INTEGRAL ECOLOGY - WHAT DOES THIS PLANET NEED?
Lawrence Toye - 4 November 2021
[Note: the content of this blog presupposes that there is partial truth in all perspectives]
Theory plays an important role in how we make sense of the world.
It’s how we explore the meaning of and connections between our personal and our collective experiences.
On a journey into making sense of and exploring solutions to the current state of our world, using certain theories and frameworks can be really useful. Integral Ecology is a great example of such a theory.
The Current State of Our Planet Seems Concerning...
News of drastic climatic shifts and of the deterioration and collapse of ecological systems is casting uncertainty onto the continued thriving of life on our planet. These are intense times, for all life on the planet.
In receiving this news, many humans are feeling moved to take action to prevent “the end of the world as we know it”. In such seemingly critical times, it can be easy to re-act and to be doing so from a triggered or highly emotional place, which may simply add to the "crisis”.
Q: How can we ensure that our conclusions, beliefs and actions are useful and relevant for the needs of the planet and that they come from a non-reactive place within us?
A: By ensuring we have enough information and insight around what the needs of this planet truly are. This requires us to consider more than just our own perspective on the situation we’re experiencing.
An Integral Lens
A truly profound and revolutionary framework to deepen, and make-whole, our experience of a situation is Integral Theory. For a great introduction to Integral Theory, have a read of this blog by Sara de Clercq.
In short, when we view any situation (occasion/event) using an Integral “lens” we can experience that situation from multiple perspectives, beyond our own subjective one.
There are always, at all times, several perspectives we can take to fully understand a situation. We can see them laid out in the Integral Theory Quadrant Model:
I SPACE - Terrain of Experiences
The subjective realities of any being at all levels of its perception.
Known by Felt-Experience.
WE SPACE - Terrain of Cultures
The intersubjective realities of any beings at all levels of their communion.
Known by Mutual Resonance.
IT SPACE - Terrain of Behaviors
The objective realities of any being at all levels of its organization.
Known by Observation.
IT’s SPACE - Terrain of Systems
The inter-objective realities of any beings at all levels of their intersection.
Known by Systemic Analysis.
Much of the time we are only aware of one or two of these perspectives; using an Integral lens supports us to always consider all of them at any moment.
We then begin to perceive a broader spectrum of information and sensory detail about the situation which is often quite eye-opening. Even just learning about Integral Theory has been described as a “psychoactive” process which has the potential to reveal a more complete experience of consciousness.
So, what does Integral bring to an exploration of Ecology?
Ecology is the study of systems, both living and nonliving. The approach is scientific, focusing on the material/physical properties and interactions of the separate components - animals (including humans), plants, bodies of water etc - of these systems.
Deep Ecology invites the consideration that there are other dimensions to these systems beyond simply physical. They include spiritual and intellectual/philosophical dimensions.
Deep Ecology supports Gaia Theory which says that the planet Earth is a living breathing system of which humans are a part. “She” can self-regulate and is known as Gaia or Mother Gaia.
Using the above Quadrant model we can see that:
Ecology focuses on the Behaviours and Systems - the external and objective.
Deep Ecology brings in Experiences and Cultures - the internal and subjective.
What’s important to realise is that these theoretical concepts have both arisen to support us in relating with the natural world around us. They both contain valuable insight and truth. Which of them resonates with you, right now?
Are you open to the idea that there’s likely to be information and perspectives for you to discover that could influence and shift your current view?
If we’re truly wanting to show up for the planet in the way it needs, we’ll need to consider that there is genuine truth in multiple perspectives. Integral Ecology brings us in touch with the value of both Ecology and Deep Ecology via it’s multi-perspectival capacity.
Let’s play
Here’s a fun exercise for experiencing the power of Integral Ecology at an embodied level:
The word “Ecology” comes from the Greek word oikos, meaning "household". There are several perspectives we can take to describe what a household “is”.
Imagine your own house for a moment, bringing in the quadrant model above:
Can you describe how it feels to be there? (felt sense)
Can you see who else lives there? (mutual resonance)
Can you describe what’s in your room? (observation)
Could you talk us through the space and how things work in your home? (systemic analysis)
Now let’s imagine this planet as a home we all share, how much of the above can you imagine right now? What could change in your relationship to and interactions with this planet if you had as much connection to it as you do to your own home?
Come and join me for a further exploration of Integral Ecology through both mind and body at our upcoming workshop:
INTEGRAL ECOLOGY | For Natural Human Connection
Nov 25 | 7 - 8:30 pm AEDT | Online workshop.
Register your spot HERE.