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Ken Wilber's birthday is January 31st...

Posted January 25th, 2010 by Jim Arsenault in Ken Wilber's Birthday

It's Ken Wilber's birthday on January 31st...

I was working out this morning and listening to an audio interview with Ken Wilber when I was reminded that his birthday is on January 31st.  Following Ken Wilber's work has improved my life in profound ways...  Among other accomplishments, I am now an Integral Coach™ Apprentice through Integral Coaching Canada enrolled for the Certification Module (Module II) in May.  I believe that none of this would have been possible without Ken Wilber's influence. 

One of the questions in ICC's Module II application is: "Why do you want to become a Certified Professional Integral Coach™"?

Following is an an excerpt of my response, which also explains the reason for this blog:

"I personally signed up for Module I because of my deep appreciation of Ken Wilber and those - like the staff at ICC - whose work incorporates AQAL.  His works have shaped my life in the most positive of ways.  It’s like looking out into the horizon with a great friend, map in hand, knowing that he helped to get you where you are, confident that the way ahead is “navigatable”, knowing that things would be very different without the guidance this great friend has provided.  And I’ve never even met him in person!  I suspect I’m not the only one who feels this way..."

So, if you will, please share Ken Wilber's influence on you.  How has Integral shaped your life?  In what ways have you embodied the Integral model?  Has your developmental path been marked with sudden or gradual change?  How are you sharing your Integral wisdom of the Integral vision with the world?  Does anything else appear to body/mind/heart/soul/Spirit?

Best regards,

-- Jim Arsenault

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Ken's Influence

Posted January 31st, 2010 by Jon Sanders

Hi Jim

I first enountered Ken's work in the mid-nineties; I wasn't at that stage in my life ready to read his work; however, his name never left me and about ten years later I decided to start studying his work; from being very young I've always been interested in the Origin of Things and the Meaning and Purpose of one's Life.  I've found Ken's work revelatory - it has informed me both personally and professionally. At a personal level it has given me a deeper understanding of my own tradition - I'm a practising Carmelite ( Catholic Contemplative tradition -St Teresa of Avila & St John of the Cross), the developmental stages of faith, states, postmodernism, 3 Faces of God, Shadow....

I no longer question the meaning of life, but  recognise that my own life is a gift, not to me, but to others; at its deepest level I see my life as not consuming God's Love for myself, but manifesting His Love through my actions in the world; and this is how I understand Ken's stage of unfolding: as we gradually empty ourself of self, and surrender to God's Love we gradually reaveal more and more of God's Love through us to the world.

Ken is absolutely right to emphasise Integral as a Practice and not simply some theory; it is very easy to get ensnared in the cognitive line and attempt to appear smart and be at a 'higher stage' than those around you - I remember this period well!

Professionally, as an educationalist,  I'm interested in how I can apply integral ideas and this is an area I will be working on over the coming years.

Ken has also been a gateway to many other wonderful people and writers: Thomas Keating, Rollie Stanich, Cameron Freeman.....................

I'm looking forward to Ken's next book.

Happy Birthday Ken!

John