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Chapter 1 Initial Mapping and the Eternal Mystery of We-Space: Cartography, Capacities, and Consciousness in the Inter-Subjective Field
Most of the readers of this book are likely familiar with the notion of multiple lines of intelligence. The theory, first posited by Howard Gardner in the 1980s, has become a widely accepted idea in developmental psychology and serves as a corner stone for integral theory and practice. The general concept is both simple and intuitive: individuals develop across multiple lines of growth; each line is somewhat independent from others as it develops.
We all likely have known someone in our lives who is extraordinarily brilliant yet lacks a certain capacity for social and interpersonal competency.[1] In the context of multiple lines of intelligence, we might say that the person has a high level of cognitive development but a low level of interpersonal and emotional development. Clearly, cognitive brilliance without interpersonal skills does not lend itself well to skillful group leadership.
The basic notion is simple: all of us have the native capacity to develop sensitivity to collective fields and, with practice, we can all learn to cultivate an increased level of awareness to that which is emerging within groups of people.
When We-Intelligence first emerges it is caught in its own web of narcissism. Often experiences in intersubjective fields trigger a painful sense of self-consciousness or in extreme cases paranoia.
However, at this stage, because the gravitational pull of self-consciousness has not yet been reached, the perspectives of others become highly influential social queues for one’s own behavior. This leads to an orientation that seeks conformity to social norms in the group field. Participation at this stage is simple, reflective, and safe.
As development continues along the spectrum of growth, We-Intelligence begins to show signs of a more comprehensive orientation that transcends and includes the reference points of self, other, and context. This means that the capacity to hold both deeper context and contact that unfolded in the previous stage remain, while the individual also develops a heightened meta-cognition that is able to sense into the collective experience as a whole.[4] This level of holistic sensitivity can see, sense and feel the inter-subjective field almost as if it is a single entity and in a way that is not so caught up in content based on self and other.
Without doubt there are further stages of We-Intelligence emerging (some of which Dustin explicated in his book Streams of Wisdom). For now, this list will suffice for our purposes here.
As is commonly referenced, many people often fear public speaking more than death. There is a cultural conditioned sense that many people have difficulty feeling fully comfortable in expressing themselves without feeling self-conscious, unsure of themselves, etc. Anyone who has been in an introductory or even advanced We-space group has seen and most likely experienced within themselves or others a nervousness or lack of confidence about the value of their contribution when speaking up in the group.
The intention informs the implicit level of commitment to showing up as radically, authentically, and transparently within such a space. If the intention is simply to look for collective creativity, that might stifle the attunement towards aspects of individual and collective shadow that get invited through the intensity of collective presence. If creativity is made the primary area of focus, there is an implied message that what seem like “non-creative” or insecure aspects within individuals need to be liberated or compartmentalized before they can fully participate in a creative emergent space. Another perspective would suggest that whatever intention people have to come together, everything that arrives within the collective, moment to moment is emergent creativity. When we expand the definition of what creativity looks/feels like, it can encompass the feeling of a group flow state, disgruntled participants arguing without attuning to the impact it has on the group, people sobbing or displaying even more intense expressions of affect and behavior. Simply put, whatever is arising in the moment is the creativity of Life and it is our task to surrender to what is arising and open to how and what it is here to teach us.
AI Summary
Cohering the Integral We Space by Olen Gunnlaugson presents key insights from the Integral tradition. The 10 passages above capture the essential teachings.
Core Themes:
- [To be expanded]
Key Passages: Highlights 1, 3, and 10 are particularly representative.
This entry was generated from Readwise highlights. Expand with additional context as appropriate.