When I first started learning what Integral was. I was aware of and looking for bullshit.
My first introduction to Integral was an amazing audio interview of
Ken Wilber by Tami Simon of Sounds True.
http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/Kosmic-Consciousness/468.productdetails
Check out Sounds True - http://www.soundstrue.com/ - Amazing collection of amazing stuff.
Of course the title turned me off a little. Kosmic is a word that seems to be used by strange people. However I let go of my ego and judgment. I listened. I was fascinated but not yet sold. Cant say that Im sold now. Can say that I believe. Not unconditional belief or faith. A belief based on objective research and the type of people involved with Integral. Oh... and Ive become somewhat confident in my ability to sort out bullshit from non bullshit.
Research that I have done over the past 6 years. Watching tons videos, reading articles, listening to interviews, and reading several Integral and non Integral books that have pushed my intellectual boundaries. To weigh and balance the concepts and ideas presented. Another thing that I pay close attention to is the actions of those at the top of the Integral movement. Seeing how their character fits their philosophy. As we all know many people claiming to have most of the answers to things have a tendency to be fake and untrustworthy.
Trust me Im always on the lookout for bullshit.
However Im not attached to finding bullshit. hehee.
My own worries from the beginning
Is this anything like a cult, Est, Dianetics, Scientology, or an extremist religion. I set my bullshit radar on high alert throughout all my studies. No bullshit found so far. After 6 years I still think the core of Integral Theory is solid. Im sure that there are those out there that take Integral too far.
One thing that Ive heard often from Integral Theory and its proponents is that Integral Theory is just a map. It is not the territory. So it inherently recognizes that the map may need to be changed, updated, adapted, to the territory and to the times.
Integral is not something that thinks it has all the answers. It has a lot of answers but it knows that it does not have them all.
Its more about how to find as many answers as it can and then sort them out while finding which ones have values that we can all agree on.
Thanks to
Ken Wilber
Tami Simon
Stuart Davis
Fred Kofman
My first influences and teachers of Integral Theory.
Jarrad Connor
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