WHAT IS INTEGRAL THEORY?

Sara de Clercq - 21 September 2021

What if we attempted to find the critically essential keys to human growth, maturing and potential, based on the total of human knowledge and wisdom available to us at this point in time?

Does that sound impossible? The results turn out to be surprisingly refined, elegant and effective.

Over the last few decades there has indeed been outstanding research into the development of an all-inclusive map for human
growth and potential. The integral map. Also known as Integral Theory.
Join us, on a journey of human maturing, with and without materialistic successes.

 
What is Integral Theory?

And how can this Theoretical framework support us in understanding Human Growth and Potential, Solve Complex issues and heal Relationships?

 

So first: what is Integral Theory?

Integral Theory is a framework designed by the philosopher Ken Wilber which aims to integrate all of human insight and intelligence into a more holistic, emergent worldview that is able to accommodate the insights of all previous worldviews.

The integral map is an all-inclusive comprehensive map that looks at variable cross-cultural studies. It looks at the world’s great traditions to create an in-depth, across-the-board map that includes the profound elements from all of them combined. 

This map shows us all the known elements, models and systems of human potential that are available to us - from cognitive science to the ancient shamans and sages - from historic traditions and rituals to the newest insights from cognitive science and psychology. 

Combining Science and Religion, Eastern and Western schools of thoughts, and pre-modern, modern and postmodern worldviews. 

The Integral Approach helps us see both ourselves, the people we relate with and the world in more comprehensive and effective ways. It allows us to step into a broad range of perspectives. These perspectives are more embracing and more inclusive.

One thing which is important to recognise before we continue; The Integral Map is a map. It is not the territory. As Ken Wilber would put it: “We certainly don’t want to confuse the map with the territory, but neither do we want to be working with an inaccurate or faulty map.”

Although we know the Integral Map is not the territory, it still gives us a complete and accurate overview of our potential as Human beings, and what is possible at this point in time in evolution. This map is especially useful in personal growth and development and spiritual inquiry.


S. Cook-Greuter states that most of the full-range human development theories (including the Integral Framework) share generally the following assumptions:

  • Development theory describes the unfolding of human potential towards deeper understanding, wisdom and effectiveness in the world. 

  • Growth occurs in a logical sequence of stages or expanding world views from birth to adulthood. The movement is often likened to an ever widening spiral. Join our upcoming YES& | Mastering Self Course for your Personal Development through the Stages.

  • People’s stage of development influences what they notice and can become aware of, and therefore, what they can describe, articulate, cultivate, influence, and change.

  • While vertical development can be invited and the environment optimally structured towards growth, it cannot be forced. People have the right to be who they are at any stage in life. 

  • Overall, world views evolve from simple to complex, from static to dynamic, and from egocentric to socio-centric to world-centric and beyond.

  • Later stages are reached only by journeying through the earlier stages. Once a stage has been traversed, it remains a part of the individual’s response repertoire, even when more complex, later stages are adopted as primary lenses to look at experience.  

  • Each later stage includes and transcends the previous ones. That is, the earlier perspectives remain part of our current experience and knowledge (just as when a child learns to run, it doesn’t stop to be able to walk). Each later stage in the sequence is more differentiated, integrated, flexible and capable of optimally functioning in a rapidly changing and ever more complex world.

  • As healthy development unfolds, autonomy, freedom, tolerance for difference and ambiguity, as well as flexibility, self-awareness, and skill in interacting with the environment increase, while defensiveness decreases.  

  • Derailment in development, pockets of lack of integration, trauma and psychopathology are seen at all levels. Thus later stages are not more adjusted or “happier.”

  • The later the stage, the more variability for unique self-expression exists, and the less readily we can determine where a person’s center of gravity lies.  

  • All stage descriptions are idealizations that no human being fits entirely. 


It would be appropriate to add another perspective:
One starts to become aware of increased complexity within oneself due to clearing of thoughts in mind, i.e. the memories, associations, perspectives, interpretations and the energy in motion (feelings) accompanied with thoughts in mind.

In other words; the clearer we are from these distractions, the less we are ‘forced down/distracted into’ earlier perspectives. This means that living from an increased, embracing and complex perspective in a true and loving way of being is already available for all of us, within all of us.

This is actually our normal/natural way of being.

And therefore, from my perspective we are clearing back to our original state, we are clearing what is in the way of  our ability to see, live and be as embodied unconditional love.

The stages move into more and more complexity, to then find simplicity at the other end.

Now, let’s look a bit deeper into the models.

Briefly, Wilber’s AQAL model integrates five main component parts into an Integral Theory:

  1. Quadrants of Reality: The four quadrants include four perspectives, (interior and exterior, individual and collective) that all phenomena possess. In other words, these 4 dimensions are co-present in every moment of every day. Viewing life through all of them simultaneously allows for a whole-some worldview.

  2. Stages of Development/Consciousness, which offers the ‘structures of awareness’ or vertical development such as mindsets or attitudes. Each level embraces the previous level to expand these structures to include more variables and complexity. Once you reach stability within a stage of development, you can access the qualities of that particular stage - such as a more embracing love, higher ethical callings, greater intelligence and awareness, this comes with loss of fearful, anxious and depressive thoughts. Passing states have been converted to permanent traits that are now integrated into day to day being.

  3. Lines of Development are corollary to stages, offering a horizontal perspective of development. Each level consists of multiple lines of aptitude akin to Gardner’s Multiple intelligences, such as emotions (EQ), spirituality (SQ), intuition, interpersonal, self-identity (ego development), creativity, cognitive, moral, kinesthetics etc. Although these lines are interrelated in many ways, they all tend to grow and develop at different rates. They can help us understand why it is that some individuals can be very developed in some areas, but poorly developed in others.

  4. States of consciousness involves an unfolding ‘space of awareness’ that is fluid - as in a dream, waking or altered states of consciousness - and they moves through levels of awareness, from gross, to subtle, to causal to non-dual awareness. These states contain a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom and realisations and can be practised and accessed through meditation (sitting practise), psychedelics and lucid dreaming. A state often comes and goes, when well practised and integrated into stages it can become a new stage structure, and therefore a totally new, more holistic, perspective of looking into reality.


    Note: Stages and States may look the same but Stages involve structures of focus (more stable) and States involve space of awareness (more fluid)

  1. Personality Types involve typologies such as Myers Briggs personality, Keirsey, the Enneagram, The Big Five Personality test etc. We work predominantly with the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a system of personality typing that describes the basic patterns and root drives which influence how people perceive the world and manage their thoughts, states and emotions. These core beliefs drive our deepest motivations and fears  and fundamentally shape a person’s worldview and the perspectives through which they see the world.


These 5 elements are aspects of your own experience, contours of your own consciousness that shape your reality moment to moment.

Let’s look more deeply into the 4 quadrants of Reality

Each holon can be seen from within (subjective, interior perspective) and from the outside (objective, exterior perspective), and from an individual or a collective perspective:

Seeing: Interior Individual intentional - (I) personal thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, states of mind, perceptions, perspective, attitude, shadow, mindset.

Sharing: Interior Collective Cultural - (WE) relating with others, shared values, meanings, community, relationships, family interactions, listening, giving and receiving feedback, cultures, communication with others - both personal and professional relating.

Going: Exterior Individual Behavioural - (IT) material body (incl. brain), visible and measurable behaviour, practices, habits, intended action, nutritional intake, decisions, skills, competence.

Checking: Exterior Collective Social - (IT’s) systems, networks, technology, government and natural environment. How do intentions (I) and communication with others (WE) behaviours (IT) fit into the system at large?


According to Wilber, all four perspectives offer complementary, rather than contradictory, perspectives. All quadrants are simultaneously true, and all are necessary for a complete account of human existence. Each by itself offers only a partial view of reality. Together they form a holistic perspective on reality. The more we as individuals can flex and flow between the 4 quadrants, the more flexibility we have as a human being.

And like the law of Requisite Variety suggests: “The element in any system with the most flexibility will exercise the greatest influence” 

‘The element’ could be you, a business or a family system.


In other words, the more flexibility, complexity and dimensions you can comprehend within your worldview, the more influence you will have in the world. This can enhance your relationships, reduce overwhelm, stress, anxiety or depressive thoughts, and increase your capacity to Show Up in the world in effective, meaningful and useful ways.

Let’s look more deeply into the Stages of Development
The Stages of Development represent stages of organization and complexity within a quadrant. The levels in each quadrant demonstrate part (a Holon) of the whole (holarchy), with each new stage or level transcending the limitations of the previous levels while still including the essential aspects of each prior level.

Rather than replacing previous levels, each emergent level expands the complexity and capacity. This describes the emergence of “holons within a holarchy,” each one distinct but still part of a whole. This suggests that systems evolve in a punctuated way, for example, atoms to molecules to organisms.

It’s like climbing up a ladder, the higher we climb up the ladder, the further our perspectives can see, the deeper we can understand complexity and the wider our embrace for other perspectives and parts of reality is. Every human is born at the first stage, ARCHAIC - INFRARED, and moves up the ladder through INDIGENOUS - MAGENTA, TRIBAL - RED, TRADITIONAL - AMBER, MODERN - ORANGE, POST MODERN - GREEN, INTEGRAL - TEAL, INTEGRAL - TURQUOISE, POST - INTEGRAL - INDIGO, VIOLET, ULTRAVIOLET and CLEAR LIGHT.


See a full overview of the stages of Development
HERE.

It is not possible to skip a step (or stage). And therefore, for each human being this is a journey that we, no matter what, are all on.

We are all moving along the ladder, whether we have been aware of it at this stage, or not. We are all fully involved in the cosmic envelope of the unfolding of the universe and reality. Also, it is important to recognize that these “stages” are not strictly separate levels, or strictly individual steps on a ladder. They are more like loosely delineated areas along a spectrum of development. Thus, a stage is more like a probability wave than a concrete level of consciousness.

The beauty of Wilber’s model is that it shows us how we all play an essential part of human evolution, evolution on the planet and reality as a whole.

What is our specific contribution to this evolutionary unfolding?

And how can we individually and collectively experience and express more love for ourselves and others?

Developmental psychologists estimate that around 95% of the adult population worldwide is viewing from First Tier consciousness. Which are all stages from ARCHAIC until POST MODERN - GREEN.

About 30 - 40% of Western adults are spending time in MODERN - ORANGE and POST MODERN - GREEN. Orange Rational Reasoning worldview values rationality & science, materialism and individuality. Pluralistic Green worldview has a world-centric worldview and values equality, civil rights & environmentalism. This worldview can be sensitive and perceived to be almost ‘mean’, because the opinions are strong and there is more energy behind those opinions. What all first tier stages have in common is: ‘my view is the right one’ or at least ‘my view is better than yours’

About 5% of adults worldwide are now moving into the INTEGRAL (TEAL) stage of development. Which is the first stage in Second Tier consciousness. TEAL is the first Stage that recognises that their perspective is biased and partial. And the first Stage that can hold a 4th to 5th person perspective on reality and how reality is constructed by meaning made up by thoughts in the mind. A complete shift in perspective and naturally more embracing, loving and genuinely open due to its increased understanding of complexity of meaning making.  

About 1% of the adult population worldwide is viewing from Third Tier, POST INTEGRAL - INDIGO and beyond. 

Second Tier consciousness, first stage INTEGRAL - TEAL can see and comprehend way more complex thinking, sees the bigger picture and sees the interconnectedness in systems and natural holarchies. Teal also is the first stage that fully accepts and agrees that all stages are a holistic and integrated part of life and evolution. And therefore TEAL is the first stage that can truly recognise the natural unfolding of reality and embrace every human being on their unique path of the journey and therefore is the first stage where outward projection starts to truly vanish. True Responsibility and Autonomy come online.

 

S. Cook-Greuter recognises TEAL through the following signs:

- One sees life as an open-ended journey that doesn’t stop when the body dies.

- When one fully realizes that most prior meaning making was socially and culturally conditioned, scientific certainty and the judgmental frame of mind break down.

- A big discovery for this stage is the relativity of points of view.

- One's attention turns from outcomes and deliverables to an interest in the processes, the relationships and the complex, non-linear influences among variables.

- Individualists are often concerned with making a unique and personal contribution to the world independent of any socially approved roles or tasks.

- The expanded 4th person perspective is now truly world-centric. While earlier stages may express world-centric values and goals, TEAL individuals embrace the tenets of a global worldview and can embody them. They have internalized systems thinking. They not only see the interconnected aspects of the external world, but also that of their own meaning making. With the expanded time frame and wider social networks, Autonomous persons can perceive systemic patterns or long-term trends and are often valued for that ‘strategic’ capacity and vision.

- One is now truly capable of ‘owning’ and integrating many disparate parts of themselves.

- One is  aware of their own ‘becoming’ - meaning making structures.

- One can struggle with increased paradox and confusion due to increased complexity.


Now,  how can this theoretical framework support us in understanding Human Growth and Potential, Solve Complex issues and heal Relationships?

Below, 10 reasons why working with Integral Theory is useful:

  1. The more complex perspectives we can hold, the more we can embrace. Within ourselves as well as within other people. We can understand the positive intention of the other person more deeply. This can improve and heal relating with others on a deep level.

  2.  The model gives us an understanding of why the world is structured the way it is. This can bring about acceptance and relaxation as we can now acknowledge reality and her natural flow.

  3. Acknowledges and fosters individual and cultural diversity and difference. The Integral Framework can help us to genuinely include different perspectives, worldviews and cultural backgrounds. As we can embrace more diversity and difference, this will naturally lead to a decrease of arguments and violence.

  4. The Integral Framework actively supports adult human flourishing, rather than using therapy, healing and coaching solely on pathology. We can recognise and use the framework to support blossoming for every human being.

  5. Unlike traditional psychology the Integral Framework supports Self-Cultivation. The framework recognizes the healer/coach/trainer/teacher can only support growth and healing to the level of their own personal development. Given this attitude, the integral clinician recognizes the importance of both self-cultivation as well as the acquisition of technical competence.

  6. The Integral framework helps us to recognize patterns, and not just details and outcomes. More complex system thinking and the time span an individual can comprehend becomes wider and wider. This allows us to see further in the future, long-term effects, intergenerationally and cosmo-centric.

  7. The framework also supports an interdisciplinary team approach. Due to understanding of different personality types, diverse perspectives, diverse values, meanings and frames there is an increase in embrace and effectiveness of teams.

  8. A deeper connection to life, more joy, love and compassion becomes more and more available. Or rather, we are less distracted by the things that actually don’t matter.

  9. The Integral Framework shows us support in dealing with increasing technology. The framework can support us in our individual and collective discernment capacities, moral and ethical intelligence.

  10.  Studying the Integral framework is psycho-active. And therefore the framework in and of itself can provide growth, healing and change within individuals and groups.


In short, The Integral framework teaches us to see with new eyes. The real odyssey of life.

In our upcoming 10 week course, YES& MASTERING SELF, we go in depth into the Integral framework as a tool for Self-Development and Spiritual Inquiry. The course is designed to give you in-depth awareness, and free you from, your cognitive biases, beliefs and blind-spots. 

Transform your personal and professional life through this course.
More information and Registration here.

 

Links:
Book: A Religion of Tomorrow by Ken Wilber
Book: A Theory of Everything by Ken Wilber

James D Duffy, September 21, 2020, A Primer on Integral Theory and Its Application to Mental Health Care, retrieved from here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2164956120952733

Tony Zampella, June 26, 2018, Integral Theory, From Behaving to Belonging, retrieved from here: https://www.bhavanalearning.com/integral-theory-behaving-belonging-part1/

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