Integral Practice

What Enlightenment, Signing Off

ebuddha — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:02:14 -0700

Looks like What Enlightenment, the blog exposing the control tactics of Andrew Cohen, is signing off.

I can fully understand this, as at some point, you simply deal with - as much as possible - any abusive tactics thrown at you by an abusive guru, step away from the PAST, and then continue on into the now.

Still, lots of gratitude for the exposure, to Hal and friends. A quote:

Three former editors of What Is Enlightenment? magazine, including myself, spoke out strongly here about the abuses in Andrew Cohen's community. Other close students have also put their names on the line to attest to what went wrong with the community's beautiful dream of creating heaven on earth. The woman who financed Cohen's Foxhollow EnlightenNext world center wrote about how he unfairly took advantage of her vulnerability and largesse. Numerous other students have also contributed here, both named and anonymous, shedding light on the authoritarian abuses around Cohen, their causes and their harmful effects. In contrast, not one specific or credible factual denial has emerged from Andrew or anyone associated with him about what has been reported here in great detail and depth. Instead, we have only heard the refrain that we have failed to include the "context," as if any overarching purpose could justify the abuses described here and the pain they caused. No cry of "context" could obscure the devastating truth that the participants in this blog have had the courage to reveal.

The number of individuals alone, involved for many many years, high up in the organization, speak the tale, not to mention previous exposes, such as Mother of God, and Enlightenment Blues. That much smoke, over more than a decade, it speaks for itself. (When your mother outs you as an abusive control freak, while at one time an enthusiastic supporter, that is really strong evidence.)

Hal hopes for a final exposure, but this isn't usually how this happens. Most of the time, there is no "final exposure" for a guru. The guru or other followers, modulate their tactics a bit (which has happened with Cohen in this case, after the outing by WhatEnlightenment, and that is to the good), but the charisma, speaking ability, writing skills, etc, that initially attracted people, still operates, and still continues to attract people. How many older cult leaders, and their cults, still exist? Quite a lot, even after exposure.

And so it goes.

My own interest remains is to not have Cohen's spirit and energy contaminate Integral Institute, or Zaadz, but clearly both these organizations have taken a neutral "I see nothing! I know nothing!" mentality regarding Cohen, and do the branding thing together. Luckily, Cohen is fairly easy to avoid on Zaadz.

It's been demonstrated to my satisfaction that What Is Enlightenment magazine, doesn't have independence from Cohen. No "I disagree with what you say but will defend your right to WRITE it to the death" at What Is Enlightenment. As long as you know that, you are good to go.

Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha in BlogForm

ebuddha — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:52:14 -0700

I've been traveling, and have had no access to the internet for about a week. Today's the first day I am in a room with internet access.

Lots of stuff to ponder, when you have been away from the internet for a week.

At any rate, one important note, that I've seen from Hokai, is that Daniel Ingram has put his book, Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha, in blog format.

Worth reading, a bit at a time.

Dalai Lama a target of assassination by Al-Queda?

ebuddha — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 16:49:37 -0700

Actually, a link to another group which has cooperated with Al-Queda, but a lot of these Pakistan/Afghanistan Islamic groups exchange people, information and resources.

Here is the article. Notable quote:

A three-tier security ring has been thrown around the 72-year-old Buddhist head, who lives at Dharamsala, in the Himalayan foothills, Indian police spokesman Prem Lal said.

All those approaching the exiled Tibetan chief will be closely watched by highly trained Tibetan security guards as well as heavily armed deployments of Indian police.

Visitors are being body-searched before being allowed to approach him.

This makes me incredibly sad, but it's part and parcel of the age.

And then it brings up, of course, how non-violence may be an inappropriate response, to determined aggression. We knew this of course, simply from China's extermination of the Tibetans as a separate people, over the last 50 years.

Thanks to Matthew Dallman for the link.

The National Review article, throughout, conflates priests practices Buddhism, with people who are primarily Buddhist, but acting out of nationalism - but the main point still remains that in certain situations, even practicing buddhist priets have responded to force, with force.

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.

Fun Buddhist Fact: Buddhist Don't Meditate

ebuddha — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 10:37:48 -0800

Read this Tricycle post to find out why.

Noticed this at Blogmandu.

Fresh Cohen Fodder

ebuddha — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 09:21:16 -0800

Since I have a comment by a reader, in a previous post, I will go ahead and point to a new article up at What Enlightenment, by a major contributor (millions of dollars) to Andrew Cohen's work.

She details out, from her perspective, the process that Cohen went through to secure a 2 million dollar donation from her.

Now, individual posts like this, you have to be cautious of - but given that, in this post, she details some of her own personal issues honestly, as well as gets some corroboration from other NAMED individuals in the comments, the post is worth paying attention to.

I'm not sure what it will take for Integral Institute and Ken Wilber, to STOP giving any oxygen to this guy, but hopefully it will happen soon. After a year of exposure, from various sources, it can't come soon enough. (I vote, with my Sponsor Plus membership in Integral Institute, to drop this guy). When will Ken wake up about this particular issue? Anyone at I-I ever do a Q&A with Ken on this particular issue?

(Note - don't do a Q&A NOW - Ken's had a marvelous and inspiring recovery, as detailed in this blogpost, but at some point maybe someone can find out Ken's stance.)

Spiritual Intelligence (SQ) and Competencies to Define It

ebuddha — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 11:52:24 -0800

A very interesting post at Parzifal's Blog.

I think this has been linked to before, but what is interesting about this, is that this attempt to define what is spiritual intelligence, and what defines that, is backed up with research that has been compiled through various workshops.

The results utilize the framework of the quadrants, as well as the framework of competencies and assessments, and an attempt to separate out levels - or consolidate ALTITUDE. Very consonant with Integral Spirituality.

I also simply like the SQ distinction as well. As multiple intelligences go, why not an SQ? And the assessments which measure it?

Pongsathorn Experience of Dzogchen

ebuddha — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 12:02:28 -0800

An interesting report from Pongsathorn on meeting Dzogchen teachers.

The Fountain - The Quest, Love, Suffering, and the Divine interpenetrate

ebuddha — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 08:36:51 -0800

I had a chance to see the Fountain recently.

It was truly a marvelous experience. Basically, for me, I get throw into recognition of the "always everpresent", which happens sometimes, when there are very good "pointing out" instructions, and the shift happens.

And this film did this for me.

But the additional realization of this film -(who knows that it is a true realization, but I will share it anyway) is the essential human-ness that we are - that I am, that she is, that you are, that we are - remains. The laws, feelings, issues, that happen for the bodymind, cco-exist right beside, interpentrating, the recognition of one Consciousness.

The movie, in a large human sense, is a tragedy. In three different times, in three different worlds, (also a progression through the Bardos here), Man is Striving. For love, on the quest, to save Her, to save Himself, to save the world.

Fighting against death. Fighting for redemption. And just as it appears he can - it ends. He fails to save his love. He fails in his quest. He fails in immortality.

But IN this failure, the transformation of life happens. In this surrender, the light of consciousnesss (hinted at in all the myths, dreams, symbols), finally appears completely.

And then the realization is that this light is - and was - always present.

So for me, at the end, "I" live my dream, and interpenetrating this, is the recognition of the Truth.

And I say YES to both. Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes!

In terms of "logical storytelling", I would say that this film is mediocre. I reference B.S. and integral criticism in my last post.

This movie gives an example of how "logical criticism" - analyzing plot, character development, etc - would truly say that this is a mediocre film.

It is only in the recognition of the "deeper message", that the truth of this movie comes shining through.

Foundations of Mindfulness - Instructions and Overview

ebuddha — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 12:15:11 -0800

Video from David Johnson - know NOTHING about this guy, but interesting video - a dry discussion - let me know what you think.

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.

Integral Research, Google Notebook, Wiki's, Time, and Finance

ebuddha — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 09:59:19 -0800

A good post from Integral Awakening:

Integral Criticism: The Solution Is Easy

"Response through authentic, unbiased, research".

The problem - this type of research takes time, from what is already a very busy life - and then, there is little compensation, outside of a "job well done".

So - despite the Integral Wiki, despite the great work being done at the P2P Foundation, despite the various integral groups - the integral research project seems to stay the province of the charismatic leaders, the "try this method" people, and the ruminations of the philosophically-oriented.

I'm thinking about ways to encourage a greater, more practical participation - what are others thoughts?

Who has a lot of time to add to either the Integral Wiki, or integral stuff to the main wiki? Who has time to participate in a online research project.

Now, that would be pretty easy to create. Say 40 people in the world - 50, maybe - decide to do the 1 Minute modules every day, for 90 days. detailing the experience, say, to Google Spreadsheets (shared). During, and after, the spreadsheets can be downloaded, put into either Access, or another database, and statistical analysis run.

That is how EASY it would be, for people to participate. But even then, who has the time?

There needs to be some carrot, I think, for this stuff. Peer to peer Foundation began discussing various ways to incentivize the wisdom of the crowds.

I wonder if this could be done with this type of integral research?

One idea would be, perhaps, some type of community blog, for the research participants, that would publish interesting content, at the same time detailing some of the results. Then, you add Google Ads, and others, to the site.

Micropayments for participation would probably run in the cents, to the tens of dollars - but there is at least a measurable carrot, no matter how small.

Of course, you would need to attract enough of an audience to have the site pay for itself - and on top of that have extra! Which is hard to do!

On the other hand, you can now get a SCOOP community site, for less than 20/month. That would be easy to raise (or simply pay for) and any extra, again, wouldn't be so much for "making" money, just to have a measurable carrot.

At any rate, it's a good question - participatory integral research projects, that use the web, and pay for themselves.

Any ideas?

Peer to Peer and Spiritual Authoritarianism, a Dying Woman's Story

ebuddha — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 13:10:10 -0800

This post from P2P is certainly very true.

No one can be "shut up", in the new era, at least not effectively. Stories get out. And the example of Andrew Cohen is a good one, detailing What Is Enlightenment's primary role in getting the world out at A.C.'s abuses.

It's also incredibly humorous, to see Andrew Cohen attempt to "embrace" blogs.   Here is a blog of his on Integrity.

He declares his allegiance to "authenticity, transparency, and integrity", pretty early on, using this new blogform.

Why is that humorous?

Well, because if you attempt to leave a comment - which I did - it doesn't post, but gets caught, and "reviewed".   The reasons why a comment wouldn't get posted are many - you can read the subtext - the comment I left was mildly oppositional, slightly mocking, certainly nothing that supposedly wouldn't get by the filter.

But it wasn't posted, of course.

So much for transparency! I've heard from others, and they have had the same experience.
As well, the post is full of abstractions, strawmen, and defensiveness, when speaking about his "controversial path".

Also, he mentions why he hasn't spoken of his detractors before:

The motives of my detractors appeared so transparent that I thought they would be obvious to others, and I naively concluded that there was no point in responding. Besides, it just felt beneath my dignity to do so. I was wrong. I have now, obviously belatedly, come to understand that my lack of response is being considered by some as an admission of guilt or wrongdoing, or even worse, as a lack of integrity in itself.

This chilled me, especially, when considering the following story from What Enlightenment blog, about a british 70 year old female follower:

The following day, on Sunday 12 December 1999, her phone rang once more and it was again Steve Brett on the other end of the line. Clearly dissatisfied that in the previous phone call Caroline had not "cracked" under his pressure and "admitted her sin," Steve Brett went on to deliver a renewed but far more devastating attack on Caroline. Caroline said later that the conversation lasted for about forty five minutes and that during it Brett repeatedly insulted her with a ferocity that left her completely traumatized. Caroline said that she had to keep the phone handset away from her ear on many occasions as Brett was literally shouting at her from the other side. She was told that she was going to “die a miserable old woman” and how awful it was on her part that she had dared to leave the venue without waiting to see Cohen. Without any consideration whatsoever for her physical and spiritual frailty, Brett again and again furiously scolded Caroline for her apparent egotistical and independent ways that completely infuriated her teacher. Caroline was told that, instead of surrendering her soul to Andrew Cohen now that she was coming close to dying, she was still holding on to her small life and her ego and would die as such. Caroline also spoke about her intuitive feeling that Cohen was in the room with Brett, listening to the latter delivering his attack.

Caroline died 11 days after this conversation with Brett - (and the suppositions is, (no proof, I will say) that this was at Cohen's direction), and the case is made that it was mainly due to the severe effect of the "talking to". I'm sure that isn't all, as bodies go when they go, especially 79 year old bodies - but wow, what a great last gift to a dying woman, huh?

Whether the story is true or not - the story certainly doesn't seem something "beneath Andrew's dignity", to speak about, or clear up. It seems exactly opposite that.

And, of course, that is just ONE story, out of many, from many, MANY different sources.

So, let's continue to use these peer-to-peer tools to expose the corruption, in the communities we belong to.   Just remember, it's like weed-whacking. Something you have to do again and again.

Big Mind, 3-2-1: Shifting Perspectives, Hard Character Lines

ebuddha — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 13:39:15 -0800

I wonder about the efficacy of Big Mind, 3-2-1 - well, for me, specifically about Big Mind.

There is no doubt, that a perspective shift is engaged in, when Big Mind practice occurs. As always though, as for my other big realizations, it fades away.

Perhaps it is the nature of the beast - all realizations fade away - I shouldn't expect anything else, right?

What is so, is so. And - that means "me experienced as me", and "other experienced as other" as well.

I'm not sure, really. I've had enough peak experiences, enough time in silent awareness, in meditation, watching the universe quite literally "rise and fall", as one breath, in one moment - it still seems strange that I so easily revert to "me against the world", objectifying and identifying myself with - er - myself...

I'm sure there is something I am missing there, so I decided to kvetch on it...

Integral Practice Review - What Is Clear

ebuddha — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 14:08:22 -0800

I clearly haven't been posting a lot here - mainly because I've been pretty busy.

But also, this particular blog has focused on the "basics", of integralism (when not veering to tech stuff and philosophy!)

For various dimensions, it is now pretty clear what the basic practices are.

Physical - I've blogged before - but 2 to 3 times a week, cardio, stretching, and weighlifting for exercise.

For diet - barring special circumstances - less carbs, and balanced eating.

Meditation - while there is a lot around the map here, the basic practices involved for integral involve:

Basic Zen/Vipassana sitting
BigMind/Advaita training
Compassion/Heart work

Now, of course, I'm missing a lot of the I-Thou meditations. Perhaps I could blog them.

In terms of professional, career - one of the best books out there for this is Pathfinder, and What Color Is Your Parachute?

Both are passionate and practical, and give a very good sense of what are the gifts one has to GIVE, in terms of skills, abilities, and desires.

Psychological/interpersonal- while there are a lot of books out there, self-assessment is fairly easy to use, and I have also used this site to point to inexpensive therapeutic options. And then there is the Shadow Work of the 1-2-3, as well as Byron Katie's work. I could write more about relationship as well, but it is so easy for this to become narcissistic, in my opinion.

Now - community - this is probably one of the biggest lacks that I personally have, or have not written a lot about, and I've been attempting to address this through the Ken Wilber MeetUp, and organizing the San Francisco ILP Group.

And then, when you do all the above, do you have time for rest, play, and creativity? Where is the balance?

I still believe there are things that are important for an "integral practitioner" to deal with - deeper delving into the interpersonal, dealing with MOTIVATION and destructive subpersonalities (just because all the practices are out there, doesn't mean you are doing them!), and also re-introducing some concepts into the integral community with ethics - such as "duty", "community commitment" etc. A community is defined by the individuals that "take on" the duties of that community, and it is duty and volunteerism that is the glue of community. Which conflicts a bit with "my/your integral growth". And you want to keep away from any cultism, as such.

At any rate, opening up for questions - what integrally, needs to be worked on? My integral growth, rather than "our" integral growth?

New Book from Wilber: Integral Spirituality

ebuddha — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 11:57:17 -0700

Per has a good initial analysis here.

Here is the Amazon lin k.

cross-posted at Zaadz

What ARE some integral values?

ebuddha — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 12:37:17 -0700

If 2nd tier makes any sense, then the question is raised - what are integral values, as opposed, or differentiated, from regular values?

It's a very important idea to adhere - to varying degrees - to a sense of internal values, and live one's life by those values.

I would argue we are doing that all the time anyway - the Atman Project right? - whether it is following desires, attempting to get a good job, looking for love, or explicitly looking for the Divine. (Or explicitly "dropping" looking for the Divine.)

I didn't get any feedback the other day on this question, so I thought I would post it again - separate from the analysis of a Ken Wilber post. Tuff Ghost makes the valid point that the values of 2nd Tier might not be noticeably differernt from the ordinary run of values.

However, I want to run this thought experiment. What ARE some integral values? So, But I will look at it, by coming up with mine!

Integral Value One: Recognizing that there are a multiplicity of values, of which MANY - but NOT all - have some implicit and explicit truth. and value.

The quest for God has value, the quest for scientific truth has value, the quest for integration has value, the quest for creative expression has value, and the quest for a better social order has value, and the quest for harmonious, deep, interpersonal relationships has value.

Integral Value Two: Say Yes To Meaning

or find and create meaning in how you live.

Whether you find meaning in your creative work, in your family, or in your God, or in simply resting in PEACE - find a YES, for your pursuit, internally, and for life. "He not busy being born is busy dying", for a wonderful quote by a famous singer.

Of course, this can be pretty difficult for those with traumatic experiences, either in childhood or some time in life. (It doesn't help to tell a suicidal person "have a nice day", as an example.) In this case of course, get help.

Integral Value Three: Contribute Back to the Larger Community, to Life.

There has been enough of boomerism, narcissism, etc. An integral person recognized the value of others, the value of a larger community, and gives back TO this community. I would say the basis of this for myself, is recognition and space for the Divine - but integral can proceed for agnostics as well, in the commitment to LIFE. On a profound level, THERE IS NO SEPARATION.

Integral Value Four: Practical Balancing.

Or "The Golden Mean"
Or "The Middle Way".

This isn't an absolute, of course - at any moment you may be called on to sacrifice for one of the above three values (children, community, country, a 3 year religious retreat), and that of course overrides balancing one's life. But finding the right balance, as a general rule, is a value of integral.

This particular value becomes very important for those of us who have analytical tendencies. What are the social structures that most promotes the above values? What type of goverments promote both stability, freedom, a sound and dynamic economic base, individual experimentations and creativity, and appropriate sharing of resources among all? How to create an environment for individuals to be challenged, but not overwhelmed?

Just because I can, I place all science, social science, economics, etc, in this particular realm...

Integral Value Five: The Now, Forward Movement, and Acceptance

Someone needs to make this particular value more pithy (any takers for a better expression?), but here is what I mean.

Acceptance for the moment. And for yourself, and others. THIS moment, now, pregnant with all possibilities, is as it is.
Moving forward - in this moment, this perfect moment, there is still movement. Move forward actively with what NEEDS to be done, and what you are called to do: building, fixing, loving, caring, participating, creating, opposing when necessary, defending when you must. But hold it lightly, (when possible) at peace in this moment.

Now that I read this over, some of this sounds a bit hokey. But that's okay. I am a regular guy of limited means, and this is what I got!

Those of you who are smarter, more productive, more inspiring...

Why don't YOU take your stab?

What are integral values to YOU?

Also posted at Zaadz

5 Years Later - Integralism and the Larger World

ebuddha — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 09:03:36 -0700

Today of course, is 5 years since 9/11. I'm not sure how other people marked this occasion. I spent some time this morning in meditation and prayer, wishing, visualizing peace for all people.

At the same time, practically, I have to acknowledge, that the world doesn't seem a safer place than it was five years ago. The various tensions that mark the world stage, have only increased in that time.

So what has integral theory given to this, this improvement in society's fortunes, it's contributions to reducing violence, creating more peace?

It's hard for me to look for any specific or original contribution of "integral theory". Ken Wilber has been working on "The Many Faces of Terrorism" for awhile now - I'm assuming shortly after 9/11 - but on his official site, no word of any progress on this since he wrote on the official site:

I’ve almost finished a new book entitled The Deconstruction of the World Trade Center—The Many Faces of Terrorism. I will also keep you posted on its progress here on this site.

And that was written as of September 13, 2004.

Still, outside of any official integral theory, the integral attitude - with an open heart, a clear mind, a deep care, and practical passion, while being open to the many perspectives of the world, and coming to solutions based on a correct VALUING of all perspectives (not treating all as equal) - I see that approach still giving some of the best contributions.

CJ Smith has been one of the better blogsites tracking the integral approach on the leading edge, but not tied to any particular theory. Followed by Tuff Ghost.

And I'm sure that there is more, that I am missing.

In the end, the "integral project" ends up BEING this integral attitude. Formulating actions based on the perceptions and revelations in all fields - the practical (scientific, business, power relations), the humanities (societal goods of stability, freedom, pursuit of happiness, etc), and the religious (practice, prayer, interconnectedness of all beings).

To this, I dedicate this day. May all beings advance in their lives, with passion, practicality, joy, and love - and may this all express in wise action, leading to great peace.

The O.G. of Integral - Yoga

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

A good case for this is made here!

Download free books from Google

ebuddha — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 11:14:48 -0700

IF there are before current copyright restrictions.

Here is an example -

Selected Works of Plotinus. On the center right, there is a download button - and away you go!

For the "spiritual historian", as it were - either Buddhist, Hindu, Esoteric Christian, etc - I assume that more and more books will become available. I looked for some Aurobindo in the Free Library, but didn't find it.

The trick for finding the early stuff, is to choose "Full View books" as a search option, and then include free library, as well as what you are searching for.

Referred by this post from Google Blogoscoped.

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.

Song of the Mahamudra

ebuddha — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 17:30:13 -0700

This is from NDhighlights, but I think it is worth reprinting:

Song of the Mahamudra (Tilopa's Song to Naropa)

Mahamudra, the royal way, is free
from every word and sacred symbol.
For you alone, beloved Naropa,
this wonderful song springs forth from Tilopa
as spontaneous friendship that never ends.
The completely open nature
of all dimensions and events
is a rainbow always occurring
yet never grasped.
The way of Mahamudra
creates no closure.
No strenuous mental effort
can encounter this wide open way.
The effortless freedom of awareness
moves naturally along it.
As space is always freshly appearing
and never filled,
so the mind is without limits
and ever aware.
Gazing with sheer awareness
into sheer awareness,
habitual, abstract structures melt
into the fruitful springtime of Buddhahood.
White clouds that drift through blue sky,
changing shape constantly,
have no root, no foundation, no dwelling;
nor do changing patterns of thought
that float through the sky of mind.
When the formless expanse of awareness
comes clearly into view,
obsession with thought forms
ceases easily and naturally.
As within the openness of universal space
shapes and colors are spontaneously forming,
although space has no color or form,
so within the expanse of awareness
realms, relations and values are arising,
although awareness possesses
no positive or negative characteristics.
As the darkness of night,
even were it to last a thousand years,
could not conceal the rising sun,
so countless ages of conflict and suffering
cannot conceal the innate radiance of Mind.
Although philosophers explain
the transparent openness of appearances
as empty of permanent characteristics
and completely indeterminable,
this universal indeterminacy
can itself never be determined.
Although sages report
the nature of awareness to be luminosity,
this limitless radiance cannot be contained
within any language or sacramental system.
Although the very essence of Mind
is to be void of either subjects or objects,
it tenderly embraces all life within its womb.
To realize this inexpressible truth,
do not manipulate mind or body
but simply open into transparency
with relaxed, natural grace
intellect at ease in silence,
limbs at rest in stillness
like hollow bamboos.
Neither breathing in nor breathing out
with the breath of habitual thinking,
allow the mind to be at peace
in brilliant wakefulness.
This is the royal wealth of Mahamudra,
no common coin of any realm.
Beloved Naropa, this treasure of Buddhahood
belongs to you and to all beings.
Obsessive use of meditative disciplines
or perennial study of scripture and philosophy
will never bring forth this wonderful realization,
this truth which is natural to awareness,
because the mind that desperately desires
to reach another realm or level of experience
inadvertently ignores the basic light
that constitutes all experience.
The one who fabricates
any division in consciousness
betrays the friendship of Mahamudra.
Cease all activity that separates,
abandon even the desire to be free from desires
and allow the thinking process to rise and fall
smoothly as waves on a shoreless ocean.
The one who never dwells in abstraction
and whose only principle
is never to divide or separate
upholds the trust of Mahamudra.
The one who abandons craving
for authority and definition,
and never becomes one-sided
in argument or understanding,
alone perceives the authentic meaning
hidden in the ancient scriptures.
In the blissful embrace of Mahamudra,
negative viewpoints and their instincts
are burned without remainder, like camphor.
Through the open door of Mahamudra,
the deluded state of self-imprisonment
is easily left behind forever.
Mahamudra is the torch of supreme liberty
shining forth through all conscious beings.
Those beings constituted by awareness
who try to ignore, reject or grasp awareness
inflict sorrow and confusion upon themselves
like those who are insane.
To be awakened from this madness,
cultivate the gracious friendship
of a sublime sage of Mahamudra,
who may appear to the world as mad.
When the limited mind
enters blessed companionship
with limitless Mind,
indescribable freedom dawns.
Selfish or limited motivations
create the illusory sense of imprisonment
and scatter seeds of further delusion.
Even genuine religious teaching
can generate narrowness of vision.
Trust only the approach
that is utterly vast and profound.
The noble way of Mahamudra
never engages in the drama of
imprisonment and release.
The sage of Mahamudra
has absolutely no distractions,
because no war against distractions has ever been declared.
This nobility and gentleness alone,
this nonviolence of thought and action ,
is the traceless path of all Buddhas.
To walk this all-embracing way
is the bliss of Buddhahood.
Phenomena on every plane of being
are constantly arising and disappearing.
Thus they are forever fresh,
always new and inexhaustible.
Like dreams without solid substance,
they can never become rigid or binding.
The universe exists in a deep, elusive way
that can never be grasped or frozen.
Why feel obsessive desire or hatred for it,
thereby creating illusory bonds?
Renounce arbitrary, habitual views.
Go forth courageously to meditate
in the real mountain wilderness,
the wide open Mahamudra.
Transcend boundaries of kinship
by embracing all living beings
as one family of consciousness.
Remain without any compulsion
in the landscape of natural freedom:
spontaneous, generous, joyful.
When you receive the crown of Mahamudra,
all sense of rank or attainment
will quietly disappear.
Cut the root of the vine that chokes the tree,
and its clinging tendrils wither away entirely.
Sever the conventionally grasping mind,
and all bondage and desperation dissolve.

The illumination from an oil lamp
lights the room instantly,
even if it has been dark for aeons.
Mind is boundless radiance.
How can the slightest darkness
remain in the room of daily perception?
But one who clings to mental processes
cannot awaken to the radiance of Mind.
Strenuously seeking truth
by investigation and concentration,
one will never appreciate
the unthinkable simplicity and bliss
that abide at the core.
To uncover this fertile ground,
cut through the roots of complexity
with the sharp gaze of naked awareness,
remaining entirely at peace,
transparent and content.
You need not expend great effort
nor store up extensive spirtual power.
Remain in the flow of sheer awareness.
Mahamudra neither accepts nor rejects
any current of energy, internal or external.
Since the ground consciousness
is never born into any realm of being,
nothing can add to or subtract from it.
Nothing can obstruct or stain it.
When awareness rests here,
the appearance of division and conflict
disappears into original reality.
The twin emotions of anxiety and arrogance
vanish into the void from which they came.
Supreme knowing knows
no separate subject or object.
Supreme action acts resourcefully
without any array of instruments.
Supreme attainment attains the goal
without past, future or present.
The dedicated practitioner
experiences the spiritual way
as a turbulent mountain stream,
tumbling dangerously among boulders.
When maturity is reached,
the river flows smoothly and patiently
with the powerful sweep of the Ganges.
Emptying into the ocean of Mahamudra,
the water becomes ever-expanding light
that pours into great Clear Light
without direction, destination,
division, distinction or description.

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?

Yahoo Local - Flood the Zone and Rate Your Favorite - and not favorite - Organizations

ebuddha — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 10:02:49 -0700

One rating tool that is out there, and is pretty easy to use - is Yahoo Local. You can use Yahoo Local to rate any organization that is listed in Yahoo's pages - which happens to be most organizations.

Take a look at the ratings of Integral Institute.

Feel free to rate as well!

There's no way to tag the review so far - and I am waiting for this.

At any rate, this is the first stop on my tour of assessment and evaluations. Let me know your thoughts!

Steve Pavlina, Subjective Reality, Non-duality, Integral

ebuddha — Thu, 18 May 2006 11:41:54 -0700

I don't know who might have read this post on Subjective Reality by Steve Pavlina.

It is an interesting mix between the non-dual perspective, and the New Age perspective - (I'm specifically thinking about Seth type of material.)

Certainly, the description of the subjective is pure advaita.

Simply read any of Ramesh Balsekar's works, and the similarity is quite apparent.

Or perhaps, this is closer to A Course In Miracles outlook.

Where the digression begins to occur, is the entry of what I would call "co-creation". Here is a section of Pavlina's Q&A:

Question: So if I were to believe in something that didn’t exist or that wasn’t possible yet, it would actually begin to manifest in the physical universe?

Answer: Yes, it would. The physical universe is a summation of thought. So first of all, in order to change this universe, you must adopt the belief that creation by thought is possible. You must not only believe it. You must know it.

If you try to create by thought, yet deep down you still believe it’s impossible or highly improbable, then it will not manifest for you. The physical universe, including time and space, can only manifest in a manner that is congruent with your beliefs.

So here now an INDIVIDUAL belief will begin to have an affect on the OUTER subjective world experienced. Beliefs are the mediating entity between the true subjective self and the normal objective self.

This is as opposed to the advaita view - that the experienced outer world - the normal world of form - is actually the subjective's dream - Brahma's dream - and not "your" dream. "Not MY will, but THINE." And implicit in this, is the surrender to God, the subjective, WHAT IS, rather than an attempt at manipulation through "belief changing".

But again, it isn't JUST that simple as that because - guess what? Each individual is blessed with a "creative self", and an ability to affect the world, at least on a social level.

So Pavlina's version of Subjective Reality for the "world" and how to affect that world, is a bit different from - say, the "two truths" doctrine.

Or, the more sophisticated version of the Two Truths doctrine promoted by Ken Wilber, that is Integral Theory.

I could say more on this, but I would like others feedback as well. Any thoughts? Post and trackback on your blogs and I'll link and discuss, or comment here, if you feel so inclined.

Integral Math? Continuing the conversation about perspectives

ebuddha — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 11:20:25 -0700

Pongsathorn has been delving deeply into the "academic" side of integral thought, in particular, drawing out some of the details of the Integral Spirituality draft, and, I assume, what will be present in the new Integral Spirituality book.

You need to spend time with this, translating the variables into perspectives - but I offer up the links, for those who are interested:

Integral Math and Order of Mind - Part I

Integral Math and Order of Mind - Part II

Complexity, Spirituality, Reinterpretation

(Quick cheat sheet - instead of the world resting on turtles all the way down, the world is perspectives - all the way down! Take that Bertrand Russell!)

As I pointed out a couple of days ago, "shifting perspectives" has quite an impact on how consciousness is experienced to the person - or p1 - 1st person perspective.

The important question is how deep this goes - and how to stay grounded, I suppose, and in the real world, as perspectives shift.

Also, I have the sinking feeling if I talk about this a lot, I'm going to start sounding very lawyerish - example:

"The party of the 1st part - er sorry - the perspective of the 1st person, would like to embrace the perspective of the 2nd person, without reference to the 3rd person's perspective.

However, this gets problematic when..."

More than simply an overview such as this, however, I still say what will radically push things forward, is for all practices, a disciplined intake, reporting, and assessment methodology. This will be delivered over web 2.0 at some point, and will radically transform the ascending nature of revelation - from the Bald's One's head, into a bottom-up, more egalitarian practical revelation of what works. It's just a matter of time.

Good Article By DJP

ebuddha — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 11:39:25 -0700

Getting to Integral Work.

I may comment more later, but life is busy busy busy right now...

Inner and Outer Integrations

ebuddha — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 15:08:07 -0800

Per has a good article on "inner and outer integrations".

Specifically regarding recognizing non-dual Self, Big Mind, etc - there are a variety of methods which shift a person's selfhood, and yet do so in different ways.