I started this inquiry at FB IPS and at Ning IPS. Is integral all about meta-theory? And does one have to be involved in
meta-theory to be integral? Even more broadly, do we have to meta
everything? So I'm curious about how one can be integral and not necessarily participate in meta-theory. It seems most discussion that claim integrality usually go through delineating AQAL, as if that is what defines it in toto.
I'm
reminded of Gidley's work. She talks about the difference between
research that identifies postformal operations (PFO) from examples of
those that enact PFO. And that much of the research identifying PFO has
itself “been framed and presented from a formal, mental-rational mode” (109). Plus those enacting PFO don’t “necessarilty conceptualize it as such” (104). And of course this now infamous Gidley quote:
"For
Gebser, integral-aperspectival consciousness is not
experienced through expanded consciousness, more systematic
conceptualizations, or greater quantities of perspectives. In his view, such approaches largely represent
over-extended, rational characteristics. Rather, it involves an
actual re-experiencing, re-embodying, and conscious re-integration
of the living vitality of magic-interweaving, the
imagination at the heart of mythic-feeling and
the purposefulness of mental conceptual thinking, their
presence raised to a higher resonance, in order for the
integral transparency to shine through" (111).
So how do we DO that? And is a meta-theory necessary to do that?
I'm also reminded of this Ferrer essay on integral transformative practice, abstract below:
"Most
psychospiritual practices in the modern West suffer from favoring
growth of mind and heart over physical and instinctive aspects of human
experience with many negative
consequences. Michael Murphy and Ken Wilber have each made excellent
contributions in offering prescriptions for “Integral Transformative
Practice” (ITP) which includes various physical and psychospiritual
disciplines. Their prescriptions, however, can easily perpetuate the
mind-centered direction of growth characteristic of the modern West in
that they inherently ask one's mind to pick and commit to already
constructed practices. Needed is an approach that will permit all human
dimensions to co-creatively participate in the unfolding of integral
growth. As one possible solution, the author presents a program of ITP
developed by Albareda and Romero in Spain. Their Holistic Integration is
based in group retreats to practice “interactive embodied meditations,”
which involve contemplative physical contact between practitioners that
allows access to the creative potential of all human dimensions."
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