What do you guys think of Ken Wilber?

shays860

He's not necessarily Buddhist but of course he integrates Buddhist ideas into his philosophy. I have always respected him and I think I may soon start to really hit his work hard and memorize as much as I can. Hopefully any negative perspectives won't diminish my enthusiasm... That's not to say not to present them if you have them though. I know he's human and fallible if not not downright dishonest at times.

Dakini

I thought he considered himself to be something of an enlightened Zen master. Too much controversy, though, too much ego. Too many masters not practicing what they preach. I've read that his writing can't be relied upon for accuracy, meaning his research isn't sound. idk.

Jeffrey

I like the holon concept, but I am more interested in yogic direct experience. I'm not so interested in science fiction sounding stuff. But the holon thing I could draw some parallels to what my lama is teaching.

xabir

I agree with Jeffrey here. His 'A Brief History of Everything' which I read offered some interesting philosophical and 'integral' perspective of the world, which was intellectually stimulating. However I am not so as interested in the philosophies and concepts as to the yogic direct experience. His book 'The Simple Feeling of Being' and 'One Taste' have more spiritual 'pointing out instructions' which can be quite instructive on certain aspect of spiritual realization.

With regards to his insight/realization or yogic experience, they are of the substantial non-dual type. He was able to (speaking from his own direct experience) distinguish 'I AM' realization from 'non-dual' realization, but the non-dual realization is of the substantialist view similar to Advaita Vedanta. See Stage 4 of http://awakeningtoreality.blogspot.com/2007/03/thusnesss-six-stages-of-experience.html

In short, some of his stuff are interesting and readable, though most of it I find too intellectual/conceptual for my types.

Also, I do not see him a teacher of Buddhism, but integral philosophy, and spiritually his views are more in line with Hinduism/Advaita Vedanta. That being said those spiritual pointers by Ken Wilber were quite relevant and helpful for me at a certain phase of my practice (I'm not saying it will apply to everyone, but to those practicing something similar to my particular path). Not as my insights and view developed, I find the Buddhist teachings more relevant for me now.

Since my concern is more on spiritual development and my experiences and insights tell me that Buddhism has something more profound and subtle to offer, I am currently focusing more on Buddha's teachings.

xabir

*Now, as my insights ....

(typo)

RichardH

The Integral movement has spun off into its own cultish scene with its own lingo. Wilber's model (quadrants, holons, spiral dynamics) is pretty good....especially the qudrants could be really helpful in a lot of ways... but it is a model. He is an egotistical character.. and listening to him lionize Genpo Roshi is squirm inducing.
"Big Mind" is "Zen" lite guff, offering people instant awakening on a pricey weekend seminar.

xabir

Ken Wilber explains that AQAL is a 'map of samsara' and that he is primarily a map maker.

RichardH

Ken Wilber explains that AQAL is a 'map of samsara' and that he is primarily a map maker.

It's the best map I've encountered... Too bad about the Integral scene, and how it is anything but integrated.