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Evolutionary Activism — A Bodhidharma Strategy

Submitted by Terry on August 16, 2010 - 11:12am

At the Integral Theory Conference a couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of participating in a panel on Integral Politics. During the discussion, I found myself outlining a 3-part strategy for evolutionary activism—using the metaphor of Bodhidharma, the bushy-eyebrowed sage who is said to have brought Buddhism to China from India and to have founded Chinese martial arts at the Shaolin Temple.

The question I was addressing was: How can conscious citizens effectively help bring about a positive future in the face of our current crises and stuckness? Do we have a workable strategy?

According to ancient legends, certain Emperors of China ruled wisely and well, guided by the advice of great sages—including Lao Tzu, Confucius, and perhaps also Bodhidharma. Such stories suggest a broad approach that evolutionaries can adopt:

  1. Become Bodhidharma.
  2. Help create enlightened sustainable solutions— ‘spare parts’ for 4-quadrant systems redesign.
  3. Gain the ear of the Emperor.

Okay, let’s unpack that a little. First, some meta-context:

 Read more »

The Integral “Killer App” Challenge

Submitted by Terry on July 4, 2010 - 10:42pm

Why the “Killer App”?

What made computers indispensable?

  • The first database programs, plus word processing and accounting software.

What first made the Internet a necessity instead of a curiosity?

  • Email, singlehandedly. 

Why did cell phones become nearly ubiquitous so quickly, despite concerns about their health impacts?

  • Mobile connectivity, plus the magic of texting, made cellphones an essential tool for postmodern lifestyles.

Why do we salivate over the iPhone, and now the iPad?

  • Because the sleek tool lets us use thousands of amazingly cool, intuitive apps.

We undertake the ordeal of upgrading our operating systems only in order to access new applications. A “killer app” legitimizes any innovative approach, making the expense and hassle of an upgrade worthwhile.  Read more »

A rich discussion about spiritual teachers

Submitted by Terry on June 6, 2010 - 9:38pm

For several years, something that's been "up" for me has been the evolution of practice: the actual emergence of new dynamics ("life conditions") and capacities relating to the process of growing to higher levels of consciousness.   Read more »

On Outrageous Teaching and Charges of Enabling Abuse

Submitted by Terry on June 6, 2010 - 1:02am

One of Andrew Cohen’s critics recently attacked me in a blog post. Detailing a few of the most inflammatory stories about Cohen, a group of teachers (including me, Ken Wilber and others) were accused of “enabling abuse” because we have dialoged and cooperated with Andrew, his students and his publications. None of us responded publicly to the attack. I chose not to because in the echo chamber of the blogosphere there is no way to respond thoughtfully and at length to irresponsible negativity without raising it to an implicitly equal status, and thereby validating and empowering it.  Read more »

Integral Evolutionary Spirituality, Spiritual Teachers, Cultism, and Critics — My Response to the Integrales Forum Position Paper

Submitted by Terry on June 6, 2010 - 12:54am
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Integrales_Forum_Spiritual_Teachers_only.pdf

This is my passionate response to a request for comments from Germany’s Integrales Forum, in response to their position paper, “Integral Spirituality and Spiritual Teachers.”

Summary  Read more »

Integrales Forum Position Paper on Spiritual Teachers

Submitted by Terry on June 6, 2010 - 12:45am
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Integrales_Forum_-Teachers_Gurus_Peers.8.5.2010_English.pdf

In May 2010, the Integrales Forum, which is the central coordinating group organized and coordinates among over two dozen local Integral study groups in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, wrote and translated a "Position Paper" that attempts to set forth some standards for evaluating the legitimacy and conduct of spiritual teachers.  Read more »

Toward the Emergence of Integral Evolutionary Spiritual Culture — For the 2010 Integral Theory Conference

Submitted by Terry on June 6, 2010 - 12:13am
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ITC-IESC-Patten-Final.pdf

Here is the article I submitted May 15, 2010 in conjunction with my presentation at the 2010 Integral Theory Conference.

Abstract  Read more »

Tapping Into the Transformative Energy of Evolution


94:37 minutes (13.33 MB)

In this February 2010 interview with Craig Hamilton I explain how a truly evolutionary relationship to life can transform the very physics of our existence, tapping us into a remarkable higher octave of power, sanity, and purpose. It is possible for human beings to connect with the “omega force” of evolution, and become vessels for the profound transformational force of reality itself.

A Fresh 10-Minute Summary Introduction to Integral Life Practice


9:55 minutes (5.68 MB)

In a recent telecouse, when I was asked "What Is Integral Life Practice?" I found it possible to answer without jargon, in a way that gets at the essence of what ILP offers ANY person interested in a full, conscious life of growth and learning. Just 10 minutes gets across the essence!

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What Level Are the Na'avi of Avatar?


5:01 minutes (2.88 MB)

On a recent teleseminar, after I had taught listeners about stages or levels of development, I was asked to explain how we could understand the blue Na'avi people of Pandora, as depicted in the blockbuster movie, Avatar. Jokes might have been in order, but I chose to answer it seriously — and I've been asked to share it by folks who found it clarifying.