iTheory in Our Words…

 Integral Theory is a model that helps us to genealogically locate and pluralistically honor ALL perspectives and include their partial and valid truths into a multi-dimensional whole that contains and integrates the most available truth from the most dimensions of any model to date.

While this may seem complex at first, it quickly becomes beautifully clear and efficient to apply in external analysis and interior self-inquiry, which has led to its widespread adoption as a practical model by those with an interest in evolutionary consciousness and evolutionary enlightenment.

Also known as the AQAL Matrix [All-Quadrants/All-Lines], integral theory describes BOTH the STRUCTURE of consciousness (such as stages and/or altitudes) in which the CONTENT of consciousness arises AND that content. AQAL consists of four dimensions or quadrants of experience (interior individual, exterior individual, interior collective, exterior collective) and/or the (simplified version of the Four Quadrants) the "Big Three" native perspectives. They are "I" (1st person perspective [1-p]), "We" (2nd person perspective [2-p]), and "It" (3rd person perspective [3-p]), also described as art/self, morals/culture, science/nature and/or the Good, True, and Beautiful of the ancient Greeks. Other aspects of AQAL are stages of development, states of consciousness, types (i.e. active, passive, feminine, masculine, enneagram, astrology), and lines (i.e. spiritual, cognitive, identity,

We incorporate BOTH subjective and objective perspectives of the Western traditions (awareness of developmental pathologies, unhealthy fusion, dissociation and fragmentation [i.e. psychotherapy, shadow work]) AND the NONDUAL perspective (together known as the "Two Truths Doctrine"). Although this perspective cannot be spoken about, it can be directly experienced.

Validity is determined and tested by the "3 strands of adequate truth": (1) Injunction (do this experiment, in this way), (2) Illumination (directly experience the result of the experiment), and (3) Verification/Falsification (do the results agree or disagree for all qualified experimenters?); not by any absolutist assertions or subjectively unbalanced emphasis, bias, or preference.                                                      

It is important to remember that the integral model is just a map, however, and the map and the territory are not the same thing, but for those who strive for adequate and real growth, enhancing healthy differentiation and integration, an excellent map can be the difference between rapid progress, and years or decades lost pointlessly meandering in unhealthy dissociation, fragmentation, pre-trans fallacies, self-reflexive rationalizations and/or regressive myths. We believe we live in the times where 'rapid progress' is becoming a necessity for survival.
emotional; similar to Gardner's multiple intelligences etc.).

Our goal is to move more elegantly and fluidly between multiple perspectives to appropriately match our dynamically changing life conditions and to shed light on exclusivist focus and SINGLE viewpoints, stuck and absolutist perspectives, dominating and rigid hierarchies, pre-trans fallacies (the error of calling fusion transcendence), regressive myths/pre-rational fixations, and limiting beliefs as they arise, to free up consciousness so that it may evolve and continue the journey up the Spiral.

The bottom line with Integral Theory is that "All valid truth is invited to the party", where they can be subtly differentiated, holistically integrated, genealogically located, and pluralistically honored, all the way up, and all the way down.                  

Thanks for reading! Eliot & Jana

Here is some information and resourceful links for self-directed research from beginners level to advanced.

A great start is the article "What is Integral Introduction to Theory and Practice" by Integral Naked.

Here is a glossary of integral theory and terms presented in the AQAL Journal from Integral Institute. (We recommend subscribing if you are really interested in this stuff!)

It is important to stay up-to-date with Wilber's theory as each phase includes revolutionary upgrades. Wilber's current model is Wilber-5, which we discuss more in depth.

We also suggest reading Integral Spirituality (Wilber-5) which can be purchased by Amazon.

For more advanced integral students, we highly recommend reading Wilber's Excerpts at Shambala.

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