The Integral Philosophy of Ken Wilber
overcomes problems that arise
when we dismiss inner or outer worlds.
Outwardly there is energy/matter/objects
inwardly there are feelings/desires/visions.
Both are necessary.
Conscience is the most secret core
and sanctuary of humans
where we are alone with God
and God’s voice echoes in our depths.
“The soul and the true self know
my life is not about me
but I am about life.” – Richard Rohr
We need to include not only God’s voice
but also our shadow’s voice. Integrating our shadow
makes us more fully human and alive.
True self-knowledge grounds and liberates us
and gives us confidence to be our self.
The truth sets us free.
The release of repressed creative energy
makes us less fearful and more enthusiastic.
Enthusiasm = “en theos” = in God.
The Second Vatican Council proclaimed
“be true to your self”
when it advocated primacy of conscience.
Fidelity to conscience unites Catholics
with all people of good will
whether other Christians/world religions/
agnostics/humanists/atheists –
all who are engaged in a search for truth
and solutions to Mother Earth’s problems.
Catholicism welcomes and appreciates
great Protestant and Anglican theologians
like John Macquarrie, a marvellous guide
to the deeper mysteries of human life
with creativity rooted in tradition
balanced theology creating dialogue
Christian anthropology affirming self-transcendence.
Macquarrie believed the living teachings of Jesus
must be practiced in community –
to be manifest the Trinity needs the Church
and the People of God need the Church
the mystical Body of Christ
to touch the Trinity and make it present.
But trying to reason your way to God
is ultimately impossible – God transcends reason
just as humans transcend ants.
But rationalists want to eliminate God altogether
in transcendence and tradition.
Since the mythic God died
and spiritual intelligence froze at its lowest level
the Enlightenment began with science
– and ended with “scientism” –
science as the answer to Ultimate Questions
of life/death/meaning – which are beyond
the ken/reach/pay grade of science.
Fortunately, as always, science progressed:
in Newton’s view, all things are machines
governed by deterministic laws.
But in quantum physics there are no
separate building blocks – everything is
an interconnected Sea of Possibilities.
Atoms are interconnected packets of energy
genetics interconnects all creatures
Internet interconnects the whole globe.
The Second Axial Person
is global/pluralistic/interconnected.
Through science we know
Extinction and Transformation
the evolutionary equivalent of
Crucifixion and Resurrection
are central features of
personal/cosmic/planetary evolution.
Scientism is giving way to interplay
of science and religion:
Buddhists preached “interbeing” forever
now quantum scientists and Buddhists
can talk to, and learn from, each other.
Intelligent Christian Spirituality 