Illuminated Book Recommendations

Resources For Integral Approaches

What Is Enlightenment?

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Ken Wilber

From Wikipedia: Kenneth Earl Wilber Jr. (born January 31, 1949, Oklahoma City, USA) is an American Buddhist philosopher and psychological theorist. His work focuses mainly on creating an "integral theory of consciousness" in which the insights of mysticism, postmodernism, science and systems theory come together to form a coherent picture of the cosmos. In Kosmic Consciousness, Wilber states that he considers himself a storyteller and a mapmaker; his stories address universal questions and his maps integrate various perspectives of the cosmos. Although he was at one time a major proponent of the transpersonal school of psychology, he has since disassociated himself from it. In 1998 Wilber founded the Integral Institute, a think-tank for studying issues of science and society in an integral way. He has been a pioneer in the development of Integral psychology and Integral politics. In the 4 January 1997 issue of the German newspaper Die Welt, a reviewer called Wilber "the foremost thinker in the field of the evolution of consciousness." According to Frank Visser, he is "the most translated academic author in the United States."

No Boundary

A new, easy-to-grasp map of human consciousness against which the various therapies from both Western and Eastern sources are introduced. Designed to help individuals understand the practice of each therapy.

When a friend of ours, Kurt Jensen, recommended reading Wilber, we were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of books written by the man. After some false starts, we came upon this one and became convinced that this is probably the best introduction to Wilber's work for the intermediate to advanced philosophy buff or spiritual seeker. His philosophies are definitely not for the casual beginner, and so No Boundary is valuable in that it allows readers to acquaint themselves with the foundations of Wilber's work before diving into the real nitty gritty of his more focused volumes.

The Essential Ken Wilber

Ever since the publication of his first book, The Spectrum of Consciousness, written when he was twenty-three, Ken Wilber has been identified as the most comprehensive philosophical thinker of our times. This introductory sampler, designed to acquaint newcomers with his work, contains brief passages from his most popular books, ranging over a variety of topics, including levels of consciousness, mystical experience, meditation practice, death, the perennial philosophy, and Wilber's integral approach to reality, integrating matter, body, mind, soul, and spirit. Here is Wilber's writing at its most reader-friendly, discussing essential ideas of the world's great psychological, philosophical, and spiritual traditions in language that is lucid, engaging and inspirational.

After reading No Boundary, this book was a very good next-step into the world of Wilber. It is a broad enough overview of Wilberian philosophy that after reading through it, you will be able to decide if you are really interested in continuing to wrap your brain around these concepts or if you'll just give up the ghost. Of course, we whole-heartedly recommend that you give it a shot because we honestly believe that Wilber is one of the most enlightened and brilliant human beings of our time.

Arjuna Ardagh

The Translucent Revolution

At a time when the fate of the world seems increasingly uncertain, The Translucent Revolution provides a compelling and convincing argument that radical positive change is taking place throughout our global society, resulting in increasing numbers of people from diverse and divergent backgrounds who are awakening to a state Ardagh defines as "translucent." In the process, they are becoming part of a potentially critical mass of people capable of triggering a worldaround awakening of deeper purpose, joy, compassion, self-fulfillment, and service to others.

Ardagh studied this "translucent revolution" for more than a decade, after years of spiritual seeking that culminated in his own awakening of his true inner state of being after famed spiritual teacher H.W. L. Poonja asked him, "Who is the one trying to be free? Who are you really?" What he subsequently discovered was that experiencing his inner awakening was far easier than living and maintaining it, but in the years since, he discovered ways of doing so, finding in the process that many others around the globe are now doing so as well.

As part of his research for The Translucent Revolution, Ardagh interviewed others from all walks of life he are awakening to similar experiences, including Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle, Jean Houston, and Neale Donald Walsch. In all, he interviewed over 170 people, compiling 250 tapes and 3,000 pages of transcripts, the essence of which he distilled into this book. After opening with an examination of what "translucence" is and how it can be lived after the radical awakening that leads to it, Ardagh then explores how translucence can positively transform individuals in terms of their self-identity, personal actions, feelings, relationships, sexual partnering, parenting, and art. From there he examines the affects of translucence in collective society in terms of education, business, health care, religion, and global sense of community. Throughout the book, he provides readers with many experiential exercises they can do, both in the form of "Try It Yourself" exhortations and gentler "Nudges" that can be performed individually and with a partner. The end result is a doorway to a transformational journey that literally leaps off the written page. ~Larry Trivieri

We can't say enough about this book. Having lived through the more questionable spiritual activities of the 60's, 70's, and 80's, many of us thought that spiritual awakenings were rather rare. Times have changed though, and we now know that there are a hugely growing number of people who experience that immeasurable, intangible, divine aspect of consciousness. Arjuna Ardagh helps those many who have had even the smallest of awakening experiences understand what has happened to them. He also gives simple exercises, at the end of most chapters, to facilitate the awakening of others. Most importantly, he describes what many people have done after having their awakenings, even suggesting that the old road maps to enlightenment are no longer relevant in our time. We tend to agree. There are not very many resources out there for the newly awakened, which is what makes this book so valuable.

Aldous Huxley

The Perennial Philosophy

The Perennial Philosophy is defined by its author as "The metaphysic that recognizes a divine Reality substantial to the world of things and lives and minds." With great wit and stunning intellect, Aldous Huxley examines the spiritual beliefs of various religious traditions and explains them in terms that are personally meaningful.

One of the classics in integral thought, Huxley's book is a must-read not only for those who seek a common thread in the great spiritual beliefs of the world but those who strive for truth. In The Perennial Philosophy, Eastern and Western thoughts no longer collide but become merely manners in which we satisfy the yearning for higher consciousness or God through human experience. We highly recommend this book for both the beginner or the advanced seeker.

DVD

What The Bleep Do We Know

"WHAT THE #$*! DO WE KNOW?!" is a radical departure from convention. It demands a freedom of view and greatness of thought so far unknown, indeed, not even dreamed of since Copernicus. It's a documentary. It's a story. It's mind-blowing special effects. This film plunges you into a world where quantum uncertainty is demonstrated - where neurological processes, and perceptual shifts are engaged and lived by its protagonist - where everything is alive, and reality is changed by every thought.

After this movie first came out in DVD, it was more widely viewed and therefore, more discussed on message boards all over the internet. We eavesdropped on several of those discussions, and the commentary we heard had such a range. Some loved it, believing it completely; others were appalled by its assumptions. So, a few of us decided to watch it, and not surprisingly, some were moved while others thought the ideas rather hokey. This being the case, we recommend that you give it a shot, and we'll tell you why:

Either it'll change your approach to life or your outlook... or it won't. Considering that the probability of an event being life-changing doesn't often tote 50/50 odds, we figured you just might want to take the leap.