Everyone Is Right

Watch the full episode here: https://integrallife.com/healing-the-infosphere In today’s digital era, the infosphere is a vast and tumultuous sea of information, where news and data churn through the collective consciousness at breakneck speed. This relentless flow presents profound challenges as individuals and societies grapple with the complexities of discerning truth from misinformation, genuine discourse from manipulative rhetoric, and enduring values from fleeting trends. Amidst this chaotic backdrop, the need for a transformative approach to journalism becomes clear — an approach that not only navigates these turbulent waters but also seeks to calm them, providing clarity and insight in a world overwhelmed by the noise of perpetual connectivity. In this wide-ranging discussion, Corey deVos talks to Stefan Schultz, a journalist at Der Spiegel magazine, about his model for integral journalism that he has been developing over the past few years. This model, staggering in both its depth and its breadth, examines journalism and media literacy through a developmental lens, looking at how the infosphere shapes society and how journalism can positively influence this process. Stefan outlines the four key problem areas he sees in journalism today: frustration among reporters, dissatisfaction in audiences due to lack of perspectives/empathy/positivity in coverage, challenges for media companies in retaining subscribers, and polarization in society. To address these systemic issues, Stefan convened an interdisciplinary team to examine the problem from all angles and prototype solutions. He views journalism as one part of a larger ecosystem that also includes both the infosphere and society. Every developmental stage, from Amber to Teal, has beneficial and detrimental impacts on this ecosystem. The goal is to amplify the positive contributions of each stage while minimizing the negatives — for example, having journalists at different stages collaborate: Amber focuses on group cohesion, Orange on investigation, Green on empathy, Teal on synthesis, etc. Ultimately, integral journalism aims to facilitate development by exposing people to more complex information, healthier discourse, and inspiration for transformation. While the infosphere has become decentralized and overwhelming, journalists can still act as “beacons” to promote greater wisdom and maturity in public dialogue. The integral model provides a roadmap for how journalism can evolve to better meet the needs of a complex world.

Watch the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/the-art-of-integral-conversation Dr. Keith Witt and Corey deVos explore the concept of “turquoise dialectic” – a sophisticated form of integral discourse that emerges at the later stages of human development. Drawing upon their deep understanding of adult development and integral theory, they explore the feeling and transformative potential of the turquoise “we-space”, and how we might create the conditions for this type of conversation to unfold. What is a “turquoise dialectic”? The term “dialectic” originates in ancient Greece, signifying the various methods of reasoning and discussion in order to discover the truth. It is most often associated with the work of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, whose well-known process of “thesis, antithesis, synthesis” is often regarded as a fundamental aspect of integral thinking and sense-making. In this discussion, we refer to the term “dialectic” to represent a fluid, multidimensional form of discourse that acknowledges the constructed nature of all perspectives, and seeks to both situate and synthesize those perspectives (and their associated methods of knowing) into a more coherent understanding of reality — consciously inquiring into the frameworks and assumptions that shape our perceptions and understandings of the world around us. This kind of Turquoise discourse facilitates the emergence of new forms of consciousness, co-creating novel ways of being and understanding that align with the interdependence and mystery of existence. Communication becomes a sacred practice of conscious participation in the evolution of humanity and the kosmos, demanding radical humility, transparency, and a release of fixed identities. Participants continually challenge themselves to expand awareness, embrace paradox, and open to the unknown, engaging in an ongoing exploration of the frontiers of human potential. How do we set the conditions for a turquoise dialectic? Imagine that every conversation is something like a poker game, where the players decide the rules before each hand. If you’ve got five players at the table, and each is coming from an Amber stage of development, then the rules will be set up according to Amber-stage views and values, and it will basically be an Amber game. If all the players are Turquoise, you’ll get turquoise rules, a turquoise game, and therefore a turquoise we-space. It’s as simple as that! Or is it? Human beings, after all, are far more complicated than this. We are not developmental stereotypes, we instead possess an entire stack of evolutionary intelligences within us — all of which are constantly growing and adapting, and any of which we may be inhabiting at a given time, depending on the context we find ourselves in. Turquoise people can happily play Red games, Amber games, Orange games, and so forth, because all of these stages are still alive within them. The trick, therefore, is not just getting the right people to the table, but also establishing the right rules and norms that are most conducive to turquoise enfoldment. Of course, these are not the sorts of strict rules and regulations that we might find in an Amber game. They are rather a series of basic guardrails, orienting generalizations, and attractor points that can help the group to self-organize, participants to self-regulate, and the dialectic itself to self-govern. It’s about “rigging the game” so that authentic transformation, deep empathy, and collective sense-making become the winning strategies, allowing us to create a space together that invites and includes all of us, and all of the multitudes we contain, while guiding us toward our highest and wisest possible Self.

The Lost Art of Adulthood: Reviving Our Rites of Passage [PREVIEW] by Integral Life

Listen to the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/the-psychology-of-splitting/ You are driving along in your car, your mind wandering from one place to the next, when suddenly someone cuts into your lane and causes you to slow down and miss the green light. At that moment, you feel a powerful rage erupt within you. You honk your horn, slam your steering wheel, maybe yell a cuss word or two in order to express your anger. “What an absolute jerk,” you think to yourself. A moment later, the rage passes, and you find yourself surprised by your own reaction. It was just a mild inconvenience, after all, and for all you know the other car was rushing due to some emergency you couldn’t possibly know about. “Why did I get so angry?” you ask yourself. “Why did I suddenly lose control? Where did all that patience and equanimity and empathy go?” Don’t worry, it didn’t go anywhere. You simply experienced a temporary state of psychological splitting, a momentary dissociation that all of us have encountered at one time or another. “Splitting” is a common defense mechanism that allows people to tolerate any number of challenging or even overwhelming emotions, typically by protecting strong negative qualities onto others. Often experienced during adolescence, splitting can also occur in adults during times of high or sudden stress. Typically these states are quickly recognized and regulated by the rest of the self-system after they occur, which are those times when we say to ourselves “whoa, I really lost it there.” For others, particularly people with borderline personality disorder, it can be more difficult to regulate ourselves out of these states, as Dr. Keith explains in this episode. Although it is often regarded as a pathology, dissociation, says Keith, can also be seen as a human superpower. We dissociate all the time. In fact, you are likely dissociating at this very moment, or else you would be unable to read these words on your screen without a thousand other distractions pulling your attention away. Well-regulated dissociation is what allows us to focus, to concentrate, to locate the signal in the ongoing rush of noise of our day to day lives. The problem, of course, is when we are unable to regulate our dissociative tendencies, which can then lead to conflict, abuse, and harm. Watch as Dr. Keith and Corey explore the psychological process of splitting, revealing how awareness and regulation of these processes can lead to a more health and healing, as well as to a more integrated and resilient self. By acknowledging the nuanced nature of our emotional responses and learning to navigate them with compassion and mindfulness, we open the door to deeper self-understanding and more harmonious relationships with others.

In this rich and wide-ranging dialogue, Corey deVos and Ryan Oelke explore the nature of integral awakening, drawing on their own experiences and the insights of integral theory. They discuss how awakening is a universal human potential, but one that is profoundly shaped by the unique "Kosmic address" of each individual - their particular stage of development, state of consciousness, typologies, cultural contexts, social conditions, and so forth. Corey and Ryan share how their own journeys of awakening have been both deeply personal and intimately connected with the larger integral community. They highlight the importance of having a supportive framework and community of practice to help navigate the often challenging and destabilizing terrain of spiritual growth. Integral theory, they suggest, provides a vital map for understanding the many dimensions of awakening, from the individual to the collective, from the psychological to the spiritual. The discussion also explores the potential pitfalls and shadow sides of the spiritual path, such as spiritual bypassing, narcissism, and the temptation to use spirituality as a way to avoid the messiness of everyday life. Corey shares a powerful story of how a family health crisis forced him to confront and let go of certain spiritual attachments and identities, leading to a deeper, simpler, and more grounded way of being. This conversation is a beautiful example of what Ryan calls "Integral Dharma" - an elegant synthesis of Buddhist wisdom and integral theory that he explores in depth in his groundbreaking new web course. Integral Dharma offers a unique path to spiritual awakening, personal transformation, and purposeful engagement with the world, one that is both rooted in ancient wisdom and responsive to the unique challenges and opportunities of our time. As Ryan explains, this approach goes beyond conceptual understanding to foster a profound shift in how we perceive and embody the spiritual path in every aspect of our lives. Throughout the conversation, Corey and Ryan emphasize the importance of engaging spiritual awakening as an ongoing, embodied, and participatory process. Rather than a one-time event or final destination, integral awakening is seen as a continual unfolding, a deepening into the mystery of being that embraces both the timeless ground of pure awareness and the dynamic, evolving world of form. They invite listeners to bring curiosity, humility, and a willingness to engage the full-spectrum of human experience as they navigate their own unique paths of integral awakening.

Full discussion: https://integrallife.com/cancelled-the-battle-for-free-speech-in-the-integral-age/ In this thought-provoking episode, Keith Witt and Corey delve into the complex and contentious issue of cancel culture, examining its implications for free speech, academic freedom, and social cohesion. They explore why understanding the nuances of cancel culture is crucial in today’s polarized environment and how an Integral perspective can provide a holistic view that embraces complexity, encourages growth, and seeks balance. This approach helps make sense of the divisive issues at hand by considering multiple dimensions of human experience and societal structures, aiming to find pathways toward more inclusive and constructive discourse. Dr. Keith brings to the conversation a deep analysis of the psychological and cultural dynamics at play within cancel culture, emphasizing the importance of embracing dialectic engagement — a method of conversation that seeks to integrate opposing views — to foster our personal and collective evolution. He also highlights the ways in which educational and professional institutions have become battlegrounds for ideological conflict, the detrimental effects of cancel culture on academic freedom, and the necessity for individuals to embody their principles courageously. Corey, meanwhile, focuses on some of the core polarities at play in our cultural regression toward illiberalism, noting how the decentralization of information in the social media era inevitably fragments our sense of shared reality, and amplifies perspectives that are as divisive as they are diverse. He describes how the democratization of information results in an overall diminishment of our collective discourse, allowing pre-rational views and narratives to flood into our informational terrains. This in turn provokes something like a collective defense mechanism in the rest of society as our shared standards of inclusion and exclusion recalibrate to these new realities, often resulting in an unfortunate overcorrection toward illiberal solutions. This episode offers a rich and nuanced exploration of cancel culture through the lens of Integral Theory. Keith and Corey’s insights illuminate the complex interplay between individual beliefs, cultural dynamics, and systemic structures, underscoring the importance of fostering open dialogue, critical thinking, and empathy to navigate the challenges of the postmodern media era we find ourselves in.

The Seven Sins of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) — Highlights by Integral Life

Watch the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/how-to-awaken-and-empower-the-integral-man/ Keith Martin-Smith and Jason Lange explore the challenges and ongoing evolution of masculinity. Watch as they delve into topics such as the impact of societal norms on men’s behavior, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the journey from traditional to more integrated forms of masculinity, bringing a wealth of insights to help men navigate their roles and identities in a rapidly changing social landscape.

Watch the full episode here: https://integrallife.com/transforming-self-society-and-the-spaces-between-us/ In this enlightening episode of The Ken Show, hosts Ken Wilber and Corey deVos embark on a profound journey through the multifaceted realms of systems theory, communication, and social evolution. They dissect the nuanced perspectives of “inside” and “outside” views in systems, delve into the transformative power of communication paradigms throughout history, and critically examine the influence of social media on the overall emergence of integral consciousness. The conversation ends with a powerful discussion on the symbiotic relationship between personal transformation and social transformation, advocating for a holistic approach to finding radical wholeness in an increasingly fragmented world. This dialogue serves as a beacon for those navigating the complex interdependencies of self, society, and the emerging global community.

Watch the full presentation here: https://integrallife.com/awaken-your-integral-heart In this profound presentation by Brad Reynolds, we explore the essence of integral consciousness and its implications for personal and societal transformation. Delving deep into the heart's role in spiritual awakening, the conversation emphasizes the interconnectedness of the head, heart, body, and spirit, with the breath as a conduit for circulating spiritual energy. The discussion touches upon the rich tapestry of human development, drawing from the wisdom of ancient traditions and modern integral thought. Brad's emphasis on love as a transformative force is particularly moving, with the assertion that to truly be integral, one must embody love. Brad repeatedly underscores the importance of genuine spiritual practice, urging individuals to find their path to access higher states of consciousness. As the world stands on the cusp of a new integral age, the responsibility to infuse love into the fabric of our civilization becomes paramount, potentially serving as the salvation of our society. This presentation serves as a beacon for those on the integral path, offering insights and guidance for deepening one's understanding and practice. Watch the full presentation here: https://integrallife.com/awaken-your-integral-heart

Explore the profound intersection of consciousness, responsibility, and human relationships. https://integrallife.com/why-greater-depth-means-greater-responsibility Watch as Dr. Keith Witt and Corey deVos delve into the profound interdependence between human development and responsibility, exploring how our deepening self-awareness shapes our relationships and societal roles in an ever-evolving world. At the heart of the discussion is the compelling notion that as we evolve in our understanding and self-awareness, we bear a greater onus to guide, uplift, and positively influence those around us. This responsibility is especially important in the realm of relationships, where the path to trust and understanding is often fraught with challenges, yet rich with opportunities for growth. This episode delves deep into Keith’s concept of the “Wise Self,” an intrinsic wellspring of wisdom and insight that transcends mere life experiences. The talk also addresses the often-unseen barriers we erect, from “fortresses of hostile beliefs” to societal pressures, and offers insights into dismantling these barriers for genuine connection and understanding. This discussion is not just a reflection on consciousness and relationships; it’s a call to action. It challenges listeners to introspect, to recognize and nurture their innate wisdom, and to actively engage in practices that foster growth, empathy, and authentic connection. In a world where individualism often overshadows collective well-being, this talk serves as a timely reminder of our shared responsibility to contribute positively to the tapestry of human relationships and society at large. Watch the full episode here: https://integrallife.com/why-greater-depth-means-greater-responsibility

Watch the full presentation here: https://integrallife.com/meta-ideological-politics/ In a time where information is abundant, society faces the unintended repercussions of ideological rigidity, tribalism, and deep-rooted discord. The initial promise of social media to nurture connections and global understanding has, in many cases, led to the opposite effect. Rather than bridging gaps, these platforms often widen them, creating ideological echo chambers where individuals are only exposed to congruent views, thereby reinforcing and intensifying their existing beliefs. This tribal mindset not only hinders genuine dialogue but also exacerbates societal divisions, leading to a polarized world where anything like a “middle ground” seems harder to find than ever. Ryan’s presentation delves into the complex nature of ideology and its profound impact on our perceptions, interactions, and behaviors. He underscores the human brain’s inherent tendency to seek patterns, elucidating how ideologies aid us in deciphering the world but can also misguide us. Ryan describes three definitions of “meta” to elucidate the concept of meta-ideological politics: “meta” as transcending, “meta” as between, and “meta” as self-aware or self-referential. He then defines ideology as “a constellation of foundational premises about politics and society, often which are contested by others, that form the basis for normative prescriptions.” Through interactive exercises and discussions, Ryan emphasized the necessity to transcend (and include) our entrenched beliefs, and to approach political and social issues with greater maturity, empathy, and nuance. Ryan calls us to rise above the conflicts and limitations of conventional ideological frameworks. By recognizing the pitfalls of tribal thinking and the distortions of social media, there’s an opportunity to foster a more inclusive, more understanding, and more holistic worldview. Embracing this meta-ideological approach can help us extend our empathy and more fully inhabit each other’s point of view, while paving the way for more constructive dialogues and a more unified approach to addressing the pressing challenges of our time. Through the lens of meta-ideological politics, individuals and communities can navigate the complex ideological landscape with confident humility, avoiding the pitfalls of homogeneity and fragmentation, and fostering a culture of open dialogue and mutual respect.

Listen to the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/integral-perspectives-on-alcoholism/ Alcohol addiction is a deeply entrenched issue that affects a significant portion of the population, with around 10% of children being raised in a family with at least one alcoholic parent as of 2019. In this episode of Witt and Wisdom, Dr. Keith Witt and Corey deVos undertake a comprehensive exploration of alcohol addiction, its effects, and the recovery process through the lens of Ken Wilber’s integral theory, which encompasses all four quadrants – individual (internal and external) and collective (internal and external). This approach facilitates a deep understanding of the issue, shedding light on the personal experiences of the addict and the broader societal implications, and offers a more holistic view of the complexities involved in alcohol addiction. The conversation is not just a deep dive into the negatives associated with addiction, but also offers a hopeful perspective on recovery, emphasizing the transformative power of integral awareness in finding more fulfilling and healthier solutions. By examining the effects, addiction, and recovery through all four quadrants, Keith and Corey offer a rich and nuanced understanding of the issue, encouraging a more inclusive and empathetic approach to dealing with alcohol addiction. This discussion stands as a vital resource, not just for those grappling with addiction, but also for their families and society at large, fostering a deeper understanding and highlighting pathways to healing and recovery. It calls for a collective effort, urging everyone to be more aware and to actively participate in the transformative journey from addiction to recovery, thereby nurturing a society that is more understanding, compassionate, and equipped to handle the complexities of alcohol addiction.

Watch the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/from-socrates-to-social-media/ In this episode of Integral Justice Warrior, hosts Mark Fischler and Corey deVos are joined by Nadine Strossen, a renowned advocate for free speech and former president of the ACLU, to traverse the rich history and the evolving frontier of free speech — a legacy that reaches from the philosophical debates of ancient Greece to today’s postmodern social media platforms. Together, Nadine, Mark, and Corey illuminate the critical importance of free speech, celebrating it as a beacon of individual rights, a testament to the unyielding human pursuit of truth and self expression, and a crowning achievement of the rational Orange stage of individual and collective development. Freedom of speech is not something to be taken for granted. It is, in fact, the cornerstone of democracy itself, and a principle that needs to be fought for and renewed with every new generation. As speech itself continues to evolve, so do the sorts of challenges that come along with it — and in today’s information age, those challenges have become as complicated and entrenched as ever: - the propagation of hate speech, misinformation, and propaganda, - “flooding the zone” with speech that normalizes extremist views and values, - undermining trust in our academic, media, and political institutions, - the paradox of tolerance and the delicate task of delineating the boundaries of acceptable discourse. These issues require solutions that are at least as complex and nuanced as the problems themselves. To many, it seems that censorship represents a quick and easy way to cut through those challenges — but of course censorship typically gives rise to far more severe problems, stifling open dialogue and eroding the foundational principles that uphold democratic societies. Drawing from the profound insights in her book Hate: Why We Should Resist It With Free Speech, Not Censorship, Nadine Strossen articulates that the remedy to things like “hate speech” is not suppression, but instead fostering a richer, more inclusive discourse. She advocates for a greater embrace of free speech, seeing it as a pathway to understanding and social harmony. We find ourselves at a pivotal juncture in history. In a world transformed by the digital revolution, offering unprecedented avenues for self-expression, there are more flavors and varieties of speech than ever before — and also more efforts to silence that speech. We can see this schism running throughout the American political landscape, where both major parties perceive themselves as the last guardians of free speech who are defending this sacred right from the opposing party, a testament to the deeply polarized nature of contemporary discourse. The conversation deepens as Nadine, Mark, and Corey examine a number of landmark Supreme Court rulings, including Brandenburg versus Ohio, New York Times versus Sullivan, and Buckley v. Valeo, each a pillar supporting the intricate architecture of free speech in America. These cases beckon us to engage more profoundly with the nuances of free speech, urging a deeper understanding and commitment to this fundamental right. This episode invites you on a journey of reflection, urging a renewed commitment to the principles of free speech — a commitment grounded in understanding, respect, and the unyielding belief in the transformative power of words. Tune in to be part of a conversation that spans centuries, yet is as relevant today as it was in the time of Socrates. We hope you enjoy.

Toward an Integral Meta-Psychotherapy [HIGHLIGHTS] by Integral Life

Listen to the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/pearl-jam-restoring-idealism-to-rock-and-roll/ Every now and again, pop culture reinvents itself. Our collective tastes are born, destroyed, and reborn again, swinging like a massive pendulum from one aesthetic extreme to the next. As a new cultural niche becomes more and more popularized, fierce artistic independence eventually devolves into reckless overindulgence, and creative novelty slowly bleeds away until all that is left is a formulaic husk used to manufacture tomorrow’s next fads. It is usually at this point, when a particular scene becomes so over-saturated that it can no longer support the weight of its own excess, that the entire scene dies an often-humiliating death, bloated and alone on an unflushed toilet. In the 1980s the music scene in America was dominated by the glut and theatrics of “glam metal.” For nearly 10 years, most of popular music was defined by sex, drugs, and machismo-in-drag, and an entire generation of youth nearly lost themselves within a cloud of hairspray. There was a void in the cultural heart of the musical mainstream that was dying to be filled—an utter lack of artistic interiority, emotional depth, and authenticity. Untold millions were craving artistic substance, and were only offered artificial decadence. Then along came grunge, taking the entire world by storm in the early 90′s. From the rain-soaked streets of Seattle emerged a new voice for American youth. In much the same way that punk music arrived just in time to offer salvation for our Disco-era sins, grunge music promised to completely cleanse our cultural palette, placing an aesthetic imperative upon more simplicity, more spontaneity, and more sincerity. And so bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Pearl Jam crashed into the mainstream, forever changing the landscape of American music. From behind a tsunami of massively distorted guitars, hallowed vocals, and countless acres of flannel, appeared an unmistakable return to introspection and idealism — even while cloaked by themes of angst and despair, the natural result of our collective interiors being ignored for almost a decade. Few bands of the era embody this move toward introspection and idealism as strongly as Pearl Jam. As the grunge scene continued to explode, it was becoming apparent that the inherent iconoclasm of the scene was ill-suited to handle the immense pressures of fame, and many artists found themselves circling the drain of inevitable self-destruction — for many, Kurt Cobain’s suicide was a morbid reminder of what can happen when artistic ideals are reduced to mere currency for the status-sphere. One by one the originators of grunge began to fall away, and an impossibly huge body of talent was forever lost to suicide and drug addiction. Not many bands survived as the industry began churning out the newest grunge-inspired fads, marketed (ironically) as “alternative rock.” Pearl Jam was one of the few who did make it through this period of intense commodification. Unlike most others from the Seattle era, they were able to prevent themselves from being crushed by the enormous pressure that their celebrity brought to their personal and professional lives. While they did in a sense try to distance themselves from their own fame, they were also simultaneously using their celebrity as a platform for their idealism, soon finding themselves fighting “on all fronts” for initiating real change in the world. From their famed battle with the corruption of the Ticketmaster venue monopoly, to publicly berating the policies of George W. Bush, to expressing pro-choice sentiments in concert, to promoting awareness around Crohn’s disease — Pearl Jam was helping to return rock and roll to its roots, in terms of both the profoundly personal and the deeply political. And they continue to do it to this day, more than 30 years since the band first formed.

Brendan Graham Dempsey is a writer whose work focuses on the meaning crisis and the nature of spirituality in metamodernity. Brendan is also very active in the Metamodern community, which many people recognize as an “integrally-adjacent” constellation of hearts and minds that are trying to usher in a more meaningful and fulfilling way to participate with humanity’s unfolding — not just to navigate the extreme complexity of our times, but also striving to find the simplicity on the other side of all that complexity. Sound familiar? Metamodernism and the integral paradigm share a lot in common, yet also differ in important ways. To what degree should these terms be conflated or kept apart? What unites them, and what constitute the meaningful distinctions? What role do things like sensibility, generation, emphasis, and epistemology play? This gathering provided an opportunity to dig into this topic. To this end, metamodern thinker Brendan Graham Dempsey offers some history and a bit of compare/contrast perspectives on the topic. So is metamodernism integral? Is integral metamodern? Watch this discussion with Brendan Dempsey, and let us know what you think!

Watch the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/sex-identity-gender-beyond-wokism-and-trumpism/ Following Keith’s table-setting discussion of sex and gender last month, in this episode we push even further into the front lines of the culture war skirmishes that have become so plentiful over the last several years. Corey deVos joins Keith to discuss how our notions of sex, gender, and identity apply to some of the most contentious and pressing issues of our time — gender education in schools, men’s rights issues, the banning of drag shows, trans people participating in sports, the availability of gender-affirming care for young people, the impact of social media on gender identity, and more. In order to answer the question “what is a man” (or “what is a woman”), Keith and Corey carefully track sex, gender, and identity as fundamental aspects of the self that can exist in a state of fusion, differentiation, dissociation, or integration, depending on the developmental stage(s) the question is being asked from. This is one of the most common causes of conflict around this issue, as people have very different meanings of words like “gender”, which can refer to biology, identity, or the various social constructs we have inherited, depending on where we are in this sequence. Which is why, when it comes to the question of gender, people are constantly talking past each other, and why the conversation often stalls at the level of ideological doctrine and debate, which we see so often in the culture wars. How can we elevate the discussion into a more fruitful dialogue, discourse, and dialectic? By properly differentiating and integrating these factors into a more coherent vision of sex, gender, and identity. In a world where these topics often generate more heat than light, our aim is to bring clarity, insight, and a spirit of inclusive dialogue to the conversation. Our focus, as always, is bringing our most integral hearts and minds to these conflicts, so that we can provide the greatest opportunities for happiness, fulfillment, and freedom of expression for the greatest number of people, while also minimizing harm and promoting understanding, empathy, and respect among all parties involved. Watch the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/sex-identity-gender-beyond-wokism-and-trumpism/

Listen to the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/its-not-easy-being-turquoise-jim-henson-muppets-and-art-integral-puppetry Steve Whitmire spent 14 intense and creative years with the extraordinary Jim Henson before his passing. As of 2008, Steve has been the animating force behind, most notably, Kermit the Frog, for nearly two decades. This was not something Steve planned for in any way. Jim passed away at the age of 53 from an infection that no one could have seen coming—although it later became revealed that Jim had been considering Steve for the puppeteer of Kermit, so that Jim could explore other creative endeavors. However, their connection had started decades earlier. When Steve was a scant 10-years-old, he wrote Jim a letter to express his appreciation for his work, and to ask if he had written anything on the construction of puppets. In fact, Jim had not written anything on the construction of puppets at that time, but responded personally to Steve’s letter, and directed him toward some simple Muppet patterns that had been published a few years ago in a magazine. Thus started the career of a life-long Jim Henson puppeteer, aided by Steve’s mother’s sewing machine. As Ken comments, puppeteering can be, and has been, looked at by the world’s great Mystical Traditions as a metaphor for ultimate Spirit being the transcendental Puppeteer of all worldly phenomena. And there is much truth in that observation. Spirit, if nothing else, inhabits a massive number of multiple perspectives, and in order to perform puppeteering successfully, one literally inhabits, and becomes one with, the puppet’s personality. It is a minor re-enaction of what Spirit does moment-to-moment spontaneously, throughout the entire Kosmos. As with Jim Henson, Steve Whitmire is a very humble soul. If nothing else, Steve is honored to carry on a tradition started by a modern-day master, by whatever name. Jim’s productions have been among the most successful television series in history: Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Fraggle Rock were all international sensations. Sesame Street alone has aired more than 4,100 episodes over a 38-season run, winning 109 Emmy Awards in the process—and it’s still going. To say that Steve is a modern-day backbone of the Muppet tradition is in no way an exaggeration. You may not see his face, but you can see Steve animating Kermit the Frog in a musical duo with Kylie Minogue on YouTube, along with many other notable appearances. Kermit the Frog was, and is, a public, (inter)national expression of the pluralistic, green worldview—but always with a subtle reminder of how multicultural expressions can be reconciled and brought together with an Integral View. It may not be easy being green, but it’s ever harder being teal (where an Integral understanding begins and expands). With the spirit of growth that Jim Henson embodied and intuited, and that Steve Whitmire carries on in an evolutionary context with a clearly Integral perspective, we invite you to celebrate this artistic and creative dimension of puppetry, and the “taking the perspective of other” that it implies, in this one-of-a kind-dialogue…. Listen to the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/its-not-easy-being-turquoise-jim-henson-muppets-and-art-integral-puppetry

Listen to the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-intentional-love-affair/ Our intimate relationships are typically the most important, challenging, transformative, frustrating, and fulfilling parts of our lives. Every relationship is a testament to the “miracle of we” — somehow, out of billions of people on the planet, we find each other, we share all of our hidden parts with each other, and we create entire new realities between us. And these relationships are never static. They are constantly shifting, morphing, and evolving as we both grow together, or as we grow apart from each other. And the more intentionality we can bring to our relationships, the greater the chances that our intimacy can not only survive the inevitable challenges and frictions of our lives, but actually thrive because of them. In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Keith Witt and Corey deVos delve into the intricacies of intimate relationships, exploring the concept of “intentional love affairs” and how they can be cultivated to deepen connection and intimacy. They discuss the importance of fostering better friendships, nurturing love affairs, and developing the ability to solve problems so effortlessly that they may not even appear as conflicts to others. Listen to the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/the-art-and-science-of-the-intentional-love-affair/