The Tao, Integral Theory, and
Consciousness
Joshua Haskell
Definitions
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“Integral theory, a philosophy with origins in the work of Sri Aurobindo and Jean
Gebser, and promoted by Ken Wilber, seeks a synthesis of the best of pre-modern,
modern, and postmodern reality. It is portrayed as a 'theory of everything'[2] and
offers an approach 'to draw together an already existing number of separate
paradigms into an interrelated network of approaches that are mutually enriching'”
(Wikipedia).
“Consciousness is the quality or state of awareness, or, of being aware of an external
object or something within oneself. It has been defined as: sentience, awareness,
subjectivity, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of
selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind” (Wikipedia).
Perspectives of Consciousness
Functionalist
Phenomenologist
+
Reductionist
Mysterian
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Functionalism: Mental states are a result of different brain functions. The problem of
consciousness can be understood through the observance of functions.
Phenomenology: Emphasis on subjective experience, or “qualia,” in understanding
the problem of consciousness.
Reductionism: Emphasis on objective observation and the collection of empirical
data on understanding consciousness.
Mysterianism: The problem of consciousness can never be understood—it is
unknowable.
(Blackmore, 2003)
Dao De Jing: 29
“Do you think you can take over the universe and improve it?
I do not believe it can be done.
The universe is sacred.
You cannot improve it.
If you try to change it, you will ruin it.
If you try to hold it, you will lose it.
So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind;
Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easily;
Sometimes there is strength and sometimes weakness;
Sometimes one is up and sometimes down.
Therefore the sage avoids extremes, excesses, and complaceny.” - (Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, 1972)
Commentary: DDJ #29
Laozi argues that the universe, including consciousness, cannot be
understood accurately by means of trying to observe it in the
materialistic manner. His viewpoint comes from a phenomenologistic
and mysterian perspective. Because he believes that the universe
cannot be changed, he implicitly advocates for humility—he urges
people to stop trying to understand.
The concept of Wu Wei, therefore, also strays from the Western
materialist view of trying to uncover everything through empiricism.
Introduction to Integral Theory:
The Four Quadrants
Ken Wilber founded the idea that everything can be categorized into four basic
quadrants:
1. I – Subjective conscious experience. The quality of noticing your own awareness,
also known as “I-am-ness.”
2. You/We – The connection between two or more separate “I's”; the dynamics of
interpersonal or interanimal relationships.
3. it – The material thing, the physical body without the person.
4. its – Systems. Ecological systems, financial systems, etc. When the whole is
greater than the sum of its parts.
1. I
3. it
2. You/We
4. its
Introduction to Integral Theory:
Natural States of Consciousness
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Waking state (gross body): Being awake in the physical world. Complete sense of
self and being able to interact with objects.
Dreaming state (subtle body): Objects are more transient and less tangible. In lucid
dreaming, one can interact with these objects, but they feel less “in-their-body.”
Formal state (causal body): The state of nothingness—there are no objects; the only
thing that exists is awareness.
Introduction to Integral Theory:
The “I-am-ness” Mysticism
Ken Wilber's concept of “I-am-ness.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA8tDzK_kPI
I-am-ness is the strong feeling of complete affirmation of one's being. It is the
feeling of existing in the present, as well as the feeling of having always existed,
even before one's conception.
The I-am-ness mysticism is said to be most profound in the formal state of
consciousness, where nothing exists except one's awareness. Long-term mediators
are said to be able to experience the feeling in deep meditation and the deepest level
of sleep.
Introduction to Integral Theory:
The “I-am-ness” Mysticism
Ken Wilber's concept of “I-am-ness.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA8tDzK_kPI
I-am-ness is the strong feeling of complete affirmation of one's being. It is the
feeling of existing in the present, as well as the feeling of having always existed,
even before one's conception.
The I-am-ness mysticism is said to be most profound in the formal state of
consciousness, where nothing exists except one's awareness. Long-term mediators
are said to be able to experience the feeling in deep meditation and the deepest level
of sleep.
Dao De Jing: 25
“Something mysteriously formed,
Born before heaven and earth.
In the silence and the void,
Standing alone and unchanging,
Ever present and in motion,
Perhaps it is the mother of ten thousand things.
I do not know its name
Call it Tao.
For lack of a better word, I call it great.
Being great, it flows.
It flows far away.
Having gone far, it returns.
Therefore, 'Tao is great; heaven is great; earth is great; the king is also great.'
These are the four great powers of the universe,
And the king is one of them.
Man follows the earth.
Earth follows heaven.
Heaven follows the Tao.
The Tao follows what is natural.” (Gia-fu Feng and Jane English, 1972)
Commentary: DDJ #25
In this first paragraph of the twenty-fifth verse of the Dao De Jin, Laozi is speaking of
the same phenomenon described by Ken Wilber: “I-am-ness.” Perhaps the Tao is Iam-ness, or vice versa. The important thing is that Laozi speaks of that which
predates heaven and earth and which came from nothingness. The parallels between
these two are too similar.
The part where Laozi refers to a silence and void further connects his philosophy to
the natural state of formal consciousness.
Implications:
- Are the four quadrants part of the Dao, or even the Dao itself?
- Does the Dao equally reference all of the natural states, including dream state?
- Are “I-am-ness” and the Dao in fact the same thing?
Sources
Blackmore, S. (2003). Consciousness: An Introduction. 1 edition. Oxford University
Press. 376-378.
Consciousness. n.d. Wikipedia. Retrieved Dec. 5, 2014.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness
Feng, Gia-fu & English, J. (1972). Tao Te Ching. (Lao Tzi).
Integral theory. n.d. Wikipedia. Retrieved Dec. 5, 2014.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integral_theory
Wilber, K. (2013). Kosmic Consciousness. Sounds True.