Integral Practice

Steve Pavlina on Self-Discipline (and my thoughts on the power of Habit)

ebuddha — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:04:31 -0700

Here is the link.

Some interesting parts:

The way to build self-discipline is analogous to using progressive weight training to build muscle. This means lifting weights that are close to your limit. Note that when you weight train, you lift weights that are within your ability to lift. You push your muscles until they fail, and then you rest.

Comment: This seems to be true for some things, but not others. Example: I can be disciplined for meditation and exercise, but not, say, IT study.

It’s a mistake to try to push yourself too hard when trying to build self-discipline. If you try to transform your entire life overnight by setting dozens of new goals for yourself and expecting yourself to follow through consistency starting the very next day, you’re almost certain to fail. This is like a person going to the gym for the first time ever and packing 300 pounds on the bench press. You will only look silly.

Again, I'm not sure how true this is. If I set a goal of 30 minutes meditation, and 30 minutes exercise, I will do those goals, but if I set a goal of 10 minutes guitar playing (which I love) or 10 minutes IT study (which is okay, interesting), that I don't do.

So something else is going on, besides building the "self-discipline" muscle.

Similarly, if you’re very undisciplined right now, you can still use what little discipline you have to build more. The more disciplined you become, the easier life gets. Challenges that were once impossible for you will eventually seem like child’s play. As you get stronger, the same weights will seem lighter and lighter.

Perhaps you try to work a solid 8-hour day without succumbing to distractions, and you can only do it once. The next day you fail utterly. That’s OK. You did one rep of 8 hours. Two is too much for you. So cut back a bit. What duration would allow you to successfully do 5 reps (i.e. a whole week)? Could you work with concentration for one hour a day, five days in a row? If you can’t do that, cut back to 30 minutes or whatever you can do. If you succeed (or if you feel that would be too easy), then increase the challenge (i.e. the resistance).

That example simply isn't my reality. My own experience is, you truly need at least 30 days, maybe 90, for a new practice to become habitual. (This is also something that Pavlina says, which is true, in my experience.)

But what will happen with a "new" practice, practiced independently, is that I'll keep it up for a few days, then fall off the wagon, then sporadically continue, until I give up again. (Or come back to that practice a couple of weeks later.)

So, in my case at least (and I'm being honest here about my lack of self-discipline) it seems to me that there are two options, for those who obviously never learned true self-discipline, but simply learned enough to "get by".

a. Immersion: Especially for any new trait, the "AA" route is useful. Full immersion, and daily support, for the new trait you are attempting to instill - until it becomes a habit.
b. Immersion again - in a program to learn "self-discipline" as a trait, in and of itself, separate from any actual practice.
c. Bill mentioned this once - work with one's psychology, or inner voices, to understand what inside of one's psychology is indulging in self-sabatoge of growth.

I would criticize Stve Pavlina, actually, from presenting a "system", or a guide of how-to's, that in a lot of ways, "assumes the close". Meaning, assumes the self-discipline already exists, with which to "improve".
The A to B straight line of self-improvement that Pavlina endorses, while sounding wonderful, glosses over the challenges to the "normal" person. As such, is of very limited use, to effectively creating change.

Motivational Hacks - and slouching towards achievement

ebuddha — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:22:23 -0800

From Zen Habits:

Thanks to Integral Options for the link. Good advice for integral practice.

For myself, sporadically keep various goals. Sometimes it is better, sometimes worse.

That's something you don't see the Steve Pavlina's of the world talk about.

For me, there are three versions of what to do - "what I must do", and "what I want to do that's rewarding", and "what I do that fun, but an empty time waster".

1."Must do", includes things like going to work, cleaning up, paying bills, etc.

2. "What I want to do" are the various integral practices that make for a fulfilling, balanced life. Exercise, meditation, volunteering, playing my guitar, learning a language, tech study, etc. Even better, expanding my career, finding the next opportunity, integraly study, etc.

3. "What I have fun doing that's an empty time waster" is things like browsing the internet for hours on end, playing a video game, reading a pedestrian sci-fi novel, etc. Watch movies, comedy shows with my sweetie.

I'm not too bad at the first category on the list. And some of the activities that would be in category 2, I do well - I meditate regularly, and I exercise regularly. But some of the other goals there, I do much less.

Now category 3? 3, I'm pretty good at. If I spent as much time on category 2, as I do on category 3, wow, I'd be an accomplished guy!! (Internet, and the tv, as wonderful as it is, is a great tool for mental masturbation).

My longterm goal is to substitute more category 2 activities, for category 3 activities. In terms of time.

And I've done a lot on this ground -

a. Visualized my motivations - daily
b. Setup umpteen schedules for activities.
c. Started a regular practice of activities - that then falls away.
d. Attempted various, and different, structures, to do more activities.

Still, 3 always ends up being what i do more of. I fall of the wagon. I get distracted (except for meditation and exercise). I go for three days, then go three days off, or a week off.

I've probably gone on a self-improvement kick - attempting to do more of category two activities more than category three activies - more than one hundred times in my life.

It's REALLY annoying to read these self-improvement guys, such as Pavlina, who basically don't acknowledge the move towards the baseline, of human nature.

Funny enough, I'm old enough now, that I don't "beat myself up" about doing less of category 2 than category 3. First off, lots of time I spend "doing nothing" is spent in a pretty incredible place, where the "I" slips away, and only Being is happening.

But it is also pretty clear that the inherited habits (my own childhood background, was lacking both in any form of wealth, or much actual examples of spending a lot of time in category 2), tend to dominate actual living, the activity of this body.

Which is a shame, really - as the information on "how best to live", is pretty much all over the internet. Working with resistance, changing those habits, moving out of baseline - as Wilber has said, what ACTUALLY causes change, in a person, what ends up actually motivating a person, despite the tens of thousands of hours of research, is still a mystery.

Big Mind and Indwelling God

ebuddha — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:33:57 -0800

Great post from Per at Mystery of Existence, on Big Mind and Indwelling God:

So where Big Mind is impersonal and everywhere, the indwelling God is personal and right here, in the heart space of the physical body. The experience of it, at least for me right now, is of a fragment of God for this particular individual soul and human self, and a fragment that includes and reflects the whole of God. It is not diminished in any way, yet also right here and for this particular individual.

Make sure to go read the whole post. I'd love to see Chris at Indistinct Union comment on this as well, as he has commented on other MOE posts - and this seems right up his alley.

Integral Cognition

ebuddha — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 11:51:04 -0800

A great post by David Jon here.

"Yet, I was still taken up with the promise of what a comprehensive philosophy would look like. It wasn't Ken Wilber's vision that held me in thrall anymore. It was the underlying nature of a comprehensive philosophy–i.e., a non-reductionistic philosophy–that I sensed as being the original basis for my resonance with Ken Wilber's work and what I might now choose to call 'Integral Cognition.'"

I would agree with this - and I find that those who attempt to embrace the highest forms of - Spirit, Mind, Body, Other, Soul, Skillful Means In Living - these are the people I want to be my "tribe" so to speak.

Grounded in the world.
In communion with the Divine Soul
Self aware, of one's own shadows and B.S.
Learning, giving, growing, creating - "He not busy being born is busy dying".
Relaxing into the Buddha's smile, that is perfect as it is.

The O.G. of Integral - Yoga

ebuddha — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 17:34:27 -0700

A good case for this is made here!

Finer Details in Non-Dual

ebuddha — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:04:29 -0700

A good post from Per.

Also note, his blog has changed. He is blogging from absentofi.blogspot.com.

The Bliss Circuit - Leave Your Integral, Analytic, Blogging Mind at the Door

ebuddha — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 10:56:55 -0700

READ THIS FIRST - before watching the video below.

One of the things that I think is very important to understand - in spite of our blogs, in spite of our intelligent minds, in spite of our wise, synthetic analysis -

Blogging - at this point - is coming from a specific band of human capability. And this band - the intellectual, the silent awareness, the peaceful watching - is actually one of the least satisfying ways to touch the Divine.

Now - it happens to be the way that I am most comfortable with. But there are a lot of assumptions about "how to behave" that come with this perspective - that are important to be aware of.

I spent enough time in my 20's "checking my mind at the door", that I can assert that the other ways in which we touch God - matter more to people.

The bliss-devotional aspect of the Divine, is, for most people, simply more important to the Spirit - to connection - then any amount of theorizing and satori.

When you are really INTO the bliss-devotion aspect of your SELF - at least in my own experience - the analytic portion of self is pretty "checked out". I would say that to the analytic portion of self, the bliss-devotion aspect seems fundamentally ALIEN.

"WTF are those crazy people doing??"

But they aren't crazy, really - they are riding on a wave of bliss-devotion.

It goes without saying that this wave of bliss-devotion is RIPE for manipulation of people - which makes it dangerous. But it also is the juice of Spirit - and as such, needs to respected, and be accepted in the integral conversation.

I found the following on YouTube - watch it when you get a chance. I don't know anything about this particular guru - not the history, not anything - but I can pretty much tell you, simply by the characteristics -that as silly as this guy seems to be, it most likely is the case that this guy, and a large percentage of the worshippers - are riding on a wave of bliss-devotion - where you must dance!

Finally, a real question - if you find the following soccer behavior acceptable and fun (which I do), do you feel similarly about the below? If not, why not?

Jean waxes wise on the 321 process, and other thoughts on truly being "present" as Source

ebuddha — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:55:26 -0800

Go read here, but the key lines in my opinion:

One comment I have about the 321 process, however, is that in and of itself, it might only clear away minor emotional charges. I agree it's a great tool for identifying where projections might exist in relationships - and if you're lucky enough to be someone who's fairly clear and free flowing, then 321 might be all you'll ever need. But for deeply embedded or particularly snarled emotional stuff, some actual therapy and additional energy work is probably going to be required. The farther back in time an "emotional charge" is originating - in other words the farther back into your childhood or infancy a pathology goes - then the more difficult it will be to truly discharge that emotional energy and clear that block or snarl. Or you might find that you identify or clear a projection with one person, only to find the pattern repeating itself in other relationships, over and over again. It's like playing that damn gopher game at the carnival - you bash one, only to have another pop up right next to it.

The "mystery" of both our own personal emotional content and interactions, and then the emotional (and power) dynamics with others are worth commenting on, as this gets short shrift in integralism. I think you also must have been DOING emotional work for awhile - either in therapy, or as part of some group process - to truly be able to grok this level that Jean is speaking about. (deeply embedded or snarled emotional stuff).

For myself, I was in therapy for a few years - and then also had the following.

A long time ago now, I participated in a MUCH different community, and a much different emotional practice. I won't say too much about the community, because there were definite "cultish tendencies" happening, that I don't want to reward, even by mentioning - but there were some valuable lessons as well.

As far as the practice went, it was really "turning up the volume" on emotions, and giving it to God, praying with the emotional energy for clarity and for God to enter.

One of the revelatory aspects of that work, was FEELING - on a deep, existential level - just how much how I act, and everyone acts - is based on a constricted, egotistical self-justifying, emotional and defensive ego structure, rather than truly being PRESENT.

Basically, I - and we - act out of bure bullshit a hell of a lot more than I - and we - think.

Imagine this scenario -

Every time you act out of something other than "love" or "truth", or "wisdom" - and the same with others around you - you feel it, like a pain, or like a nails across a chalkboard.

When someone acts with a very constricted emotionality -
When I or someone justifies their position
When I or someone gossips,
when I or someone is mean,
when I or someone is defensive,
when I or someone is irrational,
when I or someone makes unnecessary conflict.

You feel it. Like a throbbing toothache, or a stab in the heart, I feel the consequences of being divorced from God, in how I defend, in every rude comment, in every lost soul on the street, in every snobbish intellectual commentary proclaiming union with source (as opposed to actual union with source)

That ability to feel separation from source, from being present - this was both a blessing and a curse (and in the end, more of a curse).

And the thing is - I would feel on a gut level that the daily actions and interactions from separation from source, quite outnumber the interaction from being one with source.

And yet, nothing can be done about it - I feel my own limitations to "act" in a more loving, true way, and definitely with others, I cannot do much, except to feel the separation. Although slowly, I would end up being more present.

As one can imagine, confrontation was sometimes utilized in this mode of interaction, and being made aware of acting from that which is not source - "acting from illusion", as the case is made.

This was sometimes painful and rewarding - as truth is rewarding, when the confrontation was focused on my own limitations/games.

And sometimes this was painful and not rewarding - when the confrontation was meant to prop up the cultish aspects of the organization.

This "emotional and existential separation from God" - that can be delved into and felt by anyone, and with it my own and other people's ACTS are also felt - as coming from separation or not, or some combiation of the two.

It's a powerful ability, but a bit of a hopeless one as well.

At any rate - the integral approach offers nothing I have seen to facilitate growth on this particular level. This level of emotional and gut truthfulness of being separate - acting out of fear, ego, greed, etc (seven deadly sins and more) or acting out of a deep, solid, loving, and strong, emotional open and flexible- "real" presence.

Are you LOVE or are you separate? Who and what do you SERVE? In this moment? And this moment?

On the other hand, experiences of oneness can happen on a level OUTSIDE the normal mode of mind/body emotional and will interactions. And focusing on the separation AT THE LEVEL of emotion and will - is this useful, or is this in itself, reinforcing the separate world??

At the end, I had to disconnect myself from the process - not only because of the cultish tendencies of the organization (I always kept a distance from the org), but also because the process ended up being too painful - the daily grind of feeling separation both in myself and around me, mellowed by the sense of emotional merging with the Divine that the practice encouraged.

And now, I have more peace. Less agony/ecstasy. Also, I am still "aware" of the B.S., of separation - but now I "see" it, rather than "feeling" it, on an ongoing basis.

And I don't know whether this is good or bad. During that time, I was more emotionally connected to others - and people felt this - but I was suffering a hell of a lot more. Now, I am less emotionally connected to others - but I am much happier and more at peace.

I've wandered far afield from Jean's original post.

But what is clear is - and this goes back to the issue of things that are emotionally and gut charged - there is very little in integralism itself which deals with the immediacy of FEELING the daily separation from source, and how to integrate this, on a gut and emotional level. There is a lot of "assuming the close" - we are already one with THAT SOURCE - which of course is also TRUE, at one level.

I'm not sure this core PERSONAL level - of being truly present or being separate - must be worked through to truly be FULLY realized.

But my gut feeling is, yes, this PERSONAL knot of separation must be untangled, or released.

Coolmel - expanding the developmental line of blogging

ebuddha — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:35:20 -0800

Great post from coolmel, regarding his flow of blogging - basically, he is "being blogged" by flow, rather than being a guy just blogging.

Now - is this just a function of creativity? I posted this as a comment - that creativity is touched by God, and can flow through any type of activity - Quarterbacks have reported it while playing football, dancers have reported it while dancing, scientists have reported it, etc.

Now, is "flow", its own type of realization? A glimpse into the realization of what already is so? Or is flow a glimpse of future human's capabilities?

I would hate to say that "blogging is spiritual practice", as clearly blogging is not physical practice.

But of course, divine creeps in everywhere - so is flow and inspiration from the self, the super-self, or the Divine?

Or all three?

Jean at the Human Bean has a pointer to the type of sychronicity and flow that Rommel speaks about - worth a read to hear Philip K. Dick speak.

On The Forming of ILP and ITP Groups

ebuddha — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 11:07:00 -0800

As I mentioned yesterday, there is a lot going on regarding the forming of ILP Groups.

There is an ILP Group happening in the Bay Area - meeting in Berkely - and this one is certified by Integral Institute, as it is led by Terry Patten.

I am figuring out whether my time is free enough to join. I hope that I can free my time up.

And then, in Seattle, there is a lot going on in Integral.

Included in this, is the work being done by the organization that includes my favorite integral and whole life economist, Daniel O'Connor (blogging at Catallaxis).

His organization is creating iPraxis Practitioners Circle, which is a very cool concept.

So more and more happening!

Interview with neuroscientist on the science of meditation

ebuddha — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 16:35:45 -0800

Here's the link from Mind Hack.

This is actually a follow-up to a previous post, about a month ago.

IF (and a big if) that for every consciousness state, there is a corresponding and measurable neurological activity - in the future, we could have "Patterns of expected activity" for the main modes of higher consciousness.

Union with God as other? One particular pattern of brain waves
Nature mysticism? Another pattern
Nirvakalpa samadhi? Another pattern of brain waves.

Meditation masters (and teachers) take note - there may be "minimum standards" required for teaching meditation. Can you achieve the accepted pattern for nirvakalpa samadhi? Then why are you talking about it?

Think of it - neurological proof as a necessary -but not sufficient - requirement for teaching meditation...

Update - Link fixed - thanks Vince.

From the SELF blog Ramana Maharshi on Sri Aurobindo

ebuddha — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 11:40:06 -0800

Here is the link - a very good conversation, that brings up a whole host of questions.

Wilber is, in a very real way, the current modern exemplar of an evolutionary spirituality that Aurobindo in the East, first proposed. As such, Wilber's Institute and work - like Aurobindo before him - tends towards a comprehensiveness and account of the world as it is in its form, as well as it is in it's formlessness, and towards a progress IN this world, and accounting for the various forms of this world.

Ramana Maharshi is having none of this:

"The state of Atmanishta [being fixed in the Self], devoid of the individual feeling of 'I', is the supreme state. In this state there is no room for thinking of objects, nor for this feeling of individual being. There is no doubt of any kind in this natural state of being-consciousness-bliss. So long as there is the perception of name and form in oneself, God will appear with form, but when the vision of the formless reality is achieved there will be no modifications of seer, seeing and seen. That vision is the nature of consciousness itself, non-dual and undivided. It is limitless, infinite and perfect"

Given the limited apperception - and availability to - the non-dual state - even reading Maharshi's description, elicits a change in perception for me. A wonder seizes me - that peaceful, joyful peace arises, not attached to any object.

But there is still a WORLD that I live in, that I work in, that I have relationships in. That impinges upon me.

Say there are 100,000 life lessons to learn, for your time here on earth. Navigating that absolute commitment to the formless- that Maharshi is a stand-in for - is only a small part of the lessons that life can teach you here on earth.

And then the other 95,000 lessons that life has for you, in terms of giving, receiving, communicating, learning, growing - these lessons are what the "integral", and "skillful means" concepts point to.

Walking that tightrope between the two, is my own personal task.

Cross-posted at Generation Sit

The Physical and Psychological Effects of Meditation

ebuddha — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 11:47:26 -0800

Since I've posted some about meditation, it's effects, and a few days ago pointed to some research showing changes in the brain for meditation, I thought it would be worthwhile for those who have both a spiritual and research bent, to mention a good place to start regarding these investigations.

The Physical and Psychological Effects of Meditation, published by the Institute of Noetic Sciences, is as good a place as any to start. You'll find a lot more references from here, to other sources and places that are continuing research now.

Michael Murphy is co-writer of this article, which makes sense to me, since as a book, The Future of The Body is as good a place as any to start as a reference book for studies on meditation, or studies of human potential in general.

The two main tomes in my library during the 90's, were SES, and The Future of the Body.

For myself, I thought for awhile that I would have loved to get paid to do the type of research that is investigated by the Institute of Noetic Sciences. I entertained getting a PhD there, but I couldn't imagine being on the hook for 80K to 100K at the end of it.

For the spiritual research crowd, is there another comprehensive reference work that is just as important?

Let me know!

Also, this TYPE of research, or at least the analysis and recommendation of this type of research, can be forwarded by the blogosphere. We are starting to do some of this with IntegralWiki, and the framework of Michael Bauwens.

But, it goes slowly, since the demands of life interfere.

Google Base Has Released - It's Potential for Evaluating Integral Models

ebuddha — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 13:14:29 -0800

Now that Google Base has been release, it's time to talk about how Google Base can contribute to the open source accumulation of spiritual realization. This builds on yesterday's post, about data collection to evaluate and build models of behavior and practice which can be confirmed or disconfirmed.

Take a look at Google Base, for the moment. I'll have much more to say later.

Vince Describes Breaking Down Vince

ebuddha — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:38:03 -0800

Vince has begun the reflection on his 6 week retreat, with his first installment.

Definitely go check it out!

A Couple of Good Posts

ebuddha — Mon, 17 Oct 2005 12:59:10 -0700

First this one at Indistinct Union.

It's pretty hard to bring a holistic and spiritually informed view to subjects like "outsourceing", but CJ has a go of it.

Second, the Human Bean points me to the Ken Wilber's Towards A Comprehensive Theory of Subtle Energies.

What I like about this article are the diagrams. But I really wish that Wilber would get better at sourcing some of the major work that has been done in this area.

For example, as "new-agey" as it may be, there's quite a lot of work on subtle energies done by Barbara Brennan. As a former NASA physicist, she is very aware of the the empirical methodology as well.

Please feel free to correct me, but at this moment I can't think of anytime Wilber has referenced this.

(By the by, does Wilber employ a stable of research assistants? Even if he would "outsource" this to India, I would think the comprehensive nature of "The Theory of Everything" would require fact-checkers and research assistants...)

Preparing A Program for The Essential 5 Practices

ebuddha — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 09:54:31 -0700

I saw this worksheet on preparing for an exercise program from Ryan. What is excellent about this, is a modified version of this program can be utilized in any integral practice module that one is beginning as a new practice. My own interest is in continuing to explore the 5 Essential Practices of an Integral Practitioner

The Essential Self-Evaluations to Undertake for the Integral Practioner In the Modern World

ebuddha — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 08:53:21 -0700

Recently, I had some time to do thinking about Integral Practice and I've realized, that I have strayed a bit from my earlier thoughts about what I was going to do with this site.

Partly, because my thoughts have evolved, and my interests go to other things besides simply practice - right now, Holistic and Integral Theory, Non-Duality, and evolving technology.

So, getting back to the basics of Integral Practice, here's the beginning of a series of posts, regarding what are the ESSENTIAL practices to take up, to be a productive, loving, integral practicioner in the world.

1st Tier - Essentials - or The Five Petals

Career and Money
Health and Exercise
Spiritual Practice
Interpersonal Relationships (Romance, Family Friends, Community)
Psychological Health and Stability

2nd Tier - Self-Improvement and Self-Actualization
Creativity
Productivity
Individual Passion Projects (Intellectual Research, Spiritual Retreats, Community Service, Website and Design, Auto Mechanics, Carpentry, Gardening, Hiking, Adventures, Travel, etc, etc.).
Volunteerism, Environmental and Political Action

3rd Tier - Mastery

Of any of the above subjects, whether money, creativity, building, growing communities, spiritual understanding, leadership etc.

4th Tier - Genius, Improvement of world's conditions, Realization

Profound impact and improvement in the lifeworld. Example - Ramana Maharshi, Gandhi, Einstein, Berners-Lee, Dali, etc.

My own inclination, is that the five areas above in essentials are the building blocks of what needs to be practiced, in order for 2nd through 4th tier flowering to arise.

Now, there's a caveat to this - and the caveat is, if one's area of expertise/genius is evident, and one's dedication to this area so fierce, then life usually excuses a person from having to be "well-rounded" in having all five areas flowing. However, this is usually apparent, because you will have "backers" who will be willing to fund your genius - or you have gone out of your way to learn/study/teach in the optimal "social centers" for your genius. So your life centers around that and nothing else, and it has always been so.

Even still, greater happiness usually will occur, in paying attention to all the 5 areas, no matter who you are.

In the next few weeks, I'm going to be examining each area of life, with the following template:

a. Personal self-evaluations regarding each area, that actually result in some self-knowledge.
b. A recommendation of a basic practice, that one can do daily, and also an "all-in" path, that utilizes the retreat or "basic training" style of grounding a new practice.
c. Directing, through links, to the type of online support, community, and volunteerism, that is essential for "regular people" to be successful in taking on and sticking with a new practice.

Back from I-Wet

ebuddha — Mon, 01 Aug 2005 09:26:05 -0700

I was actually sick on the Thursday and Friday before the weekend - so I wasn't sure how I would be during the Integral training weekend.

I did end up being pretty tired - but the experiences were pretty cool. I'll say more later today or tomorrow, but I have a lot of work in the office to catch up on now.

I Get I-Wet

ebuddha — Tue, 26 Jul 2005 11:03:18 -0700

I'll be at the IWET Integral Weekend Experiential Training this weekend, in San Francisco. (With this blog being named "Integral Practice", I sort of have to go - don't I?)

It will be interesting to see exactly what can be accomplished in two days - we'll see!

I'm also hopeful that there will be enough local "practitioners", that we can form some type of "IP Club" - hopefully not too snooty:

"Chad, I say, I'll be down at the IP Club this afternoon - will you be around?

"Ken, yes, that sounds FABulous!".

"Absolutely SMASHING!! We'll meet for tea, tennis, and meditation!"

We'll see - is Integral Practice, because of the variety of disciplines one can choose from, end up being a solitary pursuit? Or can the practices be generalized enough that the "power of group practice" is engaged?

For myself, I've always been a big proponent of laid back clubs - the debate club, the chess club, the long distance running club. For me, these are perfect, combining the collegiality, motivation and companionship of other people (one of the best ways to STAY with your practice), without all the power issues that come with an official organization, with a GURU.

Great meditation rant from over at Key 23

ebuddha — Fri, 08 Jul 2005 16:03:39 -0700

Meditation for revolution indeed.

Integral Practice: The Sham of Practice

ebuddha — Tue, 05 Jul 2005 09:40:15 -0700

When I first saw the title of this post on GenSit I thought, "Oh no. They've found me out!"

Ok, not really. But if you have a chance, go read it - it's a good meditation on both the necessity of practice, and yet being careful not to hold the "practice" to an unnecessary state of perfection.

Challenges of Measurement and Feedback in Integral

ebuddha — Fri, 20 May 2005 11:42:26 -0700

This is going to be a bit of a naive post - more of a set of questions, than an answer. I have a feeling that readers will be able to help me out by pointing me to information. I've spoken before about how feedback works, and how for some areas (such as science) feedback works really well, and how for other areas, feedback is quite a challenge.

More on selflessness

ebuddha — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 20:45:35 -0700

I wonder if this goes too far, but it's also a great corrective to the U.S. attitudes.

Practicing Selflessness

ebuddha — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 20:43:47 -0700

Practicing Selflessness,

No comment necessary.

Liveblogging Ken Wilber and Andrew Cohen

ebuddha — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 00:15:37 -0700

In an earlier post, I said I would give an analysis of the recent Integral Naked dialogue between Ken Wilber and Andrew Cohen. As an experiment, Ive decided to do a form of liveblogging. I remember this first being done during the presidential debates and I have decided to use this format, for commenting on this dialogue. NOTE: This isnt really liveblogging since Im not that fast a typer (or thinker). This is more listening, stopping when something is interesting, and then even playing the interesting segment back again, to make sure I get it correctly. My commentary will be in italics. At the end, will be my analysis. At any rate, with that introduction, lets go:

Reflections on Skillful Means, Reviews and Future Projects

ebuddha — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 19:26:09 -0700

I have been reflecting on the development of this site, and some of the development of my own views. I've started to come to the realization that the concept of Integral Practice is probably more richly reflected in the concept of Skillful Means.

Naked Reflection on Integral Spritual Practice

ebuddha — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:11:08 -0800

For at least a month I've wanted to comment on this article.

The gentleman at Naked Reflections is quite bright and sensitive, his claim of "uncommonly unaccomplished" notwithstanding.

But he brings up a few points on spiritual practice that I've heard elsewhere.

1. Laziness
2. Lack confidence that practice will lead to results.
3. Spiritual mastery isn't all it is cracked up to be.

This ends up being more of an introduction, that leads to a positive dispostion of entertaining and integral practice, and then contemplating the right framework for him.

But there seems to me to be a couple of points of misunderstanding in the article, that I'd like to share my opinion on (yes, I know, I like to share my opinion...)

a. The concept of mastery, and the idea of "final destination".
b. A related point - the journey and the goal.

Here's the relevant quote -

"The first is sheer laziness. It’s distressingly difficult for me to get up off my literal and figurative butt and work hard at anything. And genuine spiritual practice is nothing if not hard work. Second, I lack confidence that even the most diligent practice could yield tangibly positive results in my case. This is because I tend to see true mastery of spiritual discipline, like mastery of most other disciplines except even more so, as requiring tremendous raw talent. Exhaustive, skillful practice might be necessary to cultivate that
talent into the radiant flower of spiritual realization, but without the fertile seed and soil of exceptional talent, no amount or quality of cultivation will produce a flower. It’s a huge stretch for me to see myself as talented with the potential for anything approaching spiritual mastery. After all, how many devotees of any spiritual path become enlightened no matter how long, hard, and skillfully they work at it?"

I think it is fundamentally, absolutely important, that the focus isn't on a "goal", but is on the journey. I can remember, way back when now, my first week of meditation. Even the first week of meditation, I experienced a bit of calming, a bit of peace, a slight bit more clarity (or I convinced myself I did!)

If you are a "normal" person, as nagarjuna claims to be (and as I am), then you have average motivation. I'm not going to be winning a swimming event in the Olympics, or jogging a 26 mile marathon, or becoming a grand weightlifter, any time soon.

And yet, I swim, I jog, and I lift weights.

Do I have a goal? Sort of - to stay healthy. But really, the secret goal is to get my endorphins flowing. I exercise because it feels good. It's a positive addiction.

For me, I found the secret, to make exercise good, most of the time. I approach my "edge", where I'm breathing hard, or working hard, but I never blow through to where I'm exhausted. (I used to push myself as hard as I could. That was when I stopped exercising!)

For me, meditation is the same way. The "bennies", on the path, are numerous.

I'll be walking along, the day after a meditation, and my mind disappears in the clouds, and only awareness is present.

I'll be walking through the park, seeing children play, and I'll be seized by a glorious love, close to weeping, my heart melting.

I can sit in a room, with the candles on, and simply be overtaken and entranced with awe, at the candles dancing (again the mind leaves)

Etcetera.

These are the positive things, the light on the way. There are, of course, shadows at play as well. Boredom that comes up in meditation. Deep, intolerant sensitivity. Emotional issues - deep grief, envy, etc. Incredible physcial discomfort. These will all arise.

But these negatives are the "slow burn" of the meditative process, as the psychic processes run through. Just like the "burn" of working out, I attempt to be at the edge of the shadow, without it overwhelming me.

And the postives, the good things, outweigh the negatives. So the practice, the journey, is worth it.

Right use of blogs in integral practice

ebuddha — Thu, 03 Feb 2005 23:27:47 -0800

I've been thinking a bit about the place of blogs in an integral practice - how can blogs be useful, given their unique "type" so to speak?

First off, let's start with the negative.

In silence, awareness, and being-bliss, there is the radiance shining.

Blogs, for the most part - are the opposite of that.

"Notice me! Notice me!" said the blogger. After all I (and not the I-I) have something to say!"

Not to mention, blogs are a very mind-y enterprise.

In this sense the "level" that is touched by a blog, as by reading in general, is a pale reflection of reality - spiritual, emotional, physical.

I believe this is why most spiritually related blogs, don't have, say, the ongoing rat-a-tat-tat repetition that is seen in the political and technical blogs.

As that "thinking" mind, begins to become transparent, and awareness shines through, there isn't a need to live there, but much more a wish to simply "be". Be with the breath, be with the awe of silence, with the surfaces of physical reality revealing worlds in their transparency.

So how does this help? What's the usefulness, for practice, for understanding?

I can still think of a few things -

1. Open education and debate.

There are several challenges in living an integrated spiritual life - and some controversies. Blogs, and also group posting boards, are good ways to educate and get new points of view in the "how-to" of this, that we are living.

Examples:

I've mentioned it in a post, before, but I will again -

a. Right attitude to spiritual surrender, contrasted with spiritual cultism. Healthy independence, versus stubborn ego.

Here is Spiritual Safeguards.

This is a site that speaks of the danger of cults - from many angles.

It would go too far for me - while there is a list of "healthy" spiritual practices, this particular site is pretty fear based, and the "healthy" spiritual practices, well, aren't really a list of practices per se, but instead a nice set of values (no practices) and a nice, well laid out, restricted, box - have fun playing...

So this dichotomy - the healthy, functioning interdependent ego, or the rigid stubborn ego? What are the signposts for the edges?

b. Spiritual bazaar, or stick to a practice?

I'll tell the truth - I tend to LIKE mixing and matching, trying new spiritual practices - mainly because slightly DIFFERENT forms of transcendence are encountered. (I've mentioned this previously). I have an unfortunate habit (like my habit of cool tech gizmos) of looking for the "next big thing".

Luckily, I still maintain a base sitting practice. But it's easy to get distracted...

c. Teachers as CHARISMATIC DEMI-GODS, or teachers as ordinary humans?

If you've seen as many teachers as I have, there are sometimes where - well, you are just blasted by the spiritual power. You can be drenched, really, with power, melting sweetness, etc.

And yet, the same "spiritual athlete", for lack of a better word, can be an absolute abusive cad.

But, I've also been around "ordinary" teachers. That's fine too, but I don't get nearly as jazzed or inspired. It's like, "yeah, so what? 30 years of meditation, to kvetch at Spirit Rock?"

At any rate, all the above dichotomies - all can be usefully discussed in web logs. A lot of people contributing, openly sharing and learning, and the natural obsessiveness of blogs, I believe can provide a more grounded mental understanding of the above, and point people to the best solutions, as people share their experiences.

2. Shared experiences and personal stories - I know, I just used this, but it's true. I'm fighting with my girlfriend - how do i reconcile this with spiritual practice? What really is enthusing me, inspiring me? What is getting me down, and what's a challenge?

Personal stories become beloved stories that inspire, amuse, and occasionally gross you out.

3. Good practical information

Or how to get from a to b, to c. How to exercise right, eat right, meet new people, etc.

4. Outpourings of creativity, love, beauty.

.

Integral Organizations, Keep it Simple, Inspiring

ebuddha — Fri, 26 Nov 2004 18:27:28 -0800

In web design, we throw around an acronym KISS that stands for Keep It Simple Stupid. Know-it-all integral fan that I am, I want to suggest a version of this for integralism.