The Integral Vision: A Very Short Introduction to the Revolutionary Integral Approach to Life, God, the Universe, and Everything

by Ken Wilber

Book Overview

A Publishers Weekly Book of the Year This pop culture presentation of Ken Wilber's Integral Approach--an inclusive, visionary framework for understanding human potential--is as an easy introduction to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590304756
• ISBN13: 9781590304754
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

A wonderful introduction to Integral Thinking

This is perhaps the most visually-appealing introduction to Integral Thinking to-date by American philosopher and spiritual teacher Ken Wilber. His integral vision represents one of the most ambitious paths for 'integral' human development in our time. Written in his inimitable funny, quirky and at times abrasive style, this book is a perfect 'Integral Thinking 101' to be read and shared. Highly recommendable.

Integral Vision

This little book is an excellent introduction to Ken Wilber's "map" and would serve as an excellent outline for an introductory course on his theory. It gives a brief description of the states, stages/levels, types, lines and quadrants as well as the concepts of perspectives and holons and 'holarchies.' It's very easy to read and the format is bright and captivating (almost like a comic book.)

A Superb Overview of a Complex but Crucially Important Vision

I have been studying and enjoying Ken Wilber's writings for almost thirty years, so I am not a total newbie. I have also liked the way in which, over the years, Ken has not been afraid to revise his position as new information and new insights have appeared. He has also reached a place familiar to anyone who is trying to push the envelope in any field: At what point do you simplify to clarify? When do you take the key components of a model or system and break it down into digestible chunks without dumbing it down or selling out? And finally, how do you present it in a way that makes sense to people outside your narrow field? Many philosophers and theorists simply do not bother: they write long treatises that will only be understood by a few of their peers, and as for explaining to the world at large? Forget it! This short and visually stunning book lays out the bare bones of the most recent incarnation of Ken Wilber's model of life, the universe and everything. Here you will learn the basics about "quadrants," "levels," "lines," states" and "types." Not only what they are, but also why an understanding of them can pay enormous dividends in your own life and in providing insights into your personal psychological and spiritual development, as well as that of your children, family and society. Nobody, least of all Ken himself, believes that this is the only model, or that the map is the same as the territory. But the model can be immensely valuable. Time alone will tell how well it can incorporate new data and insights without becoming a meta-theory that sounds good but has no predictive value. For that is where this whole project will live or die: its ability to predict and to be falsifiable. At the moment the indications are that this way of looking at the world is here to stay, and it would be well to know something about it. I had doubts that the project would even be possible, and I am pleased to have been proven wrong. The book works extremely well as an introduction to the Integral model. But it should also be seen as something of a taster. If it whets your appetite, then you will probably want to explore some of the books, CDs and websites that have been created by Ken Wilber and Integral Institute. This book is essential for anyone interested in psychological, social and spiritual growth, and I recommend it very highly. Richard G. Petty, MD, author of Healing, Meaning and Purpose: The Magical Power of the Emerging Laws of Life

What Ted Said

As a longtime "Wilberian," I most heartily agree with Ted's review, below. It's small enough to toss in your backpack, and visual enough to whip out and show to anyone asking, "So, what is this 'Ken Wilber' guy all about, anyway?" Buy a bunch and give 'em out as birthday gifts!

Finally, a great introduction to Wilber's work

Having been an avid reader of Wilber's books for years, I have been deeply moved by his philosophy as it has helped me orientate and weave multiple perspectives in coherent and compelling way. Although this is far from my favorite book of his, I applaud it for what it is meant to be: a primer on integral theory for someone that is new to it and isn't ready to dive in too deeply. This is something I have been looking for a while, as I have often recommended Wilber's work to friends. When asked what was the first book they should read, I would often suggest "Brief History of Everything" (the abridged version to "Sex, Ecology, and Spirituality"). Still, for many of my friends not accustomed to reading philosophy, they felt that "Brief History" was a bit much. "The Integral Vision" hits the right note for just about everyone, as it goes down easier than most of Ken's work, but still gets its point across thoroughly. This is still not light-weight material, however, most readers will find the attractive illustrations helpful and crisp non-academic prose refreshing. "The Integral Vision" also demonstrates that integral theory passes the "mother-in-law test": the idea that if you can't explain it simply and succinctly to her, it's probably too complicated and nonsensical to use. Any decent theory needs to be elegant for intellectuals and simplistic enough for everyone else. "The Integral Vision" successfully lays out quadrants, levels, lines, states, and types in both a manner of elegance and ease. With integral theory, Wilber has brought something of a gift, albeit "true, but partial" (as he would put it), that has built on many philosophical foundations and resealed some cracks in the process. "The Integral Vision" is worth a look for newbies and Wilber fans who are looking for a gift read for friends.