to perpetuate and further develop this working culture as the organization grows. Its success in doing this seems to be one of the main reasons for ip’s attractiveness to the Swiss cultural creative sector in general and the growing integrally-minded community in particular to whom it gives an increasingly visible face and a clear-cut voice. At the same time, the Swiss political system offers particularly favourable preconditions and thus, a fruitful ground for new political ideas and experiments such as this integral political one.

Tags: integral economy, Integral Consciousness, integral society, integral working culture, awareness, Switzerland, spirituality, democracy, Elke Fein, integral politics, Hans-Peter Studer, creativity, holacracy

An Approach to Integral Consciousness and Politics: An Interview with Steve McIntosh

Russ Volckmann

Tags: Integral Consciousness, politics, Volckmann, McIntosh

Jean Gebser: Das Integrale Bewusstsein

Kai Hellbusch

Zusammenfassung: Um den Begriff des integralen Bewusstseins bei Jean Gebser deutlich werden zu lassen, werden die Bewusstseinsstrukturen in ihrem konzeptionellen Stellenwert erläutert, bevor jede einzelne vorgestellt wird. Die Kenntnis der bisherigen Bewusstseinsstrukturen ist Voraussetzung für die Kenntnis des integralen Bewusstseins, das sich aber nicht in der Integration des Früheren erschöpft, sondern seine eigene Aufgabe hat: die Realisierung der Zeit, also die Konkretion der den Bewusstseinsstrukturen zugehörigen Zeitformen. Dadurch entsteht eine neue Freiheit, die als bewusste Annäherung an das Göttliche, den „Ursprung“, zu verstehen ist.
Abstract: The Swiss-German philosopher Jean Gebser is introduced as the first to describe the integral worldview in detail. The author sketches Gebser’s biography, explains his basic assumption of a universal consciousness from which basic structures of consciousness emerge, and describes the different stages of consciousness development from archaic to magic to mythic to mental to integral. The integral structure of consciousness is presented in its main characteristics as an attitude towards the world, to ourselves and in particular to time.

Tags: Zeit, Structures of consciousness, mutation, universal origin (Ursprung), new reality, time, Kai Hellbusch, Bewusstseinsstrukturen, integrales Bewusstsein, Konstitutionstheorie, Integral Consciousness, neue Wirklichkeit

Integral Review

A Transdisciplinary and Transcultural Journal For New Thought, Research, and Praxis