Integral

                                                                  Integral

                          

                                             

                                    Happy are those who find wisdom….

                                  She is more precious than jewels,

                                and nothing you desire can compare with her….

                                Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

                                and all her paths are peace….

                               Get insight, get wisdom: do not forget

                                       (Jewish Torah, Proverbs 3:13, 17, 4:5).

Let's return to our definition of synchronicity as “Awareness of One Integral Whole.” The word integral is integral to this definition so let's flesh it out, integral- 1) necessary to make a whole complete; essential or fundamental- games are an integral part of the school's curriculum, 2) included as part of the whole rather than supplied separately- systematic training should be integral to library management, 3) having or containing all parts that are necessary to be complete.

I am greatly indebted to the work of Ken Wilber, who in my view is one of the greatest thinkers/writers/teachers of the late 20^th and 21^st century. His work is an Integral Model that includes the most dimensions from the most sources, it is a model that is comprehensive in it's scope. My work, theories, and practice are certainly heavily derivative of his and the many followers that take the Integral vision into new and higher vistas.

What I try and contribute to this Integral work with my clients is what Jung called being a gnostic intermediary. Jung used this term for Evans-Wentz's in his translation of The Tibetan Book of the Dead. This is because Evans-Wentz was able to convey the wisdom, subtlety, and spiritual knowledge of this work much more than just the information and rationality. A gnostic intermediary possesses a deep understanding of, and practical skill in responding to, the central existential issues of life. Greek philosophers referred to this understanding as sophia, and to this practical skill as phronesis (Sternberg & Jordan, 2005).

Knowledge is something you have, wisdom is something you are. My work with clients is that of translating them to themselves, I will also help introduce kids to their parents; “Mr. Jones, let me introduce your son Bobby…,” Parents are notorious for thinking they know their kids. People come to therapy because they are stuck, suffering, and have blinders to themselves, I am, as it were, an anthropologist arriving in foreign territory, seeking to understand, and reflect back to see if I'm getting it right. This process creates inspiration, ah ha moments, builds healthy relationships, and catalyzes new behaviors and perspective. It's as if a person is rediscovering themselves and remembering who they are, it is always fulfilling, yet certainly has a degree of pain and rude awakening.