Audio by artist terry_patten

Ethics is an essential dimension of Integral practice—and for many good reasons. We act ethically in order to live in a society where everyone is encouraged to obey some important common rules. Ethics is an expression of enlightened self-interest—we act ethically in order to steer clear of negative karmas. A sense of expanded identity can inspire ethical behavior. Ethics is also a container for higher consciousness. Even if you can see through "dream" of samsara, ethics keeps the dream from becoming a nightmare. Finally ethics is how we take adult responsibility for a world that seems run by "adolescents with guns."

Higher consciousness becomes especially real to us when we experience it in relation to another person. Whereas we ordinarily experience each other in terms of our limitations, neuroses, and other "stuff," when we spontaneously witness the mystery of each other's existence, it brings forth a mutual radiance that goes beyond the ordinary.

There are countless ways to serve the emergence of Integral consciousness in the world. While some may work to bring more people into 2nd-tier (teal and turquoise) levels of awareness, others will focus on preserving a "wisdom stream" of 3rd-tier awareness, which can beneficially influence the view of the Integral community at large.

Waking up during our time of evolutionary emergency confers both freedom and responsibility.  Full clip here.

On a recent teleseminar, after I had taught listeners about stages or levels of development, I was asked to explain how we could understand the blue Na'avi people of Pandora, as depicted in the blockbuster movie, Avatar. Jokes might have been in order, but I chose to answer it seriously — and I've been asked to share it by folks who found it clarifying.

In this February 2010 interview with Craig Hamilton I explain how a truly evolutionary relationship to life can transform the very physics of our existence, tapping us into a remarkable higher octave of power, sanity, and purpose. It is possible for human beings to connect with the “omega force” of evolution, and become vessels for the profound transformational force of reality itself.