Evolution Breaking Out All Over the World

Real transformation - that is, the growth of human consciousness - is a messy affair that is filled with wrong turns, starts-and-stops, soaring fulfillment and painful disappointments.  And it is about transcending what we are today while also including that in what we become tomorrow.  This ever-integrating, ever-transcending march of evolution continues, and this month we bear witness to transformation in ways large and small.

For the past 2 weeks we have watched with both shock and awe as Iran, the modern descendant of an amazing and monumental Persian civilization, gets torn asunder by the forces of evolution.  At the same instant that we mourn the victims of brutality of a bygone regime we also recognize that the regime’s static and unyielding metaphysic is an anachronism, out of touch with reality.  The unremitting forces of evolution prevail, culture evolves, people evolve, and the human spirit will seek freedom and expression and dignity regardless of the obstacles placed before it.  This week I spoke with Jeff Salzman and Steve McIntosh about recent events in Iran and we’ve excerpted the first 11 minutes of this dialogue available to you here - Iran: Evolution, Revolution or Regression?

What we conclude in our conversation is that in a massively connected life-system - from economics in London to law in Kelekeok to elections in Tehran - the evolution of the planet starts at home.  It starts with you, and me.  It means we have to work on our own transformation, on our own “resilience,” on our own adaptability to changing life conditions, from global warming to global meltdown, if we stand any chance of being a conscious and proactive contributor to the healthy evolution of society everywhere.

We take this seriously.  At Integral Life we are evolving our media offerings to support this transformation head-on.  With more topical relevance and fresh voices we continue to experiment with the tools and insight to see a bigger whole at work in our lives, while living more freely and fluidly with its many parts.  One recent piece we published on substance addiction with John DuPuy explores A Comprehensive View of Addiction: Finding Wholeness, addressing a problem with an estimated societal cost in excess of $200 billion in the US alone that impacts more than 15% of the adult population. 

And if you missed Your Native Perspective: Understanding Meetings, you missed an entertaining way of understanding how you have a comfort-zone quadrant that is your instinctual first-stop to make sense of everything else around you.  Following on this series, which uses our Integral Coaching methodology, we join Huy Lam and Joanne Hunt as they let us watch them in a candid conversation about Huy’s transformation from “White Crane” to “Braveheart” in Integral Coaching: An Intimate Conversation.  This is real evolution in action, and it’s happening around and within us.

Back at the Integral Life studio Integral Zen teacher Diane Hamilton stopped by to continue a series we’re doing around the upcoming event journey Integral Spiritual Experience.  In ISE Inquiry: No-Self vs. Unique Self  and ISE Inquiry: Unique Shadow, Diane briefly considers Buddhism’s view on our unique life and contribution while also recognizing the unique shadow of an “unlived life.” 

And many more great offerings are in the pipeline...

Indeed, we would love your feedback on whether you're finding something of value amongst this diversity.  It is often said that online media now "wants to be" free.   And much of it probably should be, because it is often fragmented, scattered and flat.  Yet, it is also in fact a deep and troubling reflection of how our society thinks about itself: perspectives aren't worth anything.  To the contrary, Integral Life is cultivating an all levels-all lines ecosystem that is integral, significant, and tailored to real transformation in different lines of intelligence, and in so doing we are making a commitment to perspectives that are worthy of your trust, time and commitment.

In ways large and small, from the efforts of Iranian protesters and our 2020 Climate Leadership Initiative to the community forming around Integral Spiritual Experience, to the tools, perspectives and coaching that can help you live a more Integral Life yourself, please join us as we evolve.  I believe that despite the challenges we face as a species we have the tools, the knowledge and the determination to rise to the unique calling that is being placed on this generation, and I believe that an Integral Life is an important calling of evolution as it continues to break out all over the world.  It is more important than ever for all of us, right now, to not give in to easy cynicism but to lead in whatever way we are uniquely called to do so. 

And when we do, it is recognizable... 

Steady pace. Head up. Arms open. Heart forward.

Warm loving regards,



Robb Smith

P.S. I want to express special personal gratitude to all of the generous and wonderful people who responded to my request last month to join us at Integral life and Integral Institute.  The expression of support from new members and donors was especially gratifying given the ailing economy.  I believe I speak for the hundred thousand people in the global Integral Life community when I thank you for your kindness and trust.  Please contact me directly if I can serve you in any way.