Integral Facilitation Resources

Hi Madison Integrals:

The next installment of "Journey of Facilitation and Collaboration" training will be offered January 12-16th -- and the class is (once again) full! The next session will be offered June 8-12 and I'd like to strongly encourage your participation. This is a great application of Integral concepts to the challenge of effective group facilitation, taught by Darin Harris, Steve Davis, and myself. Additional information about the course may be found at:
http://www.journeyofcollaboration.com/

In response to a query from one of our participants, Darin has also identified a multilingual facilitation resource. We have two versions, in English and in French; if you are interested, please let Darin or me know and we'll get a copy to you.

-Harry

Integral Politics - Follow-up Discussion

Hey Madison Integrals! Thanks for the great discussion on November 20th regarding Integral Politics. For those who missed the discussion, as well as for those with a greater desire to continue the conversation, here are a few 'notes', as well as the initial links to Don Beck's radio interview and the integral politics video clips that we used to spark our interactions.

Here are the initial resources:


Take a look at this set of 4 videos:
http://integrallife.com/apply/politics-civics/integral-politics-change-you-can-breathe
The interview with Don Beck post election:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sustainableleadership

So, what did people discuss? A few highlights:
*The typology is quite useful for analyzing the messages of each candidate
*Is there a bias in the language of the analysis? Only is one views emergent complexity as a hierarchy, rather than a holarchy
*Obama appears to embody a higher consciousness of the US -- an aspirational identity that reflects who we are as a People and who we may become as a Community
*When you release massive energy, as in this case, there will be a need to channel it spiritually, positively, building upon the Network and Community --> This is a historic moment
*There is an immense sense of Euphoria and Hope... but it has a Shadow side that we must be wary of... it is imperative that we keep Barack and his family safe, and be aware of the Fear that exists side-by-side with the Euphoria
*The econokmic collapse may well be the result of a conspiracy intended to see the demise of the US and the rise of a global dictatorship. It will take profound energy and a capacity for a larger level of thinking to develop creative solutions to this impending Depression.
*How much change can this culture handle? The environment in Chicago was Humble, Subdued, and Realistically Embracing the Challenge...
*Inpisred by the 'Course in Miracles,' the comment: Love is too transcendent a force to be defined or explained - we can understand its building blocks, but not the full conccept. Love is letting go of Fear.
*Be aware that the seeds of Obama's demise are being sewn -- the Euphoria masks the Fatal Flaws in the system: Only people closer to Tier 2 thinking have an awareness of the Spiral - people on the other end think of us as Elites. This can be addressed by compassionate communication (a la Rosenberg) to build bridges across these divides
*Perhaps we don't really know how to Engage in these ways that are truly inclusive, non-judgmental and embracing across levels and in different languages. Therefore, we must find the strengths and contribute the resources that all can off.
*Keep Dignity as the standard to manage the shadow of rank and privilege differences.
*The Shadow can be a gift to understanding the blind aspects of our journeys and reveal a greater truth to one another -- we can only do it in Relationship, Dialogue, and Community... it cannot be done alone.

Welcome to the Madison Integrals Blog!

Welcome! We are a group primarily based in Madison, Wisconsin, that has been studying and working with concepts of integral thinking and spiral dynamics for the past few years. We include staff and faculty from UW-Madison, educators, consultants, realtors, physicians, and others from the community, as well as dozens of members who participate virtually across the physical boundaries of our planet. If you have an interest in integral thinking and a passion for learning about how we might utilize its insights in a variety of practices, then you are welcome to join us here and engage in the conversation!

Harry WB