The whole point of a modular approach is that you can select from among dozens of legitimate and time-tested practices in each module. A module is simply any aspect of human experience that can be trained. Pick one practice from each module and exercise them concurrently. We are like a guitar with 4 strings, and when all four strings are played simultaneously it produces a beautiful chord.
Also, consider how to exercise body, mind, soul(emotion), and spirit in self, in society and in nature.
1. Body (Physical/Subtle or Causal Practices):
Sample Practices:
Diet (as in lifestyle, longterm dietary choices, not fad-diets).
Weightlifting
Aerobics
Swimming
Walking/Jogging/Running
Hatha Yoga
T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Qi Gong
50% of transformation actually occur at this simple level!!
2. Mind (Framework, View):
Using your mind at whatever level you're at, to the best of your ability. Each level of consciousness gives you the capacity to learn, but it doesn't guarantee that you will do so. Therefore you most excercise willpower, choice, and responsibility.
Sample Practices:
Reading & Study
Belief System
Integral (AQAL) Framework
Mental Training
Taking Multiple Perspectives
Any Worldview or Meaning System that Works for You
Study Spiral Dynamics so as to understand why each meme/level of consiousness is important and what crucial roles they play. By doing this you will engage 2nd Tier thinking in yourself. Links to the founders of Spiral Dynamic are Spiraldynamics.net (Dr.Don Beck) and Spiraldynamics.org (Claire Graves). Also, or alternatively, study the integral approach (integral philosophy, integral Christianity, integral Buddhism, etc.)
Read and Study Integral Books such as:
The Life We Are Given (inspiring and practical book, the authors offer comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for joining body, mind, heart and soul)
What Really Matters
In Over Our Heads
One Taste: Daily Reflections on Integral Spirituality
A Brief History of Everything
A Theory of Everything
Integral Spirituality
Also, if you're really serious about physical fitness and want a very intense approach, check out Steve Ilg's Wholistic Fitness, and his book Total Body Transformation. He integrates 5 fitness disciplines (Strength Training, Cardio, Yoga, Meditation, and Nutrition) with 4 lifestyle principles (breath/posture, mindfulness, appropriate action, and practice) in a unique, inspring and powerful way.
3. Spirit (Meditation/Prayer):
Pursue spirituality of direct experience, rather than anything that merely fosters beliefs, myths, or clinging to lifeless dogmas. "Spiritual," of course, can mean many things; here it particularly refers to meditative or contemplative states training.
Meditation, Contemplation, Contemplative Prayer.
Empirical research has consistently demonstrated that meditation can induce vertical transformation in adults--a shift upward of 2 to 3 levels of consciousness. Whereas this has NOT being demonstrated by bodywork, psychotherapy, shamanic voyaging, holotropic breathwork.
See, you are seeking a higher, permanent stage of spiritual development, not just a temparary state right? In order for altered states to become permanent traits, development must occur so that spiritual realization becomes permanent and enduring rather than fleeting.
However there is value in temporary meditative/contemplative states because they have proven to help accelerate one's development. But don't "settle" for occasional states. Which means, time and effort and training are required. It's worth it!Sample Practices:
Centering Prayer
Zen
Big Mind Meditation
Kabbalah
Compassionate Exchange
TM
Integral Inquiry
The 1-2-3 of God
4. Shadow (Therapia):
This means getting in touch with the vital-emotional aspects of your being--getting more in touch with spontaneous feelings, vitality, and emotional experiences; developing emotional intelligence and dealing with our "shadow" side and our "blind spots" we'd rather ignore or not delve into. Working with one's shadow, or the repressed unconscious, is an absolutely essential component of any transformative life practice.
Sample Practices:
Gestalt Therapy
Cognitive Therapy
3-2-1 Process (helping convert shadow fm 3rd person symptoms to 2nd person presence to 1st person consciousness)
Dreamwork,
Interpersonal
Psychoanalysis
Art & Music Therapy
Bioenergetics
Reiki
Shiatsu
In Addition to the 4 Core Modules (Body, Mind, Spirit, Shadow), there are also 5 Auxiliary modules to consider: Ethics, Sex, Work, Emotions, and Relationships.
5. Ethics
Sample Practices:
Codes of Conduct
Professional Ethics
Social & Environmental Activism
Self-Discipline
Integral Ethics
Sportsmanship
Vows & Oaths
6. Sex (as a bridge to awakening)
Sample Practices:
Tantra
Integral Sexual Yoga
Kama Sutra
Kundalini Yoga
Sexual Transformative Practice
7. Work in the World
Sample Practices:
Right Livelihood
Professional Training
Money Management
Work as modes of ILP
Karma Yoga
Community Service & Volunteering
Work as Transformation
8. Transmuting Negative Emotions
Sample Practices:
Transforming Emotions
Emotional Intelligence Training
Bhakti Yoga/ Devotional Practices
Emotional Mindfulness Practice
Tonglen (Compassionate Exchange Meditation)
Creative Expression & Art
9. Relationships
Focuses on using one's most significant relationships not only as a means of transformation, but as an expression of integral awareness, with practices spanning parenting, couples, and marriage.
Sample Practices:
Integral Relationships
Integral Parenting
Communication Skills
Couples Therapy
Relational Spiritual Practice
Right Association (Sangha)
Conscious Marriage
No comments:
Post a Comment