Integral Coaching Canada: Started my coaching life

 Intense five days were over. In a word, I learned a lot and had wonderful experiences in this coaching program. To tell you the truth, I felt that my mind overloaded after the third day. Of course, I know Integral Theory already because I study it at JFKU, but I overestimated my understanding. In this program, we studied mainly two of the five concepts in the Integral Theory, quadrants and lines. At first, I thought applying quadrants and lines was easy for me, but actually it was difficult to use them for analyzing clients in an appropriate manner. Also, there was a big gap between studying the concepts and applying them to the real world. I realized how profound quadrants and lines were.

 Integral Coaching Canada’s program was challenging for me. After this module one, I had a lot of wonderful friends (future Integral Coaches). I can’t forget these five days. My journey as an Integral Coach started.

I am the most famous man who…

You are the most famous man who instills integral philosophy into global CEOs all over the world.  Somebody said so to me in my dream.

Value of Sangha: Joined Zen Community at Pleasant Hill

I found a zen community at Pleasant Hill a few months ago, but I didn’t join this community because I had a class.  Happily, I don’t have any classes on Wednesday next quarter, so I thought I would be able to join this community. 

“Now is the time to act.”  This idea showed up in my mind, so I joined this zen community today.  Actually, I have practiced zen meditation for two years, but I have had no teachers and haven’t participated in a community.  I have practiced just by myself.  Some books were my teachers, so to speak.

I suppose if we practice by ourselves for a long time, we may be able to be a zen expert, but it’s significant that we join a community (Sangha).  That is because we can confirm each other’s degree of proficiency and share knowledge and experiences in a Sangha.

This is true in not only a zen community but also in various communities (sports community, learning communities: I think JFKU is the most wonderful “Integral Sangha” in the world).  Without doubt, a “healthy” community accelerates our learning. 

This community matches my feeling, so I’d like to continue participating in this Sangha.  By the way, am I a true Japanese?  I learn the Japanese wisdom and practice"zen" from foreigners.

Problem of “Who am I?”

Nowadays, I often talk to myself “Who am I?”  This simple but existential question shows up in my mind when I’m aware of myself as an experiencer.  This phenomenon usually appears after meditation or after running.  Of course, an answer to this kind of question is endless, so I often give up answering.  I just surrender myself to the moment… After surrendering, a loving smile wells up in me.

Writing Style: To Be A Writer Like Ken Wilber

Since I stared my master program, I have typed Wilber’s book “The Essential Ken Wilber” in order to be a writer like Wilber paying attention to his word choice, grammatical structures, and transition words.  For a non-native speaker like me, the attempt to become a sophisticated English author may be feckless, but I won’t stop it.  When I stop it, I'll be a great writer (I want to believe so).

Suppose if I acquire a sophisticated writing style, what are contents in my paper or book?  Am I possible to write meaningful contents?  That may be problem…

How The Way We Talk Can Change The Way We Work

I read Kegan’s book “In Over Our Head” in the developmental psychology class at JFKU, but the book was a little bit difficult for me (a little? No, quite difficult).  I couldn’t follow the story in the book, but I really admire Kegan’s amazing storytelling ability.  I’d like somebody to translate this English book into plain English…

Anyway, this book “How The Way We Talk Can Change The Way We Work” is more practical.  I’ll incorporate the knowledge and practices into my integral coaching model.

Integral Arts: The Assessment of Human Consciousness Development

I just came up with an idea: “Oh, I loved impressionist masterpieces (e.g. Monet, Renoir) when I was young, but now I love surrealisms (e.g. Dali).  What does this change mean for my psychological growth?”

As Wilber demonstrates in “Integral Psychology,” paintings reflect the level of the artists’ consciousness development.  I think the preference of a viewer also reflects his or her psychological development. 

For example, for me, when I loved impressionist masterpieces, my center of gravity was at the transitional stage between formal thinking and vision logic (Wilber, 2000, p.213).  On the other hand, I love surrealisms now, so this means that my center of gravity may be at the late stage of vision logic…

This is my assumption.

Reference

Integral Psychology: Consciousness, Spirit, Psychology, Therapy