Session 6 The Whole Person & The Life Systems

Interlude: The Questing Self and the Four Horizons Transcendental Horizon Transcendental Humanism Transcendental Technocracy The Questing Self Humanistic Horizon Technological Horizon Naturalistic Horizon Naturalistic Humanism Naturalistic Technocracy

Who Am I? Towards a Polymorphic Identity Why I am an Ancient & Contemporary, Eastern & Western, Classical & Romantic, Existential & Pragmatic, Ironic & Paradoxical, Embodied & Mindful, Soulful & Spirited, Questing & Unfinished, Spiritual-But-Not-Religious, Natural-But-Not- Reductive, Biologically Determined Yet Existentially Free…Child of the Cosmos, Sojourner on Earth, Traveler through Time, Moving through Space, Encompassed by Mystery

Persons as Determined by Physiology: Health, Looks, IQ The Meaning of Persons Physical-Social Determinism and Existential-Spiritual Freedom Persons as Determined by Physiology: Health, Looks, IQ Persons as Determined by Gender & Sexual Orientation Persons as Determined by Ethnicity, Family, Clan & Tribe Persons as Determined by Class, Status, Wealth & Power Persons as Determined by Geography, Culture & Nationality Persons as Determined by Generation: Youth, Adult & Aging Persons as Unique, Imaginative, Creative & Free Individuals

Session 6A Eight Dimensions of the Whole Person Health/Wellness/Vitality Excess/Neglect/Defect 1. INTUITIVE>Spiritual Horizon 2. ETHICAL 3. VOLITIONAL 4. RATIONAL 5. IMAGINATIVE 6. SOCIAL 7. EMOTIONAL 8. PHYSICAL>Natural Horizon

Caring for the Whole Person Which of the eight dimensions of the whole person receive the most and least care and attention in today’s Modern Western society? Why do some people fixate on one or two of these dimensions while either neglecting or rejecting other dimension? Caring for the Whole Person

The Whole Brain & the Integral Self Left Hemisphere Brain Orientation Right Hemisphere Brain Orientation Splitting Logical Either-Or: Differences Win-Lose: Conflict Analytical: Judging Quantity: Objective Impersonal Measurement Competition Detachment Empirical Merging Paradoxical Both-and: Unity Win-Win: Collaboration Synthesis: Perceptive Quality: Subjective Personal Meaning Communion Participation Imaginative

Western Mind & Eastern Mind: Dualist and Non-Dualist Perspectives Left Hemisphere Brain Orientation Right Hemisphere Brain Orientation Western Mind: Activist Dualistic: Either-Or Struggle: Overcome Evil Confrontation: Outward Light Vs. Darkness Ethical Decision Love & Justice History & Eschatology The Narrow Way: Salvation Logos & Agape: Revelation Eastern Mind: Contemplative Non-Dualist: Both-And Ecstasy: Unite Opposites Contemplation: Inward Light & Darkness Psychological Integration Wisdom & Compassion Wonder & Beauty The Middle Way: Enlightenment Sophia & Eros: Illumination

Right and Left Brain Hemispheres How would you describe the left brain as a way of life? How would you describe the right brain as a way of life?

Session 6B The Life Systems in Healthy Balance Superstitious Balance Excess Neglect Defect Spirit Relations Society Nature Culture Self Clinging Narcissistic Work Leisure Driven Indulgent Savage Flitting Effete

Nurturing the Life Systems During Our Changing Life-Stages Q. How does our relationship to the various life systems change during the different seasons or stages of our lives, including childhood, youth, early adulthood, mid-life, and the senior years? Q. Which life systems are of greatest importance to you during this season or stage of you life? Why? How do you nurture them?