The Integral Stage

Rufus Pollock, founder of Open Knowledge, and Sylvie Barbier, a French-Taiwanese performance artist, dive into the concept of a 'Second Renaissance.' They discuss how art can transform communities and the necessity of cultural activism during a meta-crisis. The duo envisions a new artistic manifesto that intertwines art with spirituality for emotional and societal healing. They also explore the evolution of storytelling, emphasizing modern narratives' relevance to contemporary issues like care and environmental consciousness, advocating for collective action and community building.

Marc Gafni, a Rabbi and intellectual exploring the nuances of metacrisis responses, takes listeners on an enlightening journey through the complexities of cosmo-erotic humanism. He delves into the concept of the 'God voice' in biblical stories, especially the Abraham/Isaac tale, offering a fresh perspective on faith and morality. Laughter as a divine connector in spiritual experiences is also explored, alongside the impact of personal trauma on societal interactions. Gafni intertwines these themes with discussions on eros, consent, and the transformative power of cultural traditions.

In this engaging discussion, linguistic philosopher Lisa Maroski dives into the transformative power of language. She explores how our linguistic habits shape consciousness and societal structures. Maroski proposes novel language forms inspired by paradoxical concepts like the Möbius strip to express unity and complexity. The conversation touches on the challenges of oversimplification in communication and the importance of preserving linguistic diversity. Through creative metaphors, she opens up new avenues for understanding non-duality and interconnectedness.

A MONK, A SHAMAN, AND A SCIENTIST WALK INTO A BAR AT THE EDGE OF THE APOCALYPSE...Layman sits down with meditation and planetary dharma teacher, John Churchill, to enjoy a Double Venti Alchemist's Elixir and a rich, wide-ranging conversation exploring the shape of emergent integrative spiritualities at the edge of the Apocalypse.Born in London, Dr. Churchill's interest in psycho-spiritual development, Integral theory, Contemplative studies, Western Esotericism, and Mahayana Buddhism began in his adolescence, eventually leading him to spend several years as a Buddhist monk at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this time, John received the esoteric Planetary Dharma transmissions that would in time unfold as his contribution to a planetary fourth turning teaching. Dr. Churchill spent 15 years training and teaching “Great Seal” meditation in an Indo-Tibetan Mahayana lineage under the mentorship of the late senior Western teacher, translator, respected author, and clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel P. Brown. He is also a founding member of the Integral Institute led by esteemed Transpersonal/Integral philosopher, Ken Wilber.Planetary Dharma websitehttps://www.planetarydharma.com/

My upcoming Parallax course Integral Theory for Idiots starts July 6th. I thought it would be intriguing to compare the audio of a course description that I wrote and the alternative descriptions put together by three different free online AIs -- Claude, Deepseek & Perplexity. The tone they favor and the particular elements they "chose" to emphasize are very interesting...

The Liminal Café is where the locals of the liminal web gather for coffee and conversation. In this new series, Layman chats with the people and patrons who, for some curious reason, find themselves drawn to this sketchy corner of the internet...NAGARJUNA, DELEUZE, AND WHITEHEAD ADVANCED RHIZOMATICALLY INTO A BARFor episode 11, Layman joins Kazi Adi Shakti in the Amaravathi branch of the Liminal Café for a wide-ranging, paradigm- and continent-crossing exploration of the development of a Process Buddhism.Kazi is an artist and theorist whose theoretical work primarily consists in the study and creative synthesis of process thought, Madhyamaka Buddhism, Western Marxism and Eco-feminist ethics. She graduated with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she majored in Interdisciplinary Sculpture with a focus on computer modeling, 3D scanning and digital fabrication and currently works as a scanning specialist and digital artist in the 3D digitization industry.Kazi's blog, Holo-Poiesishttps://holo-poiesis.com/

In this enlightening discussion, Alexander Love, an acupuncturist and life coach, invites listeners to explore integral postmetaphysics. He encourages connecting with inner wisdom to create meaningful change in the world. Topics include the complexities of identity and mutuality, the interplay of cultural paradigms, and a playful critique of cinematic storytelling. They reflect on nostalgic films and how they shape current perceptions, emphasizing the importance of relational dynamics in understanding human experience.

Nava Israel, a researcher and author with a PhD in epidemiology, dives into her 'Cone' model, revealing how well-meaning solutions can transform into oppressive systems. She discusses the dangers of nostalgic idealization used by powerful groups and emphasizes the need for critical thinking in education. The conversation explores breaking free from rigid governance and the societal impacts of manufactured needs, especially post-COVID. Through community support and self-awareness, Israel advocates for personal liberation from prevailing dogmas.

Marc Gafni and Zak Stein, co-authors of "First Principles and First Values," delve into profound themes of alienation and value. They discuss rekindling emotional engagement in education and the healing power of imagination, particularly through storytelling. The conversation highlights the notion of a global intimacy disorder and its impacts on existential risks. They also explore the dynamics of authentic connections amidst a complex world, advocating for genuine interactions that honor human worth and promote deeper understanding in relationships.

For episode 10, Layman sits down again with Ēlen Awalom, this time to talk about unhealthy and healthy gender models, and the roles of attachment, trauma, and development in contemporary gender relations. Ēlen Awalom is an Eritrean-American Somatic Experiencing practitioner, writer, entrepreneur and cultural commentator. She lives and works in DC where she is the founder of The Almaz Institute, an organization that provides trauma-sensitive leadership and communication trainings steeped in the most cutting edge insights from developmental and somatic psychology. In a previous life she was an exhibiting Afrofuturist visual artist, women’s dating coach focused on developing securely attached relationships, political activist and serial tech entrepreneur who successfully raised millions of dollars from Google Ventures. Ēlen's Professional website https://www.elenawalom.com/