Spectrum of Development

Let us now return to "musical" which as we have of seen is one of the seven multiple intelligences referred to by Gardner. I am somewhat puzzled by the nature of this inclusion. Clearly music is very important in many people's lives (both in terms of performance and appreciation). But it refers to just one of many possible artistic talents. For example one could have a special gift e.g. as a painter, an actor, for fashion or interior design, for writing (e.g. plays, novels or poetry). And this by no means exhausts the possible list of artistic fields. So clearly though music does indeed represent one highly important artistic domain, there are of course many others, where individuals can demonstrate a special ability. Though one could perhaps, at a stretch provide a full spectrum model, especially in terms of different levels of appreciation of - say - a Wagner symphony, this perhaps remains a bit exaggerated. Certainly the appreciation of music entails the affect...

I mentioned in yesterday's entry that the "multiple intelligences", as outlined by Gardner do not necessarily develop through the entire spectrum. Most do, but not necessarily all! One especially interesting case here relates to logico-mathematical ability. As conventionally understood, this attains full development through specialised rational structures that are associated with Band 2 (in my model of the spectrum). And this equates directly with linear (i.e.1-dimensional) interpretation. What this simply entails is that the fundamental polar opposites, which dynamically condition all phenomenal reality, are separated in an absolute manner. Chiefly this entails the absolute separation of external and internal and whole and part polarities  with quantitative and qualitative poles, which in dynamic experiential terms are necessarily complementary with one another. Thus with linear rational understanding, interpretation - in every context - takes place with respect ...

So far, I have been content to deal with the primary modes i.e. cognitive, affective and volitional, which I believe are central with respect to the balanced integration of the psyche. Though personalities can indeed differ to a substantial degree, in the end, successful integration requires corresponding integration with respect to the three primary modes. However the manner in which these modes are expressed remain unique for each personality. However much attention has been placed in recent years on what Howard Gardner refers to as "multiple intelligences". Now Gardner identifies 7 key variants here in a manner that I would find somewhat arbitrary. These comprise linguistic (words and language), logical-mathematical (logic and numbers), musical (music, sound, rhythm), bodily-kinisthetic (body movement control), spatial-visual (images and space), interpersonal (other people's feelings) and intrapersonal (self awareness). One could question whether these are indeed...

As I have stated, successful human development requires the corresponding successful differentiation and integration with respect to the three primary modes i.e. cognitive, affective and volitional respectively. Sometimes I am tempted also to include a 4th primary mode with respect to instinctive psycho-physical ability. For example this is vital in terms of co-ordination of physical movement, which is especially important in sport and athletics. From another perspective, it is extremely important with respect to physical health. Most illnesses, to a greater or lesser extent entail a complex interaction of both physical and psychological factors (which remain somewhat inaccessible to our conscious minds). However, I have gradually come to the conclusion that - rather than representing a distinctive mode - the psycho-physical in fact represents the extremely close co-ordination of both affective and cognitive modes (where they typically operate on a largely unconsciou...

We have identified the three main modes of development as cognitive, affective and volitional respectively. Once again the cognitive mode is directly identified with (rational) thinking in the desire for ultimate knowledge regarding reality. The affective  mode is then directly identified with (emotional) feeling in the desire for the ultimate recognition of beauty with respect to this reality. Finally the volitional mode is directly identified with (spiritual) longing in the innate desire to literally become one with this reality (through love).  Successful development - especially - at "higher" levels of the spectrum - requires that an appropriate balance be maintained as between the three modes. However having said this, development however generally does not proceed in a balanced manner. So typically one mode - which is dominant in personality - leads the way with respect to "higher" development. Then the imbalances caused by this accelerated dev...

With respect to the sustained integral aspect of development, I have always placed special emphasis on the need to maintain appropriate balance as between the "big three" i.e. the cognitive, affective and volitional (conative) modes respectively. And in this conspiracy of the "big three", I have seen the volitional aspect (relating directly to will) in a primary sense as crucial, whereby it serves - when employed appropriately - as the essential means through which the cognitive and affective modes can be harmoniously balanced with each other. This the will, in this overall developmental context, expresses the innate desire for ultimate meaning (which is directly of a spiritual nature). Therefore, when this instinct is especially strong, it can to a considerable degree enable one to unravel many of the barriers - often set in early life - that prevent both cognitive and affective modes from operating effectively with each other. From a dynamic perspective, cog...

The great barrier to authentic spiritual enlightenment is excessive ego attachment. Though a certain degree of such attachment is in fact necessary, as the spirit must necessarily be mediated through phenomenal means, my personality has always tended to show an unusual degree of sensitivity in this regard. Thus in my adult life periods of illumination - though intuitively rich, fuelling intense bouts of activity in cognitive and affective terms - inevitably burned themselves quickly out in disillusionment, as undue attachment to phenomena gradually came to impede the pure spiritual light. So in reverse fashion at Band 5, I was now journeying through the 3 major levels. And just as at Band 3, Level 1 was directly concerned with the cognitive aspect, likewise it was true again with respect to Band 5. However whereas, earlier, the main thrust of such development was away from dualistic towards more paradoxical nondual appreciation, now in reverse fashion it was turning back from n...

We have now moved on to Band 5 in this account of the unfolding story of personal development. As with all the Bands, it is conveniently sub-divided into 3 major levels. And the time spent involved on the "integral forums" would be representative of the first stage of Level 1 (Band 5). Now again, while I refer to this in a discrete linear manner as just one - relatively - distinctive stage, it is important to bear in mind that this equally entails the realisation of how this stage is continuous (in circular fashion) with all other stages. So in my binary digital approach to development, one always must combine both the linear (1) aspect as the understanding of a differentiated stage with the circular (0) aspect of the corresponding nature of its integration with all other stages. The culmination of Band 4 - which immediately precedes this stage - represents an extreme in terms of the nondual integral appreciation of stage development. This entails appreciation of the ...

In all I spent four to five years entailing intense interactive engagement on the "integral" forums (1996 - 2000). When I look back now, 1 find it hard to believe that I contributed so much - mostly relating to difficult material - during this time. Overall, between forum contributions and e-mails it would have been somewhere, I imagine, in the region of 2 million words. And as I was full-time employed (as an Economics lecturer) all this output necessarily had to be contributed in my spare time. Inevitably however a price had to be paid. It has always been a characteristic of my development that "illuminative stages" would burn very brightly for a short period of time, where intellectual activity would reach a feverish pitch of intensity. And then inevitably the intuitive insight fuelling this activity would become depleted necessitating a major withdrawal, with the need then to replenish the unconscious wells within, very keenly experi...

What excited me so much about discussion on the "integral" forums, is that I had strong conviction that I had found the underlying holistic mathematical rationale of integration. Now, I must stress once more that this certainly does not represent the standard analytic mathematical approach applied to development (which would represent a gross form of reductionism), but rather an entirely distinctive mathematical appreciation that is primarily dependent on authentic intuitive insight before its concepts can become meaningful. So undoubtedly this was the biggest problem I faced all the time on the forums, as even those participants with genuine good will for my endeavours tended to approach ideas with their conventional mathematical training still firmly in place. Therefore perhaps it always was somewhat ambitious in thinking that I could start an intellectual revolution with these ideas (even though I think this will inevitably happen through someone else offering a simi...