Below are summary abstracts and links to articles on integral theory in practice written or co-written by John Forman. 


Integral Nursing: An Emerging Framework for Engaging the Evolution of the Profession
       by Kathryn Fiandt and John Forman

Abstract

(This article ran in the peer-reviewed journal Nursing Outlook.) These are turbulent times for health care and for nursing. Nursing needs to consciously evolve to survive and thrive in the 21st Century. The authors suggest that nursing has many of the theoretical and conceptual models needed to facilitate this evolution, but would benefit from a comprehensive conceptual model that would integrate all aspects of nursing and effectively interface with the health care system. We believe that Ken Wilber's "Integral All Quadrant/All Level" framework supported by Don Beck's "Spiral Dynamics," is such a model. We describe the model, and explore benefits of its application for nursing and health care.

[Download a PDF of this article -- 117k]

Towards Integral Culture Change Initiatives to Support Knowledge Management
       By the Henley Knowledge Management Forum

Abstract

Integral praxis brings ideas from multiple sources into a consistent framework to provide new ways of looking at and understanding almost any situation, and points to useful integrating approaches to that situation.

A working group of KM Forum members made a pioneering effort to introduce an integral framework and developmental thought to the area of knowledge management, focusing particularly on cultural interventions that support knowledge management.

This paper briefly describes their development of aspects of the following:

• How Integral Theory can be used to analyse and create a single framework for the various approaches to culture and culture change, and in particular as it applies in a knowledge management context.
• How it can be used to gain a much better understanding of the hidden motivators and drivers of the knowledge workers - both individually and collectively - for whom we are designing interventions.
• How that knowledge can be used to design more appropriate and better integrated interventions.
• How that knowledge can be used to better understand why particular interventions are not as successful as we might have hoped, or evolved in ways that surprised us.

Humility: An Ancient Rhythm for the 21st Century 
       By John Forman

Abstract

This article explores an ancient Christian discipline, commonly misunderstood and rarely pursued outside of monastic circles. It refers to key elements of spiritual development and increasing awareness in an effort to ground aspects of Christianity in integral theory ("all-quadrant, all-level, all-lines, all-types, all-states"), while honoring the roots and traditions of Benedictine Christian practices. (A version of this article was published in "Nectar of NonDual Truth," an Adviatic-based publication interested in universal teachings from multiple traditions.) 

[Download a PDFof this article -- 191k]

Returning to the Marketplace with Bliss-bestowing Hands
       By John Forman

Abstract

This article surveys a Christian perspective on a developmental path to unitive states and stages, also known as "transformative union" with God. It relies on the teachings of Christian mystics and contemplatives as well as numerous integrally informed researchers and theorists, though it does not cover all AQAL elements. It also does not venture beyond unity consciousness, which Bernadette Roberts has shown is transcended by a further stage she calls "no-self." (A version of this article was published in "Nectar of NonDual Truth," an Adviatic-based publication interested in universal teachings from multiple traditions.)

[Download a PDFof this article -- 210k]

Abstract

(This paper was presented to the International Society of Systems Sciences) For decades, organizations have turned to the sciences for inspiration and models. In the past ten years, the sciences of complexity have captured the imagination of businesses and other organizations interested in understanding the deep dynamics of organizational reality. There is a great deal of leverage available in the understanding provided by this growing body of theory, research and application. However, as many have discovered, complexity alone does not account for the influence of human consciousness. This article offers one approach to bridging the gaps and differences in an attempt to bring appropriate disciplines into alignment with the dimensions of human experience they were meant to explore. A presentation of this article has been offered to several graduate level business classes and to multiple private organizations.

[Download the PDF for this article -- 314k]