10.08.07
a little bit of Ken Wilber
I just watched this video today….and decided to share it on the blog: http://www.holons-news.com/node/58. (You have to scroll way down on the page after clicking on the link- then start the video.) This is Ken Wilber expounding on some of his theories - along with Father Thomas Keating, who is unfortunately shown not saying a word - about spirituality. If you haven’t read his work before it may be a little confusing but please note that when he speaks about “exoteric” religion, he means largely the same thing I am calling “Stage Two” on this blog. He also calls it mythic, dogmatic, and pre-rational and says this type of religion has throughout history been responsible for huge amounts of human suffering.
What he is calling spirituality of the contemplative paths or trans-rational or post-rational, refers loosely to the same thing I am calling Stage Four (implying that what I am calling Stage Three is the “rational” stage.) He is saying this type of religion or spirituality is the best path out of human suffering.
And when Ken refers to the idea of religion as a “conveyor belt” he is talking about spiritual growth through the very stages I am trying to point out in this blog.
I feel compelled to point out that where Ken says “Stage Two” type religion has been responsible for huge amounts of human suffering, this is not to say that it is not all bad! Stage Two religion has of course also been extremely useful and has improved many lives! It is truly a path out of suffering anytime a Stage One converts to Stage Two!
And if a person is stuck in Stage Two and then finally is allowed to move on to Stage Three, that too is a path out of suffering! So as I see it, ANY growth is a path out of suffering. Maybe for Ken Wilber it has been so long since he has been on any lower stage, he can’t see this - or maybe he just didn’t want to bring that concept into the discussion at this point.