Since moving to Kentucky a few years ago (my wife’s in graduate school here) my main source of intellectual stimulation has been the Integral Naked Forum, a group of people united by their interest in the work of philosopher Ken Wilber. My ten bucks per month gave me access to weekly audio and video dialogue and whatnot, but I stuck around for the privilege of interacting with some highly intelligent, sensitive people with wide ranging interests and a deep commitment to truth.
I cancelled my subscription recently for two main reasons: First of all, I got bored with the audio and video stuff, which started to sound more and more like commercials for an ever-expanding line of “integral” products. When I realized how many blogs and free forums there are out there, I could no longer justify the monthly ten-spot. Secondly, I became increasingly alarmed by what I perceive as a “cult vibe,” which seems to be getting stronger and more insidious as Wilber prepares to catapult himself and his Integral Institute into the public sphere like never before with the launching of the Integral Multiplex.
So, now I’m trying to make new connections in the blogosphere and in public forums, so that I can stay plugged into some sources of interactive intellectual stimulation. Thus far, it’s been fairly fruitful. I’m now participating on the Ken Wilber Forum on the Integral World site, and I’ve become acquainted and reacquainted with a few friends from various blogs. An anonymous commenter on one of those blogs had this to say about cultic dynamics, and it pretty much sums up my concerns about recent developments in Wilberland:
“Being an old time poster on the original Wilber forum, what strikes me is how the online discussions back then, mirror those taking place now. For those who don’t know, the original forum also served as a place for Adi Da devotees and ex-members to hash and re-hash, back-and-forth, about whether Adi-Da was a divine avatar or simply an abusive psychopath. There was no end to it, and the current devotees defended their god-man through anything and everything, including very real sexual abuse. How, one must wonder, could folks defend such stuff? To understand this, you have to look at the mix of eastern religion and western megalomania that manifested in cultic ways during the seventies. It’s really very simple how these cultic groups defended the indefensible, and this very much holds true the Da-is-divine crowd on the old Wilber forum. They play three very simple cards, which can not, NO MATTER WHAT, be trumped. What’s remarkable is that Wilber and his groupies now play those same exact three cards, which are:
(1) The Higher Level Card (i.e. Sorry, it’s just over your head). Sorry, but you’re just not smart enough to realize I am smarter than you, because you’re on a lower (less divine) level.
(2) The Projection Card (i.e., I know you are, but what am I). By criticizing me, you are really just criticizing yourself, because any problem you see in me is just a projection of a problem in yourself.
(3) The Skillful Means Card (i.e., it’s all your own fault, dickhead). The most potent card of all! It’s not abuse; it’s not pathetic or ridiculous or wrong; it’s a crazy-wise teaching. You know, like Zen stuff. So when I call you a dickhead, it’s not because I’m a dickhead, it’s because you have a dickhead-complex that you need to evolve past, and I’m here to help you see that.
Note that these cards are not designed in any way, shape or form to prompt a discussion or dialogue. What can one possibly say to any of these cards? Nothing, and that is exactly the point. They are designed to end all discussion, and they are used only when folks know the actual substance of their beliefs has run, or is running, dry. Wilber’s latest attack of Visser, and the defense provided by his young (and getting younger by the day) followers, consists nearly in whole of these three cards.”
Anyone interested in all this nonsense can follow the links. Aside from this mental masturbation, I hope to get back into regular writing, recording, and podcasting as time allows in the coming days.
Peace out.
