Why Does Spirituality Need Integral? by Kelly Sosan Bearer
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 12:07pm — Admin
Spirituality is a complex, confusing, and polarizing force in the world. With so many different definitions of the word, we can barely even begin to start the conversation. Some equate spirituality with mysticism as described by the great philosophers; but with the infiltration of New Age concepts of spirituality, many are not sure what the word means anymore. Some don’t distinguish spirituality from religion, while others identify themselves as spiritual but not religious. Some believe they need not commit themselves to any particular path in order to be spiritual, while others actively search for spiritual practices that will fit best with their unique needs. The list goes on and on. These are just a few of the many issues that we are going to look into here at iEvolve.
There are so many forms and types of spirituality today. Some preach love and acceptance; others preach hate and destruction. Many traditions claim that their way is the only way, “the one true path,” which directly contradicts other traditions that say their way is the only way. Why does spirit express itself in such radically different ways? Who is right and who is wrong? Can anything reconcile such radically different points of view?
Enter the Integral Map…
We think the Integral map can clarify and reconcile these radically different points of view by organizing and even resolving the competing truth claims of this debate; by pointing out how different levels of development express their relationship to spirit; by showing their preferred perspective of spirit (1st, 2nd, or 3rd person); and finally by providing 5 definitions of spirituality. Let’s start with those five definitions….
Why do we need to clarify which definition of spirit we’re using? Because people use the word “spirituality” in different ways and each definition has a different meaning. Before we start to disagree with one another, it’s important to identify whether we’re disagreeing over the same meaning. Otherwise you’re disagreeing over apples and I’m disagreeing over oranges, and the discussion grows muddy, unclear, and frustrating, so let’s use part of the Integral map to help you share meaning in your discussions of spirituality with another person.
Here are the five definitions:
(1) Spirituality as a line of development; a specific capacity that we develop. We all have different lines of development: cognitive, emotional, moral, kinesthetic, etc. Sometimes we are really good at some things—for example, we know how to make a lot of money; but may not know how to manage our relationships that well.
(2) Spirituality as the highest level of that line of development.
(3) Spirituality as the experience of a state of mind or heart. Some use the term spirituality to describe spiritual or religious experiences, such as peak experiences or meditative experiences.
(4) Spirituality as a type (Christianity, Islam, etc.) Another “type” may be a quality someone possesses that people perceive as spiritual—like love, compassion, or wisdom.
(5) Spirituality as a specific perspective: first, second, and third person (or I, You, It). The 1st person perspective of God means that my relationship to God is a 1st person experience: “I am.” The 2nd person perspective means that I relate to God as “You Are,” God is a force outside of me that I am devoted to. The 3rd person perspective is “It Is,” which in many ways is also separate from the self, yet those that have a 3rd person perspective usually see the self as “part of” everything else.
We think this is an interesting point because different traditions prefer different perspectives. Many Buddhists ultimately realize the “I am” perspective, they realize that they are Buddha, they are not separate from Buddha. They also realize “It is”—that the world is just expressing the great “I am.” Buddhists, however, can miss out on the beauty and devotion cultivated in the Christian relationship to spirit, one of “You Are” which can lead to profound humility and awe. Ask a Christian if they are God, if they can embody the perspective “I am God,” and they will most likely look at you as though you are odd or quite possibly a heretic. Here at Integral we want to embrace all the faces and perspectives of Spirit, leading to a deeper and more complete relationship with God.
As a road rule, let’s agree that before we disagree with one another, we’ll figure out what we mean when we say “spirituality.” By following this simple suggestion, we’ll save a lot of time, energy and emotion that can then be used to engage in an intelligent conversation regarding this topic.
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Kelly Sosan Bearer