Skip to content
quotesby

The integral approach is committed to the full spectrum of consciousness as it manifests in all its extraordinary diversity. This allows the integral approach to recognize and honor the Great Holarchy of Being first elucidated by the perennial philosophy and the great wisdom traditions in general.... The integral vision embodies an attempt to take the best of both worlds, ancient and modern. But that demands a critical stance willing to reject unflinchingly the worst of both as well.

Ken Wilber#17

ConsciousnessWisdomCritical thinkingModernTheory

About this quote

What does it mean?
Integral approach honors all levels of consciousness and blends ancient wisdom with modern insight, rejecting flaws in both.
In plain terms
Respect all forms of consciousness and combine old wisdom with new science while avoiding their mistakes.
What can you take from it?
Embrace diverse perspectives but critique them rigorously.

Where it applies

  • academic research
  • cross-cultural dialogue
  • policy making

Putting it to work

  • study multiple traditions
  • critique assumptions
  • synthesize knowledge

Questions to consider

  • What wisdom traditions do you value?
  • Where do modern views fall short?

Another view

Balancing all perspectives can lead to analysis paralysis.

More from Ken Wilber

  1. We move from part to whole and back again, and in that dance of comprehension, in that amazing circle of understanding, we come alive to meaning, to value, and…

    Permalink to quote #16
  2. An acknowledgment of the full spectrum of consciousness would profoundly alter the course of every one of the modern disciplines it touches - and that, of cour…

    Permalink to quote #18
  3. There is intersubjectivity woven into the very fabric of the Kosmos at all levels.

    Permalink to quote #15

Related quotes

  1. It is clear from Gurdjieff's writings that hypnotism, mesmerism and various arcane methods of expanding consciousness must have played a large part in the stud…

    P. L. TraversP. L. Travers quote #1
  2. Whenever a theory appears to you as the only possible one, take this as a sign that you have neither understood the theory nor the problem which it was intende…

    Karl PopperKarl Popper quote #4
  3. Words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon by them; but they are the money of fools, that value them by the authority of an Aristotle, a Cicero, or a Th…

    Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes quote #7