What’s your primary quadrant orientation?

Today, I studied “Types” taking a course in Core Integral one.  The assessment of types of quadrant orientation was interesting for me.  I answered eight questions.  The guidelines said that over three answers may be a primary quadrant orientation.  My result of the assessment was the following.  My primary quadrant orientation is UL and LR.

Upper Left Individual Interior	Upper Right Individual Exterior	Lower Left Collective Interior	Lower Right Collective Exterior
3	1	1	3

I’d like to introduce one example.  Please answer the following question.  What’s your primary quadrant orientation?

Scenario

You and a few of your friends decide to take a vacation together sometime in the next few months.  You all go out to dinner to talk about the trip.  After initial meetings, you start discussing plans.  Which of the following four answers/responses is most like what you would say and /or do?

Answer A: I’m really excited to be able to go on this trip with all of you.  I feel that this is a great opportunity to relax and decompress.  I have been really anxious and stressed lately.  I am confident that this trip will help me get back to feeling great.

Answer B: Before we come up with a plan we need to talk about the different variables, like how much money we want to spend, how long we want to go for, when we can all get time off, the list of possible destinations, etc.  We’ll have to get everything on the table so that we can decide on something that fits everyone’s criteria.

Answer C: Let’s decide where and when we want to go.  When I go on vacation, I like to be able to relax and also to stay active.  Maybe we can go to someplace near the ocean, like Mexico or Hawaii.

Answer D: It is so great that we’ll get to experience this together.  I think it will be important for all of us to share what we each want out of this trip, so that we can make it the best experience for everyone.

Your primary quadrant orientation is below.

Answer A	Answer B	Answer C	Answer D
UL	LR	UR	LL

Reference: Core Integral Course 1

Developmental Psychology: how to assess human developmental levels? What is the data?

I’m thinking about my final term paper in the developmental psychology class walking around my house in the morning.  This paper requires me to choose a significant person in my life and apply developmental understanding to his or her experience.  In addition, I have to write about the signs and markers of the stages he or she has been through along with the outer changes that have accompanied the stage transformations.

Umm, I have two challenges.  First, who should I choose in my paper?  Second, how can I analyze and assess his or her developmental levels?  The last one is a little bit difficult.  I’m not sure about the data in analyzing and assessing.  Is that an interview article or a book if I choose a celebrity (e.g. a famous CEO or president) whom I’ve never met before?

Anyway, I have no other choice to rely on “language” which he or she spoke.  I think “language” is the important data to analyze and assess developmental levels.  That is because we express our thoughts, emotions, sensations, and feelings by means of words.

However, we should be careful to analyze and assess his or her language.  In my view, language is not a perfect tool to reveal all thoughts, emotions, sensations, and feelings correctly.  Moreover, language is dependent on contexts…  Therefore, language is sometimes the reliable data but sometimes the unreliable data.

This paper is an interesting and challenging staff for me.

“a guide to integral psychotherapy” by Mark Forman

Happily, I’m learning “Developmental Psychology” from Mark who is the author of “a guide to integral psychotherapy” this summer quarter in JFKU.  In fact, when I lived in Japan, I read his book and I was overwhelmed by his insight and a lot of useful information included his book.  I really respect him same as I admire Ken Wilber.  OK, I’ll stop praising him here, but I really recommend his book for not only therapists but also consultants, coaches, and…all kinds of professional people.

After reading his book, I have a lot of questions for him about this book, so I’d like to ask him little by little this quarter.

He gave me his autograph very kindly.  I really appreciated him and I realized after class that he was a very intellectual and warm hearted person.

The Wisdom of The Enneagram

This is a required book in the Enneagram Assessment class in JFKU.  I read a Japanese translated version when I lived in Japan, but I found many new things reading this book again.  I think this book is very useful to grasp the overview of the Enneagram.  I really recommend this book as an ideal introduction of the Enneagram.  I hope you will utilize the wisdom of the Enneagram in your daily life. 

Are you a mere CEO or integral mind CEO?

The question in the title was what I asked global executives in the class of Harvard Executive program.  I’m really concerned with global top executives who lack of integral mind.   In other words, they seem to have low levels of consciousness…  They (global CEOs and their companies) are likely to be desperate to compete for finite resources in the world.  In terms of management, there are mainly four resources: human resources, material resources, money, and information.  The first two resources have a limit and the last two have no limit.  In my view, CEOs who have low levels of consciousness tend to defeat their competitors in the capital market (the criteria is amount of money, so this competition is endless) scrambling for finite resources.

I suppose they are like child who play in a sandbox.  This is my metaphor… 

One week trip in San Francisco and Boston (My lecture in Harvard Business School)

My friend who is an accountant and a friend from college came to CA from Japan.  I was happy to see him after so long.  We enjoyed cycling in SF city and went to mainly Twin Peaks, Napa and AT&T Parks to watch the game of SF Giants.  After we said goodbye each other, he went to NY and I left SF for Boston.

Although I really enjoyed SF with my friend, the highlight in my trip was to visit Harvard University.  You can’t believe me, but I got a chance to teach “Integral Leadership” for global executives in the class of Executive Education Program in Harvard Business School.  At first, I was a little bit nervous, but I really enjoyed teaching my class in front of the top executives in the world (Of course, fictional lecture).  I’ll definitely be back to Harvard Business School (Doctoral Program: Organizational Behavior) in five or six years.

This trip was memorable event for me.

Video (San Francisco Version)

http://youtu.be/9KUO2R06t4E

Video (Boston Version)

http://youtu.be/G82Q8BV0KKw

Is it OK just to install OS (Integral Theory)? What is your application?

I asked myself “Is it OK just to install OS (Integral Theory)?”  My answer is “No.”  As I said before, Integral Theory is a meta-theory and it works as OS.  Please imagine that your computer include only OS without application software.  Does it work well?  Maybe no or you may feel bored because you have nothing to do using your computer…

So, I’m really careful not to satisfy with installing a new OS (Integral Theory) in me (this is a metaphor).  That is just a starting point.   What is my application?  My application is about the business world, especially business consulting and coaching, in more detail, leadership development, organizational development.

That is why I’m going to work in a business consulting company¹ again for 2-3 years after graduation, and then I’m going to study leadership development and organizational development in Ph.D. program at Harvard Business School or Insead Business School (in France).

I’d like to attain my goal (egocentric) and contribute to people around me (ethnocentric), to people all over the world (worldcentric), and to universe itself (cosmocentric) using new OS and my applications devotedly.

Notes

1 I won’t work in strategy or accounting firms like McKinsey, Boston Consulting, Bain, Deloitte (my previous company), Earnest and Young, and PricewaterhouseCoopers anymore (I will call them “Flatland consulting companies” Of course, their values and impact on our society are so great.  I acknowledge the fact.  However…orange, orange, orange mind²).  I’d like to work in a consulting company which apply integral model to its consulting approach.

2 See Spiral Dynamics

Reference

1 Spiral Dynamics: Mastering Values, Leadership and Change

2 The Integral Vision: A Very Short Introduction to the Revolutionary Integral Approach to Life, 

God, the Universe, and Everything

3 The Integral Operating System :: Ken Wilber

Green Lantern and My Master Thesis

Today, I watched a movie “Green Lantern” in 3D.  Of course, I really enjoyed the movie and I thought this movie was so cool, but further, I was really excited my idea.  That was because I found my topic of master thesis watching this movie (due to the “free zone” in the movie?).

My topic of mater thesis is “Integral Leadership for The Future Universe (Cosmos) Beyond Our world.”  Of course, this is a tentative title, but I will start my final master thesis from now.  Too early?  I don’t think so.   I’m feeling an intellectual excitement right now.  No one can stop me.  I’m enthusiastic, intense, and exuberant!!  Viva, type 7 (Enneagram)!!

Reference

1 Movie Yoga: How Every Film Can Change Your Life

2 The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types

Holistic Student Union New Logo!! Yohei's Idea

Before my trip, I have an important and big job…  That is to submit my idea about new logo to HSU!!  I love JFKU so much, so I’d like to do all I can do for JFKU and create a new history.  I think this is a good opportunity for me to contribute to JFKU.

The HSU needs a logo for its Facebook and Twitter accounts that would also look great on a T-shirt. We need something simple that conveys what we're all about at first glance, like a good logo should! What are we? We are a student organization that represents the voices and interests of the JFKU Holistic Studies programs. Some of the terms we came up with at a recent meeting were: expansive, four elements of land, water, air, and fire, balanced and harmonious, open and inclusive, interconnected, lineage, elders, teachers, seedlings, spiral, movement, peace. Please explore our ideas and/or your own. We are excited to see what you come up with!
The key is that the logo has to be simple and attractive, yet strong and definitive. It should be the type of image that one would actually want to wear on a T-shirt, yet fit nicely in a Facebook or Twitter avatar.We are open to all ideas, and encourage dialogue if you have any questions before you submit.The deadline is the first day of class, Monday, June 27, 2011 at 5 p.m.

Summary of new logo

-Square represents Four Quadrants (Ken Wilber) and it is a symbol of holistic (integral)!

-Red color: Fire

-Green color: Air

-Yellow color: Land and one of JFKU’s school colors

-Blue color: Water and one of JFKU’s school colors

I believe that the logo can evoke imagines of balanced and harmonious, open and inclusive, interconnected, lineage, elders, teachers, seedlings, spiral, movement, peace. 

Why JFKU? : Installing New Operating System (Integral Theory)

Why did I come to study at JFKU?  The reason is so simple.  JFKU is the only university in the world where we can study Integral Theory systematically.  So, JFKU is a mecca in the Integral Study. 

I wanted to install a new operating system (Integral Theory) in my mind, of which I thought as the most comprehensive and versatile theory.  Yes, it works as a meta-framework.  I will learn it through and through for two years.  I’d like to obtain a new operating system to apply it to the real world at will after completion of my master degree.

Recommend Essential Integral and Advanced Integral

I really recommend both of two.  They seems expensive (approximately $450), but their contents are so rich and insightful!  Course 1 is over 20 hours and Course 2 is over 35 hours, so considering contents and length of lessons, they are not so expensive (I think they are right price).

Let’s start installing Integral Operating System in your mind (life).

Course 1

The Integral Approach is said to make sense of everything-and now, with this course, you can make sense of the Integral Approach.  Course 1: Essential Integral is a self-paced e-learning course featuring a custom curriculum, which weaves every foundational concept from Ken’s 30+year writing career into an effective and comprehensive introduction to the power of integral theory, application, and awareness.

-          Eight interactive lessons with over 20 hours of learning covering the essential elements of the Integral Approach: Quadrants, Levels, Lines, States & Types.

Course 2

Advanced Integral extends your foundational understanding of the Integral Approach into the most esoteric and nuanced realms of theory and application.  Utilizing a self-paced, interactive e-learning format and a curriculum created to maximize learning efficacy, this course offers the most accessible and relevant opportunity to experience the unparalleled clarity of Ken’s most recent of profound work.

-          Eight interactive lessons with over 35 hours of learning covering advanced topics such as Integral Methodological Pluralism, zones, methods, and four-quadrant development.

I can hardly wait for Course 3 (Integral Postmetaphysics).  The following USB flash drive is very stylish.

HP: https://www.coreintegral.com/programs/courses

Executive Integral Leadership Course: Notre Dame University

I think Notre Dame University is one of the most prestigious business schools in US and it applies Integral Theory to executive MBA course.  That is interesting… I hope Integral Theory will be accepted in other business schools more.

- Executive Integral Leadership Course: Notre Dame University

I’ll be back to the front line of the “distorted” capitalism

Some people around me in Japan told me “Once you leave the first track in Japan, you can never come back to the elite track.  Do you know that?  Psychology?  Integral Theory?  What’s that?  Are you crazy?”

Yes, I understand the situation and I certainly went off the first track one time.  However, I’ll definitely come back to the front line of the “distorted” capitalism world someday.  My calling is there.  I have a lot of things there which I can contribute.  I believe so.   

The Realization of Integral Leadership For the Future Century

In a word, my interest is how to cultivate leadership ability.  I’d like to apply Integral Theory and psychological knowledge to leadership development in various organizations (not only business companies).  The following picture is about my future research topic, integral leadership.

Memo

1 Four Levels of Leadership

Egocentric Leader:　e.g.  CEOs (leaders) think about only their profit (try to preserve their reputation or their position).  They don’t care about social issues surrounding their companies much less care about global issues.  They can at most imagine their employees’ happiness or their companies’ prosperity.

Ethnocentric Leader:  They come to be able to imagine the social impacts which their companies have. 

Worldcentric Leader:  They can think and act about global issues beyond “us” for “all of us.”  All of us include not only human beings but also other beings.

Cosmocentirc (Universal) Leader:  They can contribute to the sustainability or development of our cosmos (universe).  Third tier mind.

2 Leadership Development and Organizational Development (Memo)

First, leadership is developed in an organization, and then organization can be developed.  It is easy and efficient.  Top-down model.

Reference
1 Integral Spirituality: A Startling New Role for Religion in the Modern and Postmodern World
2 The Integral Operating System :: Ken Wilber

Consciousness, Reality and Observation

1^st: physical reality requires innumerable moment-by-moment “collapses”

2^nd: each of these “collapses” requires an observer

3^rd: each observation requires consciousness

→ Consciousness collapses the quantum wave function

= Consciousness creates reality (de Quincey, 2005, p. 165)

An “observation” without consciousness would not be an observation.  ~ de Quincey

Reference

Radical Knowing: Understanding Consciousness through Relationship (Radical Consciousness Trilogy)

Radical Knowing: Bohmian Dialogue

The author, Christian is one of professors in JFKU and he teaches “Paradigm of Consciousness” class.  To tell you the truth, I bought this book last summer, but I didn’t read it.  I looked over this book and I found the power of dialogue.  Yes, the dialogue is Bohmian (Bohm) dialogue.  I’m belonging to the Bohm Dialogue group, so the chapter 13 “Consciousness and Cosmology” is so interesting for me.

The original meaning of “Leadership”

This morning, I walked around my house and I was thinking about the original meaning of “Leadership.”  I often hear this word all over the place, for example, in the field of business, politics, education…  However, what is the true or original meaning of “Leadership?”  I came up with the question. 

So, I divided the word into two words.  Leadership= leader + ship.  Leadership represents the person itself who provides leadership and the container which embraces concerned parties and leads them to the goal.  Leadership is like a “ship” which drives the crews and navigates the crews’ future.

The Integral Operating System IOS User’s Guide Ken Wilber

I watched this DVD and read the guidebook (70p).  I’d like to show the table of contents of DVD and guidebook.

DVD

1 A Map of Your Own Awareness

2 States at Every Stage

3 Stages of Developmental Lines

4 Just Because You’re Good at Some Things

5 States are Free, Stages are Earned

6 The Play of Masculine and Feminine

7 Every Mind Has a Body

8 Honoring the I, We, and It Dimensions

9 Integral Art and Consciousness

10 Integrating the World’s Transformative Techniques

11 The Essential Modules of Integral Practice

12 Signs of Transformation-More Tears, More Laughter

13 Ken’s Integral Practice

Book

Section1 Introduction to Integral Theory and Practice

1 Overview

2 States of Consciousness

3 Stages of Levels of Development

4 Lines of Development

5 What Type?

6 There’s Even Room for Many Bodies

7 And Now: How Do They All Fit Together?

8 IOS Apps

9 Summary and Conclusion

Section 2 Integral Practice

1 Running IOS in Your Everyday Life

2 The Four Essential Modules

3 Creating an Integral Practice

4 Glossary

The importance of weightlifting

The one of Wilber’s core modules in Integral Life Practice is weightlifting.  Today, I watched his DVD and I understood the importance of weightlifting again.  As Wilber says, the biggest impact of weightlifting on us is developing our cognitive ability.  We need good patience to write and think abstract things.  Also, we require strong body so that we can sit on a chair and think for a long time.  So, weightlifting (resistance training) is useful to not only our body but also our mind.

Please look at the attached picture.  He doesn't look over 60 years.  His body is amazing... He is like Thor.

Death and Rebirth: No Growth Without Death

Suddenly, I came up with the following idea.  My life for a few months was a process of death and rebirth.  My paradigm was replaced by a new paradigm.  I had to change my value system…  It was like my death.  I’m overcoming many hurdles little by little shifting my paradigm.  No growth without death.

Finished my first quarter at JFKU

Today, I finished my first quarter at JFKU.  In retrospect, I realized that I owed to my friends, teachers and my host father a lot.  I have to really appreciate them.

Of course, I was struggling with English every day, but I really enjoyed this quarter.  I’m looking forward to next quarter.  I will take “Enneagram Assessment”, “Developmental Psychology”, “Spirituality, Symbols, and Dreams” and “Shamanism and Dreams.”  I think I didn’t enough time of preparation for each class this quarter, so I’m going to read required text books before starting next quarter.

Integral Coaching: Correlations between the orienting quadrant and Enneagram types

What’s your Enneagram type?  What’s the perspective you use to see the world?  I read an article about Integral Coaching in Journal of Integral Theory and Practice and I found an interesting content about the correlations between the orienting quadrant and Enneagram types.  We usually see the phenomena around us from a specific perspective unconsciously.  I think I tend to take an Upper Right quadrant perspective because I often think about “What will I do next?  What do I want to do?  I have to do that.  I want to do this.  I will make an action plan”, etc.

Anyway, the following is the result of the correlations between the orienting quadrant and Enneagram types.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the process and evidence of this analysis.

Upper Left: Type 4 and 6

Upper Right: Type 3 and 8

Lower Left: Type 2 and 9

Lower Right: Type 1, 5, and 7

Umm, based on the above result, my orienting quadrant should be LR… but I think my orienting quadrant is UR…  Certainly, my type is 7 but as I posted yesterday, my subtype is 3 and 8.

The above correlations may not be perfect but it is useful partially.  I will use this assessment for my future clients in a careful manner.

Appendix: My Enneagram Type

Type1	Type2	Type3	Type4	Type5	Type6	Type7	Type8	Type9
13	19	21	12	12	4	30	21	12

Reference

“Journal of Integral Theory and Practice” Spring 2009 Vol4, 1