Discussion on Stoicism, Integral Theory, CBT, Buddhism & Focused Integral Flow

Discussion on Stoicism, Integral Theory, CBT, Buddhism and more

To be a philosopher is to solve some of the problems of life–not only theoretically but practically. —

Henry David Thoreau (https://quotecatalog.com/communicator/henry-david-thoreau/)

We study Integral Theory for many reasons but probably mainly to improve who we are individually and collectively. Integral Theory has been a big influence on my life, changed many perspectives, I learned a ton and met many fabulous people – however…

I never really applied Integral Theory to my daily life. Stoicism was introduced to me by way of pod cast and I started reading books by Ryan Holiday, a modern stoic. The books are the ‘The Obstacle is the Way’; The Ego is the Enemy’ and ‘The Daily Stoic’. The ideas in these books are helping me navigate through some difficult personal trials as well as with what’s going on in politics and culture.

Stoicism has been an influence on culture as well as on people (famous and not so famous) from ancient Greece to modern professional football. It included people like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Ralph Waldo Emerson, the coaching staffs of the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, rapper LL Cool J, broadcaster Michele Tafoya, many professional athletes, CEOs, hedge fund managers, artists, executives, and public men and women.

Stoicism and Integral (Theory and Life Practice)

Principals of Stoicism

1. Control what you can

2. Stockdale Paradox

a. Faith in success

b. Accepting challenges

3. Eudemonia

a. Practice Virtue

i. Justice

ii. Arête

iii. Fortitude

iv. Temperance

v. Wisdom

b. Your greater self

4. Deo Volente (God Willing)

a. Focus on process

b. Let go

c. Serenity prayer

5. Warrior of the mind (not a librarian of the mind)

6. Energized Tranquility

a. Know your path

b. Know your fundamentals

7. Art of Acquiescence

a. Thy will be done

b. Loving what is

8. Equanimity Game

a. What knocks you down?

b. How long does it take you to get up again?

c. What helps you find your balance

9. I don’t know and I don't care

a. What's the difference between ignorance and apathy?

b. What do you want to care less about?

c. How do you want to do that?

d. Not caring and not knowing about some things lets you focus more on Arête

10. The ideal sage

Principals of Integral Theory

1. AQAL

2. Lines and Levels

3. States and Stages

4. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th person perspectives

5. Integral Life Practice

In February, 2017 San Diego Integral began the Focused Integral Group Discussion (FIGD) which is a meta-structuring format where we briefly switch into an agreed upon process to optimally utilize the We-Space. The objective of FIGD is to collectively feel deeper into any topic and promote a causal state experience where we briefly switch from a collective I to a collective we. A Focused Integral Group process is "running in the background" until a salient moment rises that we want to explore. This moment is identified by the "moderator" who helps maintain focus. It has two parts beginning with a formal focus followed by a discussion. Each segment lasts for 3-8 minutes and we have committed to a minimal of three FIGD per meeting. We have found that the intensity of these collective focused moments have increased with experience and skill and seem to delightfully persist throughout the discussion. See the February 9th, 2017 meeting for a description of the FIGD and look for updates following each SDI meeting. SDI is committed to the "creative advance into novelty".

If you have a topic suggestion please let us know and we'll bring it to the conversation.

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