Move To The Integral Stage Of Spiritual Development.

Strive For Spiritual Maturiity

Along the Heartwood Path, participants are encouraged to move beyond the first three Stages discussed above to the fourth level, the Integral Stage.

Part of the challenge at this stage is to make sure healthy masculine principles of autonomy, strength, and independence do not become, respectively, alienation, a morbid fear of relationships and commitment, and a drive to destroy. Another part of the challenge of adding depth to one’s character is making sure that the feminine aspect of flowing does not turn into panic, making sure relationships do not make one lose one’s individuality, making sure connection does not turn into a meltdown, and making sure compassion does not turn into burn-out. These are some of the challenges that lie ahead for you as you develop into the Integral Stage of Consciousness.

As you will see, the Heartwood Path does not present a random heap of ideas and practices. Instead, there is a pattern that connects both the theory (reading the text) and the practices (doing the activities). That pattern cultivates body, mind, and Spirit, in Self, culture, and Nature.

That cultivation is the simplest way to state what is done along the Heartwood Path. Body, mind and spirit are the layers of depth; and self, culture and nature are the aspects of breadth. By working to add both depth and breadth to one’s character, one grows fully. The growth occurs along a long route that requires a good map (described in the next section) and loving kindness (which will begin to be enhanced in you by the next activity).

To Benevolence…