First Ever Integral Seminar for Young Adults to explore the possible depth of our human experience
Santa Cruz, CA (April, 2008) An estimated 30 adults aged 20 to 35 years old from around the world will gather together from August 10th to 15th for a seminar entitled 'Integral Life for Generation Next: Exploring and Embodying Integral in the 21st century'. This seminar, hosted by Next Step Integral (www.nextstepintegral.org) at the Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center in Monterey County, California, offers participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in the study, application and embodiment of integral theory in their personal and professional lives.
For information about the seminar, costs and registration, see: www.i-next.org
Throughout the seminar participants will deepen their understanding of integral theory and consciousness, and how this emerging perspective relates to their actual lives, the questions they hold, the things they truly care about. They will explore the connection of body, mind and spirit in themselves and others, and learn to exercise these aspects for the benefit of personal and cultural evolution. As a recent Next Step Integral seminar participant from Australia said,‘[t]his is exactly what I have been waiting for my entire life, it took until I was sixteen years old to discover what it was I needed, and another thirteen years (and a trip halfway around the globe) to find it.’
The Integral approach offers a comprehensive map of human development as well as a set of tools with broad applications to such diverse areas as relationship, education, politics, health and business. With its unification of East and West, pre-modern to post-modern, the integral approach provides a ‘big picture’ view of humanity’s insights throughout history and in turn, a coherent framework for engaging in our own growth and flourishing as complex, multi-dimensional beings. As well, the Integral perspective offers an inclusive and systematic way of understanding and engaging the increasingly complicated challenges we face as a collective on this planet.
The integral approach has been most notably championed by contemporary philosopher Ken Wilber and has its historical roots in the work of figures like Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Abraham Maslow, Jean Gebser and Sri Aurobindo. Present-day theorists whose work is included or referenced include Robert Kegan of Harvard and Dr. Susan Cook-Greuter.
Some of the central explorations of the seminar:
*How can we, as emerging leaders, learn to navigate the ever-increasing and complex challenges we face as a human family?
*How can we come together beyond the confines of our separate self-sense (our ego) and co-create the emergence of true communion and community in our lives? *How can we embody an integral perspective in all aspects of our lives — in our work, play, relationships, education and personal practice?
*How can we bring what we experience and learn together back home to share with our peers and communities?
Scheduled feature speakers include:
Diane Musho Hamilton, a senior Zen student of Genpo Merzel Roshi, who will serve as a facilitator of Big Mind, a process designed by Genpo Roshi to bring the insights of Zen meditation to western audiences.
Also present will be Jamie Wheal, M.A., senior consultant for Stagen Leadership Institute, founder of Misty Mountain Montessori and Director of Programs for Performance Unlimited;
Clint Fuhs, Content and Curriculum Development Coordinator for Integral Institute as well as an integral coach, trainer and external consultant to Avastone Consulting;
Jonathan Reams, Ph. D., Editor-in-Chief of Integral Review and professor in the Department of Education at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology;
Abigail Lynam, M.S., a director of Next Step Integral and faculty for Lesley University’s Audubon Expedition Institute and the Living Routes’ Sustainability in Auroville, India, both of which follow experiential, holistic models of education;
Miriam Mason Martineau, M.A., integral counselor and parenting theorist, and vice-president of Next Step Integral, British Columbia; Thomas Arthur, Feldenkrais teacher and performance artist who mixes contemplative juggling, storytelling and digital media;
Stephan Martineau, founder and president of Next Step Integral and President of the Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative.
The seminar includes experiential and theoretical presentations, small groups discussions and activities, as well as open space periods for participant discussion, networking or simply enjoying the beautiful redwood groves.
For more info or to set up an interview contact: