A Journey Through Integral Theory
In the tapestry of human existence, emotions serve as vibrant threads, intertwining the fabric of our relationships, motivations, and personal growth. Through the lens of Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory, we traverse a fascinating expedition along the winding rivers of our emotional development. Like a traveller setting out on an open sea, one’s voyage through the emotional line of development is often tumultuous, reflective, and transformative.
The Primal Waters: Archaic and Magic (Infrared and Magenta)
As our vessel leaves the shore, we find ourselves surrounded by the uncharted waters of the **Archaic** stage. Here, emotions are primitive forces, as wild and untamed as the winds that whip the ocean into a frenzy. They drive the basic instincts for survival.
As we sail further, the waters grow enchanted, reflecting the whimsy and mystery of the **Magic** stage. Emotions weave into the fabric of magical thinking, where the waves whisper secrets, and the stars guide our way. There’s an innocent yet naive attachment to mystical powers as protectors or guides.
The Clash of Titans: Mythic (Red)
Emerging from the mist, we enter a realm of titans and gods. In the **Mythic** stage, emotions wear the armour and crowns of epic heroes and legends. Like Zeus’s thunderbolts, they are mighty, impulsive, and unyielding. The storm of emotions is one with the characters we do in the stories that shape our world.
Anchoring to Society: Conventional (Amber)
We now find safe harbours and established trade routes in the **Conventional** stage. Our emotional ships anchor to societal norms and expectations. Emotions gain currency as they are traded in the markets of social approval, wearing the uniforms of cultural propriety.
Charting New Waters: Rational (Orange)
As skilled navigators, we now chart our course using the compass of reason in the **Rational** stage. Emotions undergo scrutiny under the telescope of critical thinking. The rough seas are calmer as we learn to harness the winds to our advantage.
The Gathering of the Fleet: Pluralistic (Green)
A fleet of ships from various lands joins us as we reach the **Pluralistic** stage. Here, emotions become a universal language. Our vessel turns into a gathering spot for tales of distant lands. Empathy becomes the bridge that connects cultures, and the winds carry a symphony of human expressions.
The Cosmic Ocean: Integral and Super-Integral (Teal to Turquoise and Beyond)
We enter a cosmic ocean as we approach the **Integral** stage. Our ship transforms into a vessel that sails through the constellations. Emotions become multi-dimensional forces that echo through space and time. Here, we understand their cosmic dance and integrate them into a harmonious symphony.
In the **Super-Integral** stage, we are no longer merely sailors but also the ocean itself. Our emotions transcend the human experience, rippling through the fabric of the cosmos. We become the celestial navigators, the guardians of emotional wisdom, as boundless as the universe.
Our journey through the emotional line of development is a reminder that emotions are not just fleeting sensations but a fundamental force in our odyssey through life. They are the waves that propel us, the storms that test us, and the calm waters that reflect our innermost selves.
“For emotions are not just feelings – they are the currents in the ocean of the soul, guiding us through the shores of who we were, who we are, and what we can become.”
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Morgan O. Smith 