Ideal Course on Integral Spirituality

I have a general survey question I'd like to ask members here:

Ideally, what would you like to see covered in a course (say, 8 weeks) on Integral Spirituality?

Re: Ideal Course on Integral Spirituality

Fascinating question. Let's see - I guess beginning with a survey of the roots of Integral Spirituality in older traditions and some of the ways it has emerged in different parts of the world. Indepth study of some of the current ways Integral spirituality is formulated and lived out. 

I suppose one must look at the IS book by Wilber from 2006 but it would be even more interested to look at how his thoughts have gone on since then and other critiques of the book.

I think this review by Visser indicates some of the areas lacking in IS that would be well served by a good course.

http://www.integralworld.net/visser16.html

Love,

Nicole

Re: Ideal Course on Integral Spirituality

Hi Bruce,

what you mean by 'ideal'?

It sounds a bit like you mean your own standard to be perfect, or to present a perfect course. In that case, only you can know the answer of how it has to be to suffice your own standard.

Or 'ideal' could mean that the result of the course meets the expectations of the participants. In this case, best thing to do is to ask the simple question: what do you expect from this course, or what is it that you want to have achieved at the end of the eight weeks? It gives you information about what to ephasize, and it makes people more clear about what they really expect, and what interests them most.

You see, I'm just learning systemic counseling techniques ahaha and the above is a typical systemic approach to questions such as yours.

In dependence of what people say they'd like to hear, you could focus more on technical aspects (the three S, the IOS system etc.) or introduce a broader background (Krishnamurti or Habermas or Postmodernism) or whatever fits your plans. Remember that it is also important that you feel comfortable with it. okay enough counseling haha.

BTW When will we get another Wilber book? There was some talk about a re-issue of an old title? Any new rumors? :-P

Re: Ideal Course on Integral Spirituality

Thanks for your thoughts, Nicole.  I agree – I'd also want to include, not only Wilber's IS book, but relevant critiques of it.  And the historical roots of such conceptions would be interesting (such as Jainism's 'inclusivist' ideal of anekantavada).

Christophe, good questions.  I should have made my question clearer – I just fired it off before going to bed last night.  By asking folks for their ideas on an ideal course, I meant ideal for whoever is answering: What would you like to see covered in such a course, if you were either taking it or giving it?

About your suggestions, I like both ideas; in my ideal course, I'd probably want to find a way to include both (wider background info and a review of various approaches [Wilber, Ferrer, Aurobindo, Panikkar, etc], as well as some of the more technical details of Wilber's particular approach.)

I've heard rumors that an updated Transformations of Consciousness is going to be released, but haven't heard any solid dates yet.  The Many Faces of Terrorism is supposedly still forthcoming, as well.  Speaking of which, it might be interesting also to consider talking about the relationship between religion and terrorism in an Integral Spirituality course.

Re: Ideal Course on Integral Spirituality

Bruce: What would you like to see covered in such a course, if you were either taking it or giving it?

ahaha. yes, you learn quickly. well actually I don't expect very much from such a course, because I already read the book and listened to the chapter-by-chapter audio talks on Intengral Naked. Thus my question about upcoming titles.

If I'd had to give a lecture on IS, I would leave spaces to be filled in by the participants. Keep it simple. Let room for what already is. People don't like to move more than 5% at a time. and so on, you probably know this already.

And yes, a discussion about terrorism and Integral Spirituality would be great. We could  name it… Integral Terrorism HA HA HA HA         …sorry. :oP

Blessings,