Integral Dojo Blog

When we approach practice from an Integral Perspective it is very helpful to understand the influence that “habits” have on the development of consciousness and culture. Often what will prevent an individual’s, or group’s growth is simply being stuck in a bad habit. Perhaps it is a habit that had a function at some point in the past but if something is stuck, then it is no longer functional, and no longer serves growth. At the same time it is our intentional work of laying down good habits  that lead us forward in growth and evolution.

Ultimately this is what it means to be on a “path”, or to walk as a “conscious practitioner”. By taking on a “path” practice we intentionallyy choose to hold a higher discipline in two ways. One way is by overcoming negative tendencies, dysfunctional patterns and “bad” habits that hold back growth. The other way is by developing new capacities, perspectives and abilities that become our new “good” habits as we grow. This applies both in the individual self (our consciousness) and in the collective world (our culture).

I just received this video from EnlightenNext of a dialogue between spiritual teacher Andrew Cohen and Evolutionary Biologist Rupert Sheldrake where they explore the issue of “habits” in consciousness and culture.

Rupert lays it out succently:

“The good news is that we can change. The bad news is that we are all gripped by unconscious habits we’ve inherited from the past.”

And Andrew puts us in the context:

“What does it mean for the human being who’s passionately interested in the evolution of consciousness and culture to deliberately and intentionally chose to create new habits individually and collectively?”

Check out their dialogue about how habits effect our lives. It is very good.