Streams of Wisdom : An Advanced Guide to Integral Spiritual Development (9780989228992) by Diperna Dustin; Wilber Ken (FRW)

Author:Diperna, Dustin; Wilber, Ken (FRW) [Friedberg, Artur]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780989228992
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2014-11-15T06:00:00+00:00

An AQAL Approach to Comparative Mysticism

With Brown’s insights in place as an initial framing, we can dive in to see more specifically how an Integral scholar might address issues in comparative mysticism using an AQAL (All Quadrants, All Levels, All Lines, All States, and All Types) approach. As Wilber so often articulates, an AQAL analysis argues first and foremost that “everyone is right.” While maintaining this axiom, an AQAL approach also acknowledges that every view is also partial. (This, of course, holds true for my own Integral analysis.) An integral perspective that is driven by a hermeneutic of generosity, principles of nonexclusion, enfoldment, and enactment, and a careful consideration of what Wilber calls the “calculus of torment” (enacting the solution that causes the least pain), allows us to honor and respect the great thinkers that have come before us. 203 Rather than undervaluing the insights of earlier scholars due to their modern proclivities that now might be seen as partial, and rather than some sort of ego-glorification that is in the end only self-serving, an Integral scholar holds earlier perspectives in a loving embrace and honors them for everything that they bring to the table. The Integral scholar knows full and well that many of these earlier orientations provide critical lower rungs on a ladder that lead to higher levels of understanding.

In this light and in the context of comparative mysticism, Wilber’s Integral framework allows us to include the important elements of constructivist scholars like Katz, but it simultaneously helps us to avoid the forms of postmodern reductionism to which scholars of his ilk far too often fall victim. Using the Integral model, we can allow for the existence of both universal structures (i.e., deep structures) and the fact that each of those deep structures will be brought forth according to the particular differences that arise in the AQAL matrix (i.e., surface difference).

For starters, an Integral analysis notes the fact that the Four Quadrants (introduced in chapter 1) are always at play. With this realization, we understand from the very beginning that of course, there are elements of Katz’s strict constructivist argument that are accurate and true. Experience is mediated in certain ways by the cultural and linguistic matrices of which we are most certainly a part. This is information gained through inclusion of the LL quadrant.

However, an Integral analysis doesn’t stop there. Including, the other three quadrants prevents us from reducing everything to culturally specific and culturally determined causes (Quadrant Absolutism). Accordingly, we acknowledge that social and systemic conditions in the LR quadrant also play a role in influencing the enactment of a given experience. In a similar way, we understand that in the UR quadrant there are certain elements, like the EEG readings of specific brain states or interactions of particular neurotransmitters, that will remain constant and universal across cultures as the exterior correlates to interior experiences. (See the work of Newberg in appendix 1).

Finally, and perhaps most importantly for our work here, including the UL quadrant we

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