Three Faces of Spirit and Quadrant Orientation

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I've been wondering about the interplay between our orienting quadrant and the Three Faces of Spirit since I was introduced to quadrant orientation during my coaching training. My question is this: does our orienting quadrant lead us to a preference for one of the Three Faces? While there are other aspects at play, I suspect this is one. Recently I led a retreat for Spiritual Directors  interested in Integral Theory which gave me an opportunity to test out my hypothesis with a group of strangers.

After giving them this brief overview of the quadrants, I spent the rest of the day facilitating an experience of the “Three Faces of Spirit.” The Three Faces of Spirit derive from the same three grammatical perspectives as the quadrants. We can relate to Spirit from the first person: My “I” dissolves into the I AM. We can relate to Spirit through the second person: I am in relationship with Spirit. Finally, we can relate to Spirit for the third person: I recognize spirit in all that is.

I led the group through a series of exercises that allowed them to experience Spirit from each of these three perspectives. As they shared their reactions and insights, some of the participants naturally fell into a first person relation to Spirit. Others, while struggling with the first person exercises, found that they could relate to Spirit in second person quite easily. Still others found it easier to enter into the presence of Spirit through third person exercises. As I listened to their explanations, I could here the language of their orienting quadrant loud and clear. And there was indeed a correlation between the participant’s quadrant orientation and their preferred entry point into the presence of Spirit.

This informal study confirmed what I’ve noticed closer to home. I orient from the UL and have always resonated with the “I Am-ness” of the first face of Spirit. My husband, a strong LR guy, has recently recognized his resonance with the “It” of Spirit as he gazes into the night sky. It’s been a relief for him because as a pastor in a mainline Christian denomination that favors the second person relationship to Spirit, he often doubted that he had any relationship with Spirit at all. A dear friend who orients from the LL, resonates very strongly with the I - Thou relationship of second person.

Again, from an integral perspective, we know there are many aspects at play as we contemplate our own resonance with the Three Faces of Spirit. And I find this potential aspect encouraging for it gives one way to understand our preference for spiritual connection. Ken’s reminder that each path takes us from communion to union to identification is well to remember. One path, much like orienting quadrants, is not better than another. And like understanding our orienting quadrant, understanding our path into identification with Spirit helps us communicate better with all those people out there who are not like us!

          If you haven’t explored quadrant orientation or the Three Faces of Spirit, check them out on the I Life site.