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gender issues
July 2009 
Ken Wilber & Integral Spirituality-Thoughts and Ponderings
Zoey
I picked up "Integral Spirituality" by Ken Wilber from my favourite bookstore, (Banyen Books in Vancouver) and I devoured it, I loved it, it filled an unmet need of some kind for me, it felt that the final missing piece had clunked in. It really felt like the logical, linear, science type part of me had a "thrist quenched". I felt like buying copies for both my (older) brothers who are the "pure science" types and from whom I have a distinctly different view of life and religion and spirituality. It was like this book could finally convince them, (because of the mathematical formulae) that I was right. Yes, a brief glimpse into my family of origin issues which are integrally involved in my shadow the "filter" with which I view my world I acknowedge! Yes, Ken Wilber, to me could represent my "unresolved" brother issues! Yes, and......another part of me says the following......
I had never felt drawn to read any of Ken Wilber's work before, being more interested in reading Barbara Marx Hubbard, Riane Eisler, Vicki Noble and Margaret Wheatley. I think it was the word "spirituality" that drew me and I totally respect this work of Ken's to attempt a meta analysis of all religions, all spiritual traditions and all states, stages and lines etc. and pull it all into a framework. It totally felt to me like the most "cutting edge" framework that I could find. I immersed myself in the Integral Institute website, thinking of doing advanced training with them or at the very least some workshops.
I was ecstatic to see a women's event. Eagerly skimming through the program, I felt like I was hit with a sledgehammer when I read that the key feature of the retreat was watching a video of Ken Wilber talking to us. Yes, there was some sacred dancing thrown in and a few other "divine feminine" type activities but I was absolutely stunned at the program which did not in any way feel integral to me, nor was anything close to what I had expected.
I chatted about this with 2 wise women friends, one of whom is very familiar with Integral theory and we both felt that there is something missing from the integral framework. She said what is missing is "concentric circles', I said what is missing is "heart". We both felt that it is very "heady" and for us, being bodycentered and integrated in mind and body, living in the present moment is how we attempt to live.
So, I ended up with more questions, ponderings and felt experience. I have been asking what a wisdom council of grandmothers would say about this book. I am asking, what is beyond "integral theory", what about cycles, I feel the lack of heart centered body centered acknowledgement, I don't think religions can be the conveyor belts of anything until the shadow of all religions is brought to the light. I am triggered, questioning, uncertain and unknowing and just "sitting with it all". Yes, I am right in the middle of "include and transcend".
namaste,
Zoey
coach . catalyst . shakti sage
life & business coach for women
Access: Public
Hi Zoey! Interesting blog!
I am a little confused about something and maybe you can help me understand—–I value your opinion. You seemed very pleased with the book (which, I believe, is one of his more complex and difficult to follow books if you have not read him previously,) but are you saying you have become disillusioned because of the schedule of that event?
I'm not sure I understand how you came to have an opposite opinion of Integral from your original impression. I do not want to be in a position to defend KW or Integral at all—–but, again, I am quite curious about your opinion; is it possible that be “triggered, questioning, uncertain and unknowing” is a very wonderful thing?
Yes, absolutely! It is as if there are many parts of me in opposition as a result of all of this and this is all good. I am able to stand back or above and observe my reactions and actions from a place of objectivity.
The triggering, questioning and unknowing is wonderful as I have experienced previously and in different areas that as I move through this phase I always develop deeper learning about myself and an expanded appreciation for my life journey and that of others.
For example, I didn't even realize I still had unresolved “brother” issues until I wrote about this in the blog.
To me, it is all paradox :))) I hold two seemingly incompatible and opposite opinions at the same time.
Jonny Bardo blogs about Integral Spirituality too and has an interesting perspective:
http://jonnybardo.zaadz.com/blog
My perspective is a feminist one, where in our world and in our history and these are big broad generalizations, we as women have been “told what to do” by men at the top of organizations be it churches, hospitals, governments etc. Now, of course this has changed in the past 50 years and more and more women are moving into positions of power and authority but with the integral women's retreat, I would have expected that the feature of the retreat was something to do with the women themselves, not another male being videoded in.
Z
Hi Zoey; I think I understand how you feel. I was just a little surprised because I thought your original difficulty with the retreat was that KW was just going to be there by video—-I did not understand you had difficulty because he would appear at all, but again, I appreciate your view.
Two books of KW that contain a great deal of “heart” that you might enjoy are “One Taste,” and “Grace and Grit.” Many, many passages of those two books are almost poetry, and soar with beauty. “Grace and Grit” is an inspiring tribute to KW's late wife and the unfolding of their relationship. It is kind of funny, but many of the “pure science types” dislike KW and Integral in general because it attempts to include spirituality with “heart.”
For what little it is worth, I have never found any degree of telling women “what to do” in Integral; quite the opposite in fact. There is a large volume of research/writing done by women concerning the roles of women through history, up to today, brought to the fore-front by Integral theory. Additionally, the women's movement is often cited as a most positive force for good.
I think I would like to read this Grace and Grit that Moonstar mentions as my introduction to Wilber, so I can go into it seeing in him his attitude towards women. I think based upon my interpretation of what you have written Zoey, that what you were disappointed in regarding the retreat was - that there wasn't an authoritative female voice who could lend a feminine interpretation of Integral Spirituality at the retreat. Was this the best they could do? A video of Wilber (not that you were complaining regarding his lack of physical presence)? I think your complaint is the lack of focus on “women” including women whose mastery of the concepts could form a core presentation of the “science” aspects or rational thoughts of the philosophy. I speak here as someone who hasn't a clue of what Wilber is about. I speak simply from a place of keying into what I feel you were trying to say.
All the best -
Thank you both! You have expressed my sentiments better than I could. Yes and yes, you both tapped into what didn't work for me about the retreat. Yes and to be fair, I haven't read much of Ken Wilber's writing, the first I read of his was i”ntegral spirituality”. I have been reading the guru/pandit dialogue though in WEI :)
Z