1.8 A bit more about Me
Why are you publishing our conversations?
My interest in Integral Theory is now about 6 years old as I begin publishing in April, 2023. I still have much to learn. The nature of development is discovering new information and interpretations that alter understanding. I will edit and correct errors as I learn about them.
Integral Theory is the best set of tools I’ve discovered to help me make sense, make meaning and reframe the questions we face in our lives. My altruistic and humble goal is to help readers understand these tools also. Integral has helped me better understand the unique human I have lived with in my life up to now, and what may be in store for the future. I have come to see life as “coming of age,” over and over again.
Do you ever think about Integral Theory as a religion?
No, although my enthusiasm for Integral might be a bit religious. It is more encompassing than that; in fact as I will later discuss, Integral has revitalized my religious life. The genius of Integral Theory is that it takes all of the significant endeavors of humans and integrates them--interconnects them--in such a way that we can see how much they have in common. In a world where we stake out our territory and positions leading to endless conflict, Integral provides the vantage point for seeing new opportunities to work together.
This blog reflects my understanding of Integral Theory. It is “partial and incomplete,” and always will be. I hope to be in dialogue with readers, correcting mistakes, improving my explanations, and updating perspectives that are informed by Integral. My confidence in the efficacy of the theory continues to grow: it provides new starting points that are less adversarial than the old ones.
But what is different? Isn’t Integral just the latest flavor, to be replaced again by something else new?
According to the inherently open nature of Integral, and it’s evolutionary nature, advanced versions or theories will indeed be developed. Some people at later stages may already be formulating them! For me, since I have come to see the world though Integral lenses, much of my thinking and reflection is informed by the theory. I have found that my evaluation of events has become more stable and predictable. I see patterns that formerly were invisible to me. For these reasons, I no longer am at the mercy of the opinion of the person I last talked to, an occurrence that bothered me no end. Now I come to more of my own conclusions because the structure of the theory fits things into place and gives me clear methods for "validity testing."1
(updated 5-29-23)
1 Validity testing will be explained when we get to the Quadrants element.