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Beyond the realms of right and wrong there is a field. I will meet you there - Rumi

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A Universal Approach and the Making
of Our Common Global Future

 

By Dr. Muzaffar k Awan

 

Western scientific materialism, secularism, relativism and individualism, offered countless benefits, but their limitations have left us barren of feeling and alienated from one another. They left us longing to return to the basic moral intuition of the good, the true and the beautiful in a renewed holistic embrace. They had left us bereft of meaning and passionate purpose in a valueless world. We now need a global and holistic vision that balances the limitations of current worldviews and that helps us find our way through this dangerous transitional period in human history.

The world is engaged in a rapid—indeed, in historical terms, a lightning—process of globalization. Economic, political, and informational developments force all peoples out of their isolation and into relations whose nature they can no longer control. What worked in the West and in the imperial and colonial periods shows itself to be quite unworkable in these global times despite “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men.” Beyond the West, one finds peoples characterized not by individualism and secularism, but by their integration both horizontally in family and community and vertically with heaven, man, and nature.

The review of the present Western culture suggests the need to balance individualism with a sense of unity, and hence secularism with a sense of the divine. It is precisely these characteristics which appear to characterize Eastern civilizations.

Today, the world becomes increasingly interrelated. Civilizations, which previously were separated by vast distances and natural barriers of water or land, now interact intensively to such a degree that our times are characterized precisely as “global.” The challenge then is to evolve a paradigm not for individualism and competition, but for unity among civilizations. Certainly, the accomplishments regarding the human person—its unique dignity in ancient thought and its rights in modern thought—cannot be forgotten or attenuated, but to these needs to be added a recognition of corresponding responsibilities.

Where under the modern rationalist paradigm the world is split between unities that suppressed the person, on the one hand, and a stress on individual rights that undermined social unities, on the other, we now have the challenge and opportunity to unite the resources of East and West in a new and richer paradigm adequate for global times. The challenge then is to develop a new paradigm which will revisit the classical issue of the one and the many now in contemporary terms in which the one is the unity of the global whole and the many are free and responsible human persons, families, societies, cultures, and civilizations.

What is the global whole Perspective?

A global perspective must honor all dimensions of human existence from body to mind to soul to spirit as they unfold in self, culture, social structures and nature thus overcoming partial solutions and putting ourselves in an historical process leading to a wider cosmic evolution, being emphasized by global thinkers. It includes the development of new human capacities beyond the rational mind and systems of systems thinking — including intuition, subtle knowing, non-dual consciousness, and nature attunement available only to the few today, but the hope of the many in future generations. For this the words of Mohammad Iqbal on the distinction between philosophy and religion can be helpful:

The aspiration of religion soars higher than that of philosophy. Philosophy is an intellectual view of things; and as such, does not care to go beyond a concept which can reduce all the rich variety of experience to a system. It sees Reality from a distance as it were. Religion seeks a closer contact with Reality. The one is theory; the other is living experiences, association, intimacy. In order to achieve this intimacy thought must rise higher than it, and find its fulfillment in an attitude of mind which religion describes as prayer -- one of the last words on the lips of the Prophet of Islam. [1]

… and religious life develops the ambition to come into direct contact with the ultimate reality. It is here that religion becomes a matter of personal assimilation of life and power; and the individual achieves a free personality, not by releasing himself from the fetters of the law, but by discovering the ultimate source of the law within the depths of his own consciousness. [2]

For Ken Wilber the whole evolutionary journey is one of unfolding Spirit in Action .Global  Integral philosophy is evolving as the leading edge worldview — a grand synthesis that is all inclusive  to embrace all of life in its many manifestations. In sum, an integrative Worldview includes the benefits and limitations of all worldviews, honors innovative ways of thinking embraces increased sensitivity and brings spirituality back into the world. Islamic universal thought has been discussed over the centuries and its rich theory is now being redefined and expanded by an increasing number of serious integral practitioners and students around the globe. Fethullah Gulen’s  thought and practice is universalizing through his social global movement [3] while Spiral Dynamics Integral (SDi) [4],  also strong on practical applicable ideas, is another integral approach that closely aligns with the seminal work of Ken Wilber. [5]  

                     Spiral Dynamics Integral (SDi) in consciousness and culture

 

                                                   

 

The two major features of Wilber’s Integral approach for our purposes here include: 1) Quadrants and 2) Stages of Development. Analysis is seriously distorted by partial views without consideration of both quadrants and stages. (For a map of quadrants and stages, the heart of integral approaches, please see the insert below.)

Shaping a new global civilization that is sustainable involves attending to the four universal perspectives of any living being: intention, behavior, culture and social systems. These perspectives are interdependent and thus arise simultaneously. Conflict will ensue if we mistake Reality or Spirit for only one of its four expressions or if all quadrants are not evolving simultaneously. Interior development must match exterior behavior and social organization if they are to be sustainable and have integrity. All interior spaces have biological and behavioral parallels and all interior life is embedded in social contexts with historical limitations.

Quadrants and Stages of Development

Some examples of the partialness of single perspectives that lead to distortion illustrate the need for an Integral approach that includes all four faces of Spirit. The most obvious example and the most dangerous is the lack of a global ethic to handle modern technological developments including weapons of mass destruction. An ongoing conflict between East and West has focused on whether the individual or the community should take priority. The Integral approach says that both are intrinsically connected — not either/or but both/and. Scientific rationalism in the "It" dimension has gained ascendancy in the Western World at the expense of inner development and bonding connections. Relativism, popular in academic circles today has emphasized subjective reality at the expense of objective reality. Spirituality has been relegated to the chain of being in interiors rather than in its full potential for service and social action in the world. Systems theory, developed as a holistic organizing theory, excludes interior realities. All of these partial perspectives are being overcome in the Integral Worldview.

At the United Nations emphasis is on demographic factual presentations, which describe reality from an objective perspective at the expense of the subjective impact. Few international leaders are aware of how subjective reality colors objective decisions. Cultures, too, have insides as well as outsides — where felt meanings, shared feelings, and mutual resonances are the basis for solidarity, so coveted by the global community. Integral designs offer comprehensive solutions that bring awareness to and facilitate the conditions for change in cultures, institutions, individual intentions and behavior as an interdependent unit.

The United Nations has acted as a pacer for transformation. It has often institutionalized global standards, treaties and laws with an idealism that lacks the political will to implement them. Objective and rational solutions that do not touch interiors with felt meaning and resonance will lack the will necessary for the kind of changes needed in today's global world.

As I write this article the relevance of the United Nations remains   in question. It has been the organizing principle of the international community since 1945 (LR). The United States has had unilateral actions which were enacted and that changed coalitions and alliances between states (LL) as well as the intentions (UL) and behaviors (UR) of other individual states, leading to a different form of global governance (LR). This has been a timely example of the importance of taking into consideration the interdependence of the four dimensions of reality in an Integral approach.

There are many ways to utilize the quadrants to understand and find solutions for current world affairs. The readers are   encouraged to test the comprehensiveness of their own ideas by using these perspectives from the Integral model.

Spirit Renews Itself Eternally Through an Ordered Evolutionary Path

The Dialogue of Civilizations at the UN did not achieve the momentum needed, in the opinions of many, because the developmental spectrum of deep values and closed mindsets were not understood in the public debate. Deep values lie below the surface and are penetrated only by a series of "Why" questions designed to contact the essential motivation. The Clash of Civilizations, Samuel Huntington, has been based on the horizontal diversity of civilizations such as Islamic, Christian etc., and has not  addressed the critical difference between deep values and mindsets within civilizations, which are at the heart of today's global crisis. Osama Bin Laden frames the crisis as a civilization war between Islam and Christianity.

Integralists interpret the crisis as a clash between radical extremes and moderate worldviews. The underlying motives for dialogue at Beige to Green are based on fear and are often closed to other perspectives. These motives can be simplistically articulated as follows:

Integral levels (Yellow/Turquoise) are free from subsistence needs, they understand and value diverse perspectives, and therefore, can engage in genuine dialogue. The essential evolutionary order of deep value structures through which individuals and cultures unfold reveals why dialogue often ends in frustrating value clashes rather than in empathic resonance.

Survival and safety are fundamental. Human rights (Green) will not be a major concern if survival and safety needs are not satisfied first. Failed and failing states breed extremism and terrorists, while the strong and strategic exploit the weak, personal freedoms are sacrificed for safety and security, the growth into violence and fixed absolutist belief systems close the debate. To meet the 21st century challenge, the First World style of life cannot be sustained without meeting the more fundamental needs of the Third and Fourth Worlds (see Stratified Democracy Table below). Developed countries must facilitate the fulfillment of the basic needs of survival, safety, self-esteem and education to help avoid closed mindsets that lead to the violence now emerging as the central threat to international peace and civilization as we know it.

Stratified Democracy

Integral views (Yellow/Turquoise) transcend and include all the other deep value structures. Holism replaces the partial, dualistic and alienating thinking of right/wrong, good/evil at subsistence levels. It endeavors to satisfy the evolving needs of individuals and groups within the context of the common good. A spectrum of worldviews and global care and concern are now available to build integral sustainable global structures and authentic global solidarity.

The undemocratic structure of the United Nations Security Council has limited its role in global peace and security. In addition states' interactions have been primarily based on strategic interest (Orange). The UN will continue to play an important humanitarian role, especially as it encourages partnerships with NGOs. However, for world transformation, we need self-aware integral leadership committed to the global common good, who are familiar with the steps and stages of natural evolution in its four universal perspectives. They can design global economic and political structures (LR), facilitate inter-group processes for global solidarity (LL); provide space for individuals to grow and flourish (UL) and to practice right action (UR).

The Direction of Evolution: The Hope of the World

There appears to be an intelligent design in the universe evolving within us towards greater complexity, and wider care and concern. As we evolve we experience less fear, less narcissism, less attachment to habitual habits, more inclusiveness, more capacity for love and compassion, transcendence of cultural traditions. We are urged from within to grow from a merged state at birth into individualism and autonomy and then to connect with the whole, now self-actualized to be co-creators in the evolution of Spirit. The collective evolves from family to community, to nation to global to cosmic while the economic base moves from agrarian, to industrial to information and beyond. Currently we are transitioning to a global information culture — experiencing all the pains and struggles inherent in transformative change when a new and holistic worldview is emerging.

For those who have eyes to see beyond the chaos of the global crisis, humanity has progressed both mentally and empathically in its global concern. In most places slavery is no longer accepted, environmental concerns and citizen activism is increasing, women's rights and children's rights have taken a great leap forward. Anti-war protests are becoming   increasingly worldwide in scope for the first time, designed to prevent war rather than to only stop ones already in progress. Intermarriage between different cultures and curiosity to learn and celebrate cultural differences is more common. Many have spent long hours practicing disciplines to overcome learned destructive habits and to manage emotions and conflict. Despite the many twists and turns and breakdowns that precede radical change, a moral trajectory is being forged in alignment with an innate urge of humanity for Inner Unity in Outer diversity.

Integral is a step on the way, but not the ultimate destiny. After Integral (Yellow/Turquoise) we enter the transpersonal realms where intuitive knowing and impressions from higher sources and beings begin to be experienced and lived within, not as a single peak experience but as the center of gravity — transcending and including all other ways of knowing. Blockages to growth are removed freeing us to flow with the needs of the moment as we cycle in and out of all the levels responding appropriately to whatever life offers.

Integral Practices: Dynamic Silence and Self-Awareness

In the past global leadership studied world affairs from a third person perspective with little involvement of their own person or relations with others. Effective Integral leadership will require proficiency in all three areas.

Future leaders are currently training in self-awareness and in evoking inner sources of wisdom, formerly available only to religious communities. Businessmen, lawyers, doctors, and other professional groups are practicing contemplation as a method for deconstructing habitual perspectives and freeing blocks to creativity. The value of ego taming, silence and the value of being present in awareness to both one's interior and exterior life is slowly but surely  becoming  a normal way of knowing and being in the world. Daniel Goldman’s newly acclaimed approach to leadership involves training in self-awareness, self-management (emotional and mental), group awareness (sensitivity to group emotions) and group management (skills to increase morale and positive emotions). Successful businessmen are known for their intellectual acuity, but now emotional acuity is making the difference between average and superior performance.

There are sophisticated training programs available in achieving higher dimensions of creativity and inspiration individually/collectively through the practice of   ego taming and silencing interior mental and emotional chatter. The process educates in self-awareness, letting go of control and listening — complimentary skills to strategic thinking that businessmen have developed to an art. CEOs are now being exposed to Ken Wilber's Integral Worldview through the World Economic Forum in Davos. Business usually leads the pack on group innovations. Social entrepreneurs working for the welfare of humanity and United Nations Departments and Agencies would do well to follow their lead in developing Integral approaches and trainings.

The Spiritual Caucus at the United Nations is serving as a model for the future as it practices the use of silence for global transformation. Conversations following extended periods of silence are more alive with wisdom and inspiration for action than most ordinary discussions at the United Nations. Aligned with our highest will, our motivation increases and the political will we need to move the world is more accessible. We eternally renew our Spirit through discipline and silence. Shared silence enhances that renewal.

As we evolve in the bio-psycho-social and spiritual realms, and we apply, and live an Integral -holistic Worldview — we go on transforming ourselves and our relationships with others — our sensitivity becomes more acute and our compassion becomes much wider — with tamed egoism and in deep silence we are bound to discover some of the best answers we need to transform ourselves and our entire world. 

References:

1. IIA.3-Philosophy in Pakistan, Naeem Ahmadj, ed. ISBN 1-56518-108-5 (paper). 1998. Chapter VII by Javid Iqbal, "Iqbal on the Material and the Spiritual Future of Humanity", follows this theme by pointing out how for Iqbal philosophy done in terms of physical reality missed the human center and unity which could be regained only by a religious philosophy attentive to the human spiritual center.

2. See the edition edited by M. Saeed Sheikh (Lahore, Pakistan: Iqbal Academy and Institute of Islamic Culture, 1989), pp. 4-5

3. The Gulen Movement: A Contextual Analysis of its Supporters and Critics .Author(s):  Loye Ashton. Published in: Proceedings of the conference "Islam in the Age of Global Challenges: Alternative Perspectives of the Gulen Movement," at Georgetown University, 14-15 November 2008

4.  Spiral Dynamics: Mastering Values, Leadership, and Change, Don Beck and Christopher Cowan, 1996, ISBN 1-55786-940-5

5. An Integral Consciousness, Ken Wilber: Journal of Consciousness Studies, 4 (1), February 1997, pp. 71-92

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Dr. Muzaffar Khan Awan is a Pakistani-American physician has lived in the USA for over 30 years. He originally hails from Punjab, Pakistan. He practices medicine in Detroit Metropolitan area of Michigan. He has keen interest in the moderate enlightenment thought in Islam and interfaith dialogue and is an amateur writer and has written many articles in the Pakistani English newspapers and magazines. Dr. Awan firmly believes that slowly but surely civil society movements are underway in the Muslim world that are contributing to the development of positive relationships between Islam and the West. His email is Mkawanmd@aol.com.

 

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