John Scoble
This is a brief message to introduce you to the subject matter for the next few episodes of the butterfly series. These will be called “streams of spiritual development”.
There have been significant advances over the past 50 years in science, psychology and mindfulness. Researchers, academics and theologians have explored new ways of seeing the world and the human condition. One group, led by Ken Wilber, has developed integral theory, which suggests in part that humans develop morally and spiritually in four different but related streams; waking up, growing up, cleaning up and showing up
Waking Up refers to any spiritual experience which overcomes our experience of the self as separate from God. Sometimes called mindfulness, it involves developing an awareness of our interrelationship with all of creation.
Growing up refers to the process of psychological and emotional maturity that persons commonly undergo, both personally and culturally.
Cleaning Up refers to practices that examine personal addictions and other unhelpful habits that prevent one from drawing closer to God. It is often referred to as “shadow work”.
Showing Up means bringing our heart and mind into the actual suffering and problems of the world. It means engagement, social presence, and a sincere concern for justice and peace for others beyond ourselves.
In the butterfly series episode 4, we will provide an introduction to this four stream model. Then in episodes 5-8, we will deal with each of these streams in more detail.
We hope that this framework will be useful for you in exploring your own spiritual development and encourage you to ask questions and seek answers through research and prayer.
November 2021
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