What is Integral Spirituality?

Integral spirituality is like a big, all-encompassing map that helps us understand and appreciate spirituality in a holistic way. Picture a giant spider web where each individual is like a unique thread. This web includes everything – people, animals, plants, rocks, trees, and even the air we breathe. Now, when one part of the web moves, shakes, or changes, it affects the entire web.

In the same way, integral spirituality suggests that our personal growth and spiritual development are not isolated events. They're like movements in this giant web of existence. What affects you as an individual also ripples through the entire web, influencing others and contributing to the overall well-being of the interconnected whole.

Integral spirituality says, "Let's not just focus on one piece; let's look at how they all fit and work together." Instead of focusing on just one aspect of spirituality, like meditation or prayer, integral spirituality looks at the big picture. It considers how our personal experiences, our behaviors, our shared values, and even the structures of society all play a role in our personal spiritual journeys. It's about understanding that our spiritual growth is connected to our emotional, intellectual, and social development.

Integral Spirituality also acknowledges that people are at different stages of their spiritual journey, and that's okay. Each person is playing a role in the cosmic drama we call “existence.” Just as people have different learning styles or ways of expressing themselves, integral spirituality understands that people experience the divine in different practices. A person may encounter the divine in nature while another might search for God in sacred scriptures. Some commune with God in a spiritual community while others look deep inside of themselves to encounter the divine spark. Each approach is unique and individual. Whether you're more of a thinker, a feeler, or an adventurer, your uniqueness is part of the beauty of the spiritual journey.

So, integral spirituality is a bit like saying, "Your journey is not just about you; we’re all in this interconnected dance of existence, and each step we take influences the rhythm of the whole.”

In simpler terms, integral spirituality is about looking at the full spectrum of human experience and understanding that there isn't just one right way to be spiritual. It's an inclusive approach that appreciates diversity and seeks to unite different aspects of our lives on the journey toward a richer, more complete spiritual understanding.

Our approach recognizes six life practices that are commonly used to cultivate the inner spirit: Selfless Service, Devotion, Sacred Wisdom, Meditation, Physical Discipline, and Transformative Rituals.