Have you ever seen the universe and shed a tear drinking a glass of wine? @Napa

I made the following video choosing the back music by intuition.

Today, I went to Napa in California, which was famous for a lot of wineries.  I had liked to go there for years, so today became a wonderful day for me.  Napa is located where it takes 40 minutes or so from Pleasant Hill I live in, and I enjoyed driving for a while.   

The first place I visited was somewhat luxurious and in fact, wines, small goods, and tasting fee (two glasses of wine $18) was a little expensive, but I enjoyed some wines feeling a fancy atmosphere in this place.

On the other hand, the next place was somehow homelike.  Here, I could drink five glasses of wine just $5!  I drank the first wine, the second wine, the third wine little by little feeling this space and this time…

Suddenly, I came near to cry after taking a small sip from my glass.

The name of this wine was “Muscat.”  This was a wonderful wine with delicate floral aromas concentrated peach flavors.  This wine embraced me very kindly and I thought about various things.

“Where is here?  Where am I now?  Who is the man drinking this wine? Who am I?”  “Why am I studying Integral Theory in America?  Why am I studying Psychology?”  “Why did I leave my stable and promising career in Japan?”

“How wonderful this life is!  Also, how brief this life is.” “People enjoying wines there will die someday.  Also, I will…”

In addition, “Muscat” let me recall a lot of memories and caused me various emotions, feelings, and thoughts (Upper left quadrant).  I didn’t know the reason why I came near to cry, but I liked the color, flavor, and aroma of this wine and I had a little smile alone. (Upper right quadrant: Wine and I)

One sever noticed me (a little bit eccentric Japanese?) and she silently served another glass of “Muscat” smiling warmly at me.  I really appreciated her kindness.   The warm and comfortable space which she and I created inspired me a lot. (Lower left quadrant)

Then, I could see the history of this wine; pre-birth, birth, post-birth.  For example, “Who did sow the seed of this wine? Who did give a deep affection and enough water for this wine? Who did make this wine? How did this wine come here?” (Lower right quadrant)

I saw the universe and shed a tear for a glass of wine.  I said “Thank you!” to the wine, and I toasted with the universe.

If anyone asks me “What is the merit of learning Integral philosophy?”, I may answer like this “Umm… although I understand our world is an illusion and fiction, I can see the universe looking at a tiny thing and I can fully respect the universe.”

Arts and Techniques: Integral Consultant, Integral Coach, and Integral Therapist.

What are required to become a prominent consultant, coach, or therapist?  I think that the balance of arts and techniques is very important.  What are the techniques?  Techniques means various skills and knowledge, e.g., how to find a problem of a client, how to analyze the problem, how to solve the problem, how to facilitate the client, how to negotiate with the client, how to heal the client, the list goes on.  In a word, we can learn them from books, classes in a university, workshops, work experiences, etc.

On the other hand, what are the arts?  It is a little bit difficult to define that but arts mean an entire character or whole personality of a consultant, coach, or therapist.  They are from within inside the person.  It’s like “Conversation makes one what he/she is.”  We can’t learn them from only mind module exercises (See integral life practice).  In addition, I can say consulting, coaching and therapy are the “art” itself.

I was a business consultant in Japan, so to tell you the truth I met various types of consultants.  Of course, my ex-company was excellent and consultants there were prominent but there were some people who emphasized on the aspects of techniques too much like me, haha.

Who trusts the consultant, coach or therapist who only has techniques?  I’d like to enhance myself more totally.  Let’s do integral exercises not only mind but also body, spirit, shadow, ethics, relationships, creativity and soul!   Integral life practice cultivates the aspect of arts a lot. 

I have three faces.  I’m an integral consultant, integral coach, and integral therapist.

Three final papers

Now, I work on three final papers.

Research Writing: The similarities and differences of work style between America and Japan from All Quadrants approach-75% finished (draft 95% finished)

Psychosynthesis: The Strengths and Limitations of Imagination Technique-90% finished

World Religions: Diamond approach-10% finished (but I already drew the big picture of this paper.)

This is a mere report about my recent academic activity.

UEFA Champions League Barcelona VS Manchester United

(I like this beautiful ensemble.)

Amazingly and fortunately, I could watch this fantastic match in America!  I like playing and watching soccer so much, so I have inevitably watched the game of UEFA Champions League every year since I was little.  I think soccer is very minor sports in America and as you know, football, baseball, and basketball are more popular.  However, in fact, the American national soccer team is relatively strong in the world.  I checked FIFA ranking: Men-22^nd, Women-1^st …

Anyway, Barcelona was so strong!  Amazing pass techniques, the ability to control the game…  I supposed that Barcelona had an initiative in the game from first to last.  Barcelona was Barcelona.  Congratulations, Barcelona funs!!

To tell you the truth, I’m not a fun of Barcelona but a fun of Arsenal and Real Madrid, but I enjoyed this game today.  Thanks, Barcelona and Manchester United.

My eye and God’s eye are one and the same?

Regarding to the assignment in World Religion class, I was inspired by the following excerpt from Novak. God’s Eye (p.270)                                                                 

The eye by which I see God is the same as the eye by which God sees me.  My eye and God’s eye are one and the same.

I sometimes lose sight of the truth in my life.  So, I sometimes hesitate to behave following the voice of my truth.   How can I see the truth and behave rightly?  If my eye and God’s eye are one and the same, I’d like to trust my eye.  When I can see someone in trouble, I will trust my pure feelings, emotions, and thoughts, and then I will give him or her a helping hand.  I’d like to act by high ethical standards: “Treat others as they would like to be treated rather than treat others as you would like to be treated” (Wilber, Patten, Leonard, and Morelli, 2008, Integral Life Practice, p. 259).

I’d like to live my life keeping in mind this wonderful integral ethic.

Reference:

1 The World's Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World's Religions

2 Integral Life Practice: A 21st-Century Blueprint for Physical Health, Emotional Balance, Mental Clarity, and Spiritual Awakening

iEmerge-Ideas Worth Integrating: Bay Area Integral event

I participated in an event in BAI today.  It was like true TED talks, so it was exciting for me.  Each speaker’s topic was a nice opportunity to think about what is integral sexual ethics, how to build an integral movement, and integral relationships.

I always feel the wind of integral movement, here, Bay Area.  This is my favorite place in the world… perhaps than Japan.

The Research of Similarities and Differences in Work Style between America and Japan form All Quadrants Perspectives

I finished the introduction, the Lower Left quadrant, and conclusion parts of my paper in Research Writing class.   This is tough stuff but challenging and fun for me.  The following is the introduction part in my draft.

Introduction

The modern world is becoming more and more international, especially in the business world.  Also, the modern business companies tend to accelerate overseas operations in order to expand profits and reduce labor costs.  In such a global business environment, business people are facing with new hurdles about corporate diversities, for example, how to enhance various types of employees’ motivation, how to manage foreign employees, how to get along with foreign managers, and how to build a good relationship with other countries’ companies.  Although globalization of business is an inevitable trend, most business people are not well-prepared to understand and improve intercultural interactions (Brislin, 2008).

This research focuses on the work style similarities and differences between America and Japan, because both countries have been economic superpowers in the world for a long time.   In addition, this research applies the All Quadrants approach in order to clarify the similarities and differences.  As Wilber (2007) insists, All Quadrants approach gives multiple perspectives to the real world.  It demonstrates (a) the Upper Left quadrant (the inside of the individual: employees’ motivation, corporate loyalty, and work values), (b) the Upper Right quadrant (the outside of the individuals: employees’ working hours, labor costs, and communication styles), (c) the Lower Left quadrant (the inside of the collective: corporate culture and gender consideration), and (d) the Lower Right quadrant (the outside of the collective: corporate structure and corporate environment).  Wilber (2006) mentions that we can see everything from four quadrants perspectives not just a single perspective.  Thus, this research will apply the four quadrants to the similarities and differences between America and Japan in order to see this research topic from multiple perspectives.

Whereas a lot of business people know the importance of understanding the similarities and differences in work styles among other countries, they tend not to clearly grasp what are similarities and differences in work styles.  As a result, they sometimes behave inappropriately towards other countries people and they often face with the difficulty of communication.  This research will indicate the similarities and differences in work style between America and Japan from All Quadrants perspectives in order to educate and encourage cultural understanding for a more effective work environment.

Reference:

1 Integral Spirituality: A Startling New Role for Religion in the Modern and Postmodern World

2 Working with Cultural Differences: Dealing Effectively with Diversity in the Workplace (International Contributions in Psychology)

Annoyance for teal men…

I’m not overestimating myself but students who belong to holistic program at JFKU have more than a “teal” consciousness level.  That is because the program is really holistic and the essential part of the program is strongly affected by Integral Theory.   Unless students are belonging to more than teal stage, whoever is interested in such a program?

Anyhow, I found an interesting sentence in the book of “Integral Relationships: A Manual for Men.”  The author states Unfortunately, teal can become quickly frustrated and isolated, as it no longer resonates with the singular worldviews of people in first-tier consciousness~.  Teal men have a hard time finding an equal partner (Ucik, 2010, p.157).

That may be true… from my experiences.  So, if I am a teal man (this is a little bit arrogant presumption?), how many women, who can be my good partner, are in the world?  There are 6 billion people in the world.  In the world population, Beck and Cowan (1996) insist that there are only 1% teal (Beck and Cowan use “Yellow”) people in the world.  So, 60 million people are teal.  And then, I considered age, nationality, place and so on…  In conclusion, the probability to meet my ideal partner in the world is unbelievable low!!!

Moreover, if I were a turquoise man, it was more difficult to find my best partner in this world…  I don’t want to calculate it!!  

* It goes without saying that this is a so stupid story and calculation.

Reference:

1 Integral Relationships: A Manual for Men

2 Spiral Dynamics: Mastering Values, Leadership and Change

3 Integral Psychology: Consciousness, Spirit, Psychology, Therapy

4 Integral Spirituality: A Startling New Role for Religion in the Modern and Postmodern World

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

I went to see this movie today.  Before I watched this, I was really looking forward to this. That was because I was a fun of Pirates of the Caribbean series.  However, I was a little disappointed at this episode.  In the first half of the story was boring for me…

This series definitely need Orland Bloom!!  Episode 1: 5 stars, episode 2: 4 stars, episode 3: I’ve never seen it, episode 4: 2 stars. 

From movie yoga’s perspective:  “Safe zone” of this movie was so long, so I felt a little bored.  The last scene was no impact for me.  Therefore, I think that I couldn’t feel the joy of “Free Zone.”

Reference: Movie Yoga: How Every Film Can Change Your Life

My English ability from 4 quadrants perspectives

Today (5/21), two months have passed since I came to America from Japan.  I feel that the stream of time is fast and time waits for no one…  I don’t know whether I have a lot of time left or not in my American life.  In fact, two twenty fourth of my life at JFKU has finished.  Anyway, I’d like to analyze my English ability from 4 quadrants perspectives.  The following analysis is very simple and rough.

UL: My English is improving little by little literally.  I’d like to believe so.  Hahaha.  No, I don’t have any time to laugh.  I’d like to continue taking a practice. 

My great leap about English is that my mental barrier against speaking English is disappearing gradually.  I suppose that this point is seen in a lot of Japanese, so this is perhaps related to Japanese cultural aspects (LL).

UR: Objective numerical value about my English ability is the following graph.  I said “Objective numerical value”, but this numerical number is based on my intuition…

LL: I think that “we space” helps me a lot about learning English.  English is one of languages and this is a communication tool.  Therefore, the most important way to learn English may be using it through communication with others in the real world.  Fortunately, there are many opportunities to use English around me now.  For example, JFKU class, study groups, home stay family…  I really appreciate my “we space.”

LR: Regarding to environments or systems to learn English, I use a blog system and TV programs.

Integral Relationships

I’m going to join a Bay Area Integral event next Thursday.  One of the lecturers that day is the author of “Integral Relationship.”  So, I decided to read it before joining. 

I have not finished reading all yet, but this book is amazing.  The author applies Integral Theory (All Quadrants, All Levels, All Lines, All States and All Types) to human relationship (especially, for men how to build a good relationship with women) very well.

The contents of bibliography and notes are also rich.  I had smiles reading some parts in this book because they rang a bell about my relationship with women…

Discover Your Ancestral Heritage by Creating Your Family Tree

Today, I joined a workshop at JFKU.  The purpose of today’s workshop was exploring our ancestors.  Actually, I’ve never thought of my ancestors, so I supposed that this workshop was a good opportunity to explore my relationship with my ancestors.  That was why I participated in this workshop.

Through making a family tree, ancestral meditation and dialogue, I became more and more interested in my ancestors.  My ancestors effect on who I am now.  So, I’ll continue exploring my ancestral ties.

Have you ever had a strong curiosity how your family heritage influences who you are?  Are you ready for an amazing adventure of discovering your family history?  This is a basic workshop of developing your family tree while exploring new horizons with hidden stories and dreams buried deep within the secrets of the family treasures.  Ancestors are calling us to consciously nurture and deepen relationships with them, and repair the energy broken through time.  Possibly you will learn how your ancestors influence who you are today.  A family tree is a start to preserve memories and stories for your children, grandchildren, and future generations.

The Research of Work Style Similarities and Differences between America and Japan form All Quadrants Perspectives (Draft)

Now, I work on my final paper in Research Writing class.  My research title is “The Research of Work Style Similarities and Differences between America and Japan form All Quadrants Perspectives.”  The overview of my research is following.

My research question is “What are the differences of work ethic between America and Japan?”  It is often said that there are a lot of business cultural differences between America and Japan.  In the modern business world, many companies expand their business internationally and a large number of multicultural companies are coming into existence.  My research topic is problematic because if international business persons don’t fully understand the business cultural differences among other countries, they will not be able to survive in the fiercely competitive global business world.  In order to work in that business situation, I suppose that it is very important for business persons to understand the business cultural differences among other countries.

Before coming to America, I worked in a global accounting firm as an international tax consultant for two years in Japan.  My company is famous for a strong global network and, in fact, the local office in Japan, which I belonged to, employed various foreign workers. For example, the top of my team was an Australian, my manager was Chinese, and my colleagues were an American and Asian Indian.  Therefore, I often felt the cultural differences in the business world while I was working in my company.  The different types of work ethic I found were, for instance, time management, attitudes toward their managers or colleagues, the idea about promotion, and corporate loyalty, etc.  Some of my colleagues struggled with the different business culture between Japan and their countries, and they sometimes complained to me and they felt stressful about Japanese business culture.  Based on my work experience, I became interested in this topic and I’d like to research the differences of work ethic between America and Japan.

The larger significance of my topic is to lead to understanding the different work ethic among different countries.  As pointed out earlier, our modern business world is becoming more and more international.  For that reason, my research topic will help an international business person to understand corporate diversity, to work in a different country’s company without complaints, and manage different foreign subordinates or get along with foreign bosses well.

My oath

Today, I went to San Francisco for my friends’ farewell party.  However, I didn’t know that a club (a dance club) in America required customers to show their ID card…  I didn’t have it, so I couldn’t enter there. 

I wanted to say “Please give back my time!!” (It took one and half hour from my house), but interestingly, my emotion was very calm.  On the contrary, I was happy because I learned the system of an American club (lower right quadrant) this time. 

While going back to Pleasant Hill station, I made one contract with me.  I swore one oath to myself in a train…  What’s that?  It’s my secret… 

Recommendation of keeping a dream diary

Every morning just after I wake up, I keep a dream diary.  My friend (he is a facilitator in the dream group at JFKU) recommended me to keep a dream diary to remember my dream and also to understand my dream patterns or symbols.

At first, when I joined this group, I was really surprised that every my friend shared their dream in detail.  On the other hand, I couldn’t share my dream so much because I didn’t remember my dream at all.

Happily, I become to remember my dream more than before due to a dream diary practice. Keeping a dream diary every day enhances my ability to recall my dream.  This exercise is so helpful for me.  Dream work is one of my important shadow works.

A covenant society rather than a legal society

I suppose that I have various covenants with others in my life, but the most important covenant now is the one with my host father.  He and I live together in Pleasant Hill and I owe a lot to him.  He takes care of me, so I really appreciate him every day. 

Before starting this home stay program, I contracted with him.  This contract had a literally legal binding force, for example, the cost per month, the minimum term of this program, and various hosing rules.

However, other than the above contracts written in a paper, I made an important covenant with him implicitly.  I promised myself “I will behave in a respectful manner with him.”  Based on this covenant, I have lived with him in a polite way and respected him from my heart.  Surprisingly, he also gradually came to behave in a respectful manner with me.  Due to my implicit covenant, he and I could build a good relationship each other.  If I had made an only legal contract with him, such a great relationship between us would never have occurred.  

Likewise in regard to our society, I suppose that not only legal contracts but also implicit covenants within us are important.  I think that a covenant came from our inner voice has stronger power than various laws established by someone.  That is because our covenants from inner voice are spontaneous not compulsory.  Our covenants are comprised of compassions and devotions to others.  If a lot of people make a covenant with others having empathetic hearts, the world will become better, I believe.

Our society is a covenant society rather than a legal society.

Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming

Do you know “Lucid Dreaming?”  In a word, a lucid dream is a dream in which one is aware that one is dreaming.  In a lucid dream, we understand we are in a dream world.  Moreover, we can perceive feeling or emotions vividly and can create our dream freely.

This book includes a lot of techniques and exercise for dreaming a lucid dream.  This is so useful that we can use lucid dreaming to improve the quality of not only our dreaming life but also our waking life.  Why does it enhance our waking life?  The answer is in this book!

Integral Psychology Program at JFKU

Happily, it seems that my blog contributes to someone in the world.  After I started this blog, I received some e-mails or messages through Face Book.  Every e-mail and message is about Integral Psychology program at JFKU.   So, I’d like to write about Integral Psychology program, especially what kind of classes are in this program.  If you have any questions or want to know more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Pre-requisites

-          Research Writing

-          World Religion

This is my first quarter, so I take these classes now.  I learn how to write a research paper and what APA style is from “Research Writing” class and learn the wisdom of world religions form “World Religion” class.  Both of them are fantastic for me!

Core

-          Integral Psychology Orientation-IPP

-          Fundamental Psychology-IPP (or Personality & Psychotherapy)

-          Living Systems: Integral Applications-IPP

-          Developmental Psychology-IPP

-          Social Psychology & Social Transformation-IPP

-          Integral Theory A-IPP

-          Integral Theory B-IPP

-          Transpersonal Psychology-IPP

-          Cognitive Science-IPP (or Sleep, Dreams, States of CNS-CNS)

-          Somatic Psychology: Integrating Body & Soul-IPP

-          Integral Life Practice-IPP

-          Integral Spirituality-IPP

-          Cons. & Sustainability-CNS or Ecological Medicine-ITH

-          Social Systems-ITH

-          Enneagram Assesment-IPP

-          Integral Research A-IPP

-          Integral Research B-IPP

-          Effective Communication A: Emotional Dynamics-IPP

-          Effective Communication B: Intersubjectivity-IPP

-          Professional Inquiry-IPP

-          Professional Application-IPP

-          Thesis or Integrative Project-IPP

Electives Sacred Psychology and Professional Development

-          Diamond Heart Approach-IPP

-          Shamanism & Dreams-CNS

-          Integral Metatheory-ITH

-          Personal/Professional Coaching: Integral Coaching-CNS

-          Stones, Shamans, Goddess dreams-CNS

-          Shamanic Traditions-CNS

-          Neurophilosophy/Consciousness-CNS

-          Being Change/Designing Change/Leading Change (certificate)-IPP

-          Sufism: Path of the Heart-IPP

-          Teaching Practicum A-CNS

-          Teaching Practicum B-CNS

-          Publishing & Media-CNS

-          Advanced Writing/Publishing-CNS

-          Creativity/Transformation-IPP

-          Writing Your Story-CNS

-          Archetypal Mythology-CNS

-          Christian Mysticism-IPP

-          Psychosynthesis-IPP

-          Ancestral Consc. and Healing-CNS

-          Tai Chi Chuan & Taoism-IPP

-          Spirituality/Symbols/Dreams-IPP

-          Curriculum Development-CNS

The above classes include IPP: Integral Psychology Program, CNS: Consciousness Studies program, and ITH: Integral Theory program.  IPP students can take other programs’ classes electively and flexibly according their interests.