Do you ever feel confused about the best way to improve your health?  Do you feel torn between the western medical model and alternative approaches?  Would you like to find a way to embrace the paradox that is human health?

Understanding Integral Theory

I myself have struggled with these concepts for many years – seeing, first hand, the benefits of both traditional and alternative beliefs and treatments.  And then, about six years ago, through a series of synchronistic events, I learned about integral theory. 

Integral theory is a model that can serve as a very useful map when trying to understand complex subjects, like health.

Integral theory recognizes the complexity of life and discourages “either/or” thinking.  When thinking integrally, your perspective shifts to “both/and.”  No idea or perspective is 100% wrong – there is some ‘truth’ in all perspectives. 

In order to truly understand an issue, author Ken Wilber recommends we ‘step out’ of our favorite perspective to more fully sense the truth in other views.  This approach may sound familiar to you, even if you have never read Ken Wilber.  This idea of embracing a paradox is the foundation of many belief systems, including the mind-freeing techniques of Zen Buddhism.

Moving into the Gray

Trying to move out of “either/or” thinking is a real challenge. 

Sometimes when we try to do this, we just switch perspectives.  For example, we may shift from “pro-immunization” to “anti-immunization” for our children.  Or we may go from believing that physical health is determined solely by weight to believing that health has nothing to do with weight. 

When this happens, we continue to think in dualistic terms: i.e. yes/no, either/or, black/white, blue/red (political), etc.  Integral thinking, however, requires us to let go of dualism and move into the gray - to understand the validity of both the pro- and anti-immunization arguments, as it were.

A More Holistic View of Health

It seems to me that integral theory can be applied to health – and to the impact of weight on health. 

Since there has not been much written about the application of integral theory to health, I would like to begin a dialogue with you in the next couple of weeks about what integral health might look like and explore the downsides of holding tight to one particular perspective.

As we begin this journey, I have to warn you: I’m not sure where we will end up.  This is uncharted territory for me, too.  However, I look forward to going there together, knowing that we will learn much in our explorations.
 
I would love to hear from you – how do you feel when you step out of dualistic thinking and embrace the paradoxes of life? What subjects do you come down unequivocally on one side of? Have you considered the thoughts on the other side?

Sara Armstrong is the owner of Zoi Wellness Consulting. In addition to wellness coaching, Sara specializes in health education seminars, diabetes prevention and management, Health for EVERY Body, and worksite wellness design. You can email Sara for a free wellness consultation at sara@zoiconsulting.com.