Thoughts on Integral Education

Mike asks:

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN INTEGRAL EDUCATION??

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE AND WHAT IS OUR END VISION REALLY LOOK LIKE??

When I sink into your questions, I find myself looking at the pathway from purpose, vision, theory --> to actualizing. What arises looks like my picture of what Integral Education is.

I see purpose, vision and theory as shining orbs of electric energy spinning in the foreground of my awareness. They invite my time and attention, they charge my enthusiasm and passion, inspiring me to feed them with ‘doing’ and ‘action’. They are like my North Star, as I sail through the seas of reality, I stay focused on them, they are my guiding lights, it is imperative that I keep them in my awareness, that I stay aligned with their intentions.

When I move out of the dreaming and planning stages of development, however, these guiding lights remain illuminate and they recede to the background. My foreground is that which is unfolding before me, around me. My foreground is what is actually happening and occurring in the relative world in which I am interacting. I recognize that which is, harmonize with the inner and outer environment, and strive to unify with it in order to be a part of the greatest good and fullest potential (moving forward).

This is how I see Integral Education. As educators, as human beings in reverence to learning- unfolding wholeness (purpose), we walk into a moment with our eyes wide open, receiving that which IS before us. We recognize another for who they are in this very moment and we hold in our awareness the highest light, the greatest potential we see for them... for our shared space (vision). We use our various theories as tools to help us best facilitate a narrowing of the gap between What Is and Highest Potential. Theory guides us in accessing greater possibilities and potentials and offers us suggestions as to how to bring those to life.

We use or unique and special talents to embrace and support one another, trusting all along in the capacity to succeed and encouraging unfolding wholes. We assist in integration of the various parts that make up the whole. We accentuate areas that are strong and encourage further development in areas that are weak. We model how they all weave together, we model integral integrity and thus in our very being inspire integral education.


I really appreciate these quotes from Parker Palmer, they sing to me. I would be interested in expanding upon the web of communal relationships and how imperative that social component is in education and knowing reality.

Quote:

“Truth is an eternal conversation about things that matter, conducted with passion and discipline."

so as educators, we find out what matters to people and tend to the “dirt”... “soil”, creating environments where conversations conducted with passion and discipline (limits and boundaries) unfurl effortlessly, spontaneously.

Personalizing Language and Being Integral

An influential part of my spiritual practice is using and claiming Conscious Language. I value speaking words that are charged with personal meaning and whose definitions are in alignment with my authentic self. Giving attention to the words I choose charges my communications with a depth and span that mirrors my own being.

This intention to use language consciously has motivated a practice of claiming language. I generally have a few words in my pocket that I carry around with me. I play with the words, striving to fully understand and integrate a meaning with which I resonate. I seek clarity regarding how I and others respond to, define, and interact with the words. The information that I gather from this play allows me to settle into a grounded perception of what the words mean to me and the ways in which I value using them... And then, I stay eternally open to their constantly evolving definitions.

A word currently in my pocket is Integral... and a question spinning through me is "What does it mean to me to Be Integral?"

I freely flow with the word Integral: inclusive, including all, a complete whole where all of the parts are connected.

For me, being integral means I am commited to a journey of transcending and including. I live in a state of openness and willingness to recognize where I am constricted, attentively move beyond limitations, and integrate growth into my being. I live a life of sacred inquiry, doing the work of including and integrating that which unfolds before me and within me. Being integral means that I am always open to having my perspective expanded, I am not attached to nor repulsed by the stage of development in which I am currently operating. I am aware of and respect other stages along the spiral in both directions.

As an integral person, I accept my own reality as being significant and real and I accept another's reality as being significant and real. My purpose, however, is to spread the greatest good, transcending limitations and blockages. I honor whole people for who they are in this moment and I keep my vision focused on each of us in our highest light, holding space for us to fully know and embrace that aspect of our True Selves.

The most direct action that I "Do" in my practice of 'being integral' is that I am aware. I am attentive to my awareness. I value being aware of what is occurring within me and in my environment. I am aware of responses that arise within me, in my body, my emotions, and my thoughts. I am aware of how I am interacting with others, being highly attentive to interpersonal lines of connection and communication. I am aware of myself and the roles that I play in the world, the actions I take. I am aware of the world beyond me and attentive to that which is unfolding.

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As each of us offers our precious drops to the ocean of existence, our ripples spread, creating the rings of humanity. My first drops in this pond will continue to explore what it means for me to 'Be Integral.' This journey has now begun and I welcome you to join and participate as much as your heart desires!