Integral International Development Conference
Istanbul, Turkey, June 22nd ~ 26th, 2008
A few weeks ago I attended a conference on Integral International Development in Istanbul, Turkey, that was initiated by Integral Without Borders, which is a “Learning Center of Integral institute”. The purpose of this conference was to bring together people who are working in, or around the field of international development. This years theme was the “Integral Practitioner”, which focused on a balanced approach of working internally on growth and change within ourselves, and externally with growth and change in the world.
There were about 47 of us who attended from all over the world, including South, Central, and North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia/ New Zealand. For me it was the first time I had gathered in a large group of Integral Practitioners. Meeting in a context where the “dominant mode of discourse” was stable at Integral was both refreshing and inspiring.
Those of us in Integral often say “it is lonely out here” because finding others with whom to share in this field isn’t always easy. But going to this conference was like finding an instant Sangha. It really was like coming home for me.
Day One - Theory day
On the first day the conference began I took an early morning flight from Tel Aviv and caught a cab to the venue just in time for the introductions to start. Gail Hochachka, one of the principle organizers, began with doing the introductions in a “holon” format. We all created a large circle and introduced ourselves by stepping into the center of the circle in categories of regions, followed by field of activities, students, types of n.g.o.s, and so on. It was a great way to meet each other by seeing that our holon was indeed composed of lesser and greater holons. Turtles all the way up, turtles all the way down.
Next we began with an introduction to theory from Emine Kiray who bravely dove into an explanation of Integral Methodological Pluralism (IMP), with its 4 quadrants and 8 zones. Emine did a great job of laying out this complex part Ken Wilber’s latest book Integral Spirituality which can be quite challenging. According to Emine, she asked Ken what to present at this conference and with out hesitation he told her IMP. Indeed it was a great start because throughout the next 5 days of the conference we were able to see these methods applied in a practical and integral way. It’s even great to finally “get it” (except for zones 5 and 7, of course. The “dash board of a frog”?…..well…).
After a world café and lunch Rollie Stanich of the Integral Spiritual Center gave a presentation on “Dual Centers of Gravity”. The dual centers of course refer to the Wilber/ Colmbs lattice and ones leading edge in both states development and altitudes development. Rollie laid out the basic lattice of horizontal and vertical development and then added a new part to the theory that has yet to be published by Ken. This is the pathologies that can occur at any developmental point on the lattice, be it a “fulcrum” (structure-stage), or a “switch point” (state-stage).
This new piece of the puzzle on the integral map is helpful for clearing up some of the confusion I have encountered in my own development and adds more granularity to the way development can get stuck. There is lots to say about it but I’ll save that for another blog. But I will say that the understanding of the dual centers of gravity and their pathologies makes clear that “transcend and include” is the basic rule for healthy development.
Day 2 – Big Mind with Diane Musho Hamilton
This was our full on practice day and we honored it by doing about 5 hours of Big Mind with Diane Musho Hamilton. I had done the Big Mind process with Genpo Roshi before but this was the first time I’d experienced it with Diane. They have very different teaching styles and it was refreshing to practice with Diane. The first half of the day before lunch we went through the standard dualistic voices of controller, protector, skeptic, the damaged self and inocent child.
Then after lunch we proceeded into the non-dual voices of Big Mind/ Big Heart, masculine/ feminine compassion and so on. Then Diane offered a new twist that I have never experienced before. Taking the developmental stages of ego-centric, ethno-centric, world-centric and kosmo-centric we then proceeded through each stage from the voice of the protector, the voice of suffering, and the voice of compassion. Each at ego-centric, ethno-centric, world-centric and kosmo-centric. Going through these stages gave a beautiful perspective of how consciousness evolves, and as it does so the interpretation of experience changes.
We finished the evening by having dinner no a rooftop restaurant that gave us a breath taking 360 degree view of Istanbul including the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, and the Bospherous channel that separates Istanbul, with Europe on the west side and Asia on the east side. After dinner I spent another few hours with Diane and her husband Michael Zimmerman talking about the Dharma. It was a great day.
Day 3 – Presentations and discussions
This was basically a day of presentations that included “Integral Spirituality and Social Change” by Vernice Solimar, “Integral Perspectives on Resilience” by Carissa Wieler, “Towards an integral Theory of Human Needs” by Lisa Chacon and Julian Gonzalez, “Integral Politics: The recent Political Crisis in Turkey”, as well as others. The day was split up with world café discussions as well as practice session of mindfulness and the “3 faces of God” lead by Rollie Stanich.
After our final joint dinner we all returned to the conference room that night for a dance party of fun and letting go. It was a beautiful group of people and it was great meeting them all.
Day 4 – Presentations and Discussions
On this day we had more presentations of how the Integral theory was being applied in various projects around the world, mindfulness reflections and world cafes. That night after dinner Diane Hamilton was back with us to lead us through a practice of the “Life Boat exercise”. The “Life Boat” scenario is basically that a ship has gone down in the middle of the ocean and there is only one life boat with supplies to sustain only half of the people in the boat. The other half of the people have to go. Traditionally this exercise is very competitive and about choosing who should stay based on a persons value to the group and society. High value people stay, low value people go. But Diane had a very different way of doing it that removed the competition and put the responsibility with in each individual. In Diane’s life boat there were only 3 ground rules:
- Life and Death are one and the same.
- Be true to yourself in the present moment.
- Whatever you decide you will be loved.
From the moment we began this “game” it became very serious where each individual took full responsibility for the group dilemma. It was poignantly beautiful to see everyone go through this process and how we all dealt with this issue of life and death. The 3 ground rules effectively took all to a deeply authentic level of being and relating that is not always experienced. The care and concern shared between us all regardless of whether one chose to stay or go was a very beautiful thing to be part of. Thank you Diane for leading us through this process.
Day 5 – Presentations, Discussions and Dance Party
This was the final day and the conference and it included presentations, world cafes and mindfulness sessions. The conference was closed with a discussion on “The Integral Practitioner”, meeting feedback, and personal reflections. We also discussed the next steps for the Integral Without Borders conference and some suggestions were doing more of these on a regional level, bi-annually, choosing different venues around the world, or returning to Istanbul again next year. Whatever evolves next, it was clear that this 5-day meeting was a total success and the party that night was fantastic.
So, what did I come back with? Well, a few things:
- How to create a context w/ “rigid rules with flexible strategies”.
- Loving the truth and having the courage to be authentic.
- Learning to receive another…it’s much easier than we sometimes think.
- Understanding that zone 5 actually is “a view from nowhere”.
- That needs have satisfiers and not all satisfiers satisfy all needs.
- That without the spring the river dries up, and without the river the spring becomes stagnant and doesn’t flow.
- Living with change means creating the change we want to live with.
- Never to go into an area unless invited.
- “Unconditional Positive Regard”.
- The shadow is always there, regardless of convenience.
- During the call to prayer take a few moments to be silent.
- iMI is the “integral monster in me”.
- Big Mind over a 2 hour breakfast is a great way to start the day.
- A simple touch can be a powerful thing.
- Rollie slams like a brother.
- Beware of the “Istanbul shoe shine scam”. If they can get the former chief justice of the Utah state supreme court, then they can get you too!
And finally, I learned that a a little prayer can go a long way. Thanks Diane.
Native Prayer of Approach
I honor your gods
I drink at your well
I bring an undefended heart to our meeting
I have no cherished outcomes
I will not negotiate by with holding
I am not subject to disappointment
Much thanks and admiration goes out to Gail Hochachka, Emine Kiray, and Paul van Schaik for pulling this whole thing off. It was great.
Before returning to Israel I gave a weapons workshop at the Zendokan aikido dojo of Mustafa Agun on the Asian side of Istanbul. It was nice to fit in a visit with them on this trip.
That night I flew back to Israel with Diane for the first Big Mind/ Integral Practice workshops ever to be taught there. It was great and a very wild time. But that’s another story. I’ll be posting a blog about it soon.
Ok, this is ping pong…but we did do aikido afterwards.
