I think this post by Brian at Zaadz encapsulates what a lot of us are hoping for, in terms of a next generation, conscious, connected, internet.

It certainly tracks with some of the "future-gazing", I've been spouting off here., but of course, more down to earth, and  more experience with "social networks".

Rating systems

Skillful Means

Portfolio analysis

Great to see someone running with the ball!

A new blog was brought to my attention, that seems to have a really unique focus. 

Called Composition, Service Compassion, Photography, there is a real focus on that CAPTURED MOMENT of awareness, where the mind stops - and briefly - there is a pause in meditative reflection.  And this is reflected in the photographs.

As well, there is a focus on service, isn't something that I have linked to much here, and I need to do more of it...

Jeff was kind enough to leave a comment last week,  and in passing, he reminded me of something I was going to post on. 

Namely, he says this: "Which would be more or less a rejection of my work as an integrally-informed coach/consultant. Which would be more or less a rejection of my purpose. And me.)"

I completely relate to this, and I wonder who else does so?

My observation is that sensitive, intelligent guys, if they "grok" Ken Wilber - there's a pretty natural tendency to say "My life purpose is to be THAT type of coach/counselor, and help people get their lives together!"

Of course, maybe I am projecting.

But this is a common thing in literature, inspirational literature ABOUT the WORLD and IDEALS, that also motivates -

People who read Ayn Rand's Fountainhead, everyone starts to see themselves as:

"The hero, Howard Roark, is Rand's ideal, a noble soul par excellence, an architect who is firmly and serenely devoted to his own ideals and believes that no man should copy the style of another in any field, especially architecture. All the other characters in the novel demand that he renounce his values, but Roark maintains his integrity. Unlike traditional heroes who launch into long and passionate monologues about their integrity and the unfairness of the world; Roark, in contrast, does it with a disdainful, almost contemptuous taciturnity and laconicism."

Same thing with Herman Hesse - the idealist Siddartha becomes a role model of emulation.

Talking to a lot of people about Wilber - I think there could be a lot of the same dynamic going on.  The idealized version of wanting to help, of thinking of integral as the "life passion", etc. 

I think it is also a TRUE inspiration - it certainly is true for me - but I also wanted to point out that there is a certain literary device being employed, that flows from Wilber's work, that all of us feel, when reading it - and that same type of literary device works the same way (but with different CONTENT) for other writers.

I don't know if this was a concious decision on Ken's part or not, but for me, it's an interesting phenomenon.

Take a look at this introduction -

Fitness, education, arts, community, religious life -

There's talks, such as this one on Kabalah and Eros.

I pointed this out last year, but I hadn't actually checked out the San Francisco page. 

All you really need for the Integral Community Center, is to model the JCC, have an adjunct be California Institute of Integral Studies. 

And then because a lot of us are interested in the "new new" thing, have a section - a couple of rooms, a program, etc - devoted to "experimental practices"

Anyone got a couple million dollars - to get this started?

:)

From Paul I am pointed to the University study, about the devaluation of music - because of too easy access.

I say again, this is a real phenomenon, when things are too easy, when there is too much choice - there is a disincentive to engage in them. 

In a way, that's a good reason to have a full Integral Practice - it remains challenging through your life - but it also is important to not have TOO many choices for creating your integral practice -as this can remain a disincentive.

We've been having fun here over at Integral Practice (or maybe just me) with the notion of feminine and masculine.  For example, Jean's comment made me chuckle mightily:

"Ebuddha! Boy, you're just hankering for a masculine/feminine slapdown aren't you? At least your comments on GenSit over the David Jon/Victoria dialogue, and now this would seem to indicate. At any rate, let me go put on my magic grrl power Docs, and let's see if we can sort this out.

Ok, for the freakin' record, I never said that ILP in and of itself is hypermasculine. I said the ILP Kit is hypermasculine, and to me there is a big difference."

Sorry about that Jean!


At any rate, the whole comment is worth reading - and for me, it brings up a couple of important points.

How to define what is masculine and feminine, as these energies interpenetrate each other, within each person.  To a degree that I'm not sure how you can do things but have general percentages - "ITP is 80% masculine, in it's current form", "that statement is 50% ignorant of feminine realities", etc, etc.

Also, another point this brings up, in regards to the limitations of reality and messy egos, what they need to grow:

Let's say you are very good at structure, and at your "practices".  You meditate every day, do your yoga twice a week, run 3 times a week, do a heart practice nightly, go to group awareness once every two weeks, hang out with your friends once a week, spend enough quality time with your significant other,  as well as have your work, which you enjoy (and is on a strict 8 to 5 schedule as well.)

This regularity, and balance - it's a good life, a whole life, and a full life.  

But does it lead to transformation?  As Jean as pointed out, an "imbalance", an injustice - something UNcomfortable, out of one's "control", something challenging, this is as important for growth as a stable pursuit of excellence. 

Let's say one has all of the above in terms of integral practice - aren't there aspects of life that are missing - say, are you really ever challenged about your personal egoic crap?  If you are disciplined, it's really easy to hide a sense of smugness, superiority, rightness with a capital R, in a life like that, wouldn't you say?

I wonder what a nondual,  integral "encounter group" would look like?  

The stuff one learns about oneself in encounter groups, if you are simply falling into the non-dual consciousness, or responsibly going on with your practices - you may never bring sufficient attention to, and may easily learn to camouflage.

But to bring TOO much attention to these personal deficiencies - well, you are back to accepting the FALSE - as in belief in a separate, limited self - as REAL.

Thoughts on the above?

Also, I'm going to attempt to make the process of commenting here a bit easier in the next couple of months.  I've had some feedback that it's a bit of a pain...