The Integral Message
Duality and Nondualism
Ken Wilber continues to build upon the subject of relationality to argue that it leads to the important understanding that the very being of God is non-dual. Consequently, we need to seek an understanding of the non-dual nature of life.
Wilber is very strong in highlighting that this notion of nonduality is vital. Applying it to the search for reality he proceeds, “..our only hope of contacting Reality – if indeed there be such - will necessarily lie in the utter abandonment of the dualistic mode of knowing.”[5]
Wilber is very diligent in finding an understanding of contemporary life that can be supported by numerous disciplines. He writes,
It is of the utmost significance that, of the vast number of scientists, philosophers, psychologists, and theologians that have fully and deeply understood these two modes of knowing, (here he refers to symbolic and to direct knowing) their unmistakable and unanimous conclusion is that the non-dual mode alone is capable of giving that “knowledge of reality.” They have reached, in other words, the same conclusion as that of the modern quantum physicists.[6]
Difficulties in an era of change
The great challenge for many, as humanity transitions to the new integral era, is letting go of the mental-rational capacity as the dominant characteristic of the mind for shaping the future. The mental rational has been our primary mode of operation and built the most extraordinary world we live within. However, it is no longer able to safely guide humanity further into the twenty-first century and beyond. The prime reason is that the mental-rational is characterised by its ability to divide and analyse. While we are the beneficiary of this capacity that enabled us to build the world as we know it, it is also the function of the mind that leads to division and destruction, and the world now sits on the edge of the ultimate precipice.
Shaped by the non-dual vision the integral is the only way forward. The mental rational, like all other previous capacities of the mind's consciousness, now must become the servant of the integral. The integral sees the unity of all and provides the necessary vision to enable the future flourishing of a co-operative humanity. Such a world, is universal, wholistic and co-operative. Relational spirituality is an integral attitude that provides a way to pursue this vision of peace and harmony.
[1] Wilber, K. (1993). The Spectrum of Consciousness. Wheaton, Illinois, Quest Books. P 24
[2] Ibid. P 27
[3] Ibid. P 27
[4] Ibid. P 27
[5] Ibid. P 34
[6] Ibid. P 37