Mission Statement
At Boulder Integral, our mission is to foster the emergence of integral consciousness and culture.
Our Shared Vision
Boulder Integral is a community of shared philosophical agreement and committed practice. We believe that we are poised at the beginning of a new turn in the spiral of human history, where for the first time all constructions of human knowledge and forms of beneficial practice are available.
We hear the next octave of a new Renaissance, where entirely new structures of thought, new reality frames, new ways of being human, and new stages of development await us, supported by a vastly clearer view of the great contributions of the past, as well as its pathologies. At Boulder Integral we stand in this confluence, eager to aid in the creation of the next wave of development: The Integral Age.
Explicitly Integral
The Integral Age is in its infancy. Boulder Integral is among the first walk-up, embodied integral communities in the world. We are an experiment in community that strives to do more than reflect commonly held values. Our experiment in living is drawn toward something new, something “explicitly integral”. What this phrase means for us continues to evolve and do not claim that we have fully lived into this new suit of values. Yet we know that we must learn to live a new way; to find a path to the highest states of consciousness and stages of development; to commit in full to our own potential, and turn in love and service to humanity. So as we turn and turn again in full commitment toward a new human possibility, we have come to believe that the following values and capacities are among those that could be called “explicitly integral”, and as such represent an important advance at this moment in history.
Among the “explicitly integral” values and capacities are:
1. The ability to see humanity in a process of a continuous development and evolution through stages which are included and transcended by the next higher stage, each of which has its own contribution and dignity. For the first time we can see the fundamental contributions of these stages, without taking on their embedded fears and contracted states. We consciously seek the best of what has come before, while at the same time rejecting the dead ends and pathological expressions of structures of consciousness that have come before.
2. The development of a capacity to hold and act from multiple perspectives simultaneously, in ways that harmonize these perspectives and produce actions that are situationally appropriate and consistent with both practical realities and our highest vision.
3. The recognition of the reality and power of the interior dimensions of any occasion. Our states of consciousness affect not only our perception of a situation but the direction and outcome of the event itself. We embrace our responsibility toward our thought forms and interior states, and are committed to practices which train and bring forth the highest state experiences. This being said, we do not see the pursuit of states alone as adequate integral practice, and see none of them as absolute. We see higher states as necessary, but not in themselves sufficient aspects of integral practice.
4. Becoming consciously aware of the framework each of us uses to interpret our experience. We understand that this framework is often a pre-given, culturally conditioned way of viewing the world. This framework, including our own integral map, may be useful but is not absolute, and is by no means the only valid or accurate interpretive framework. We recognize all such frameworks as intersubjective agreement inventions that are relatively useful in communicating and making meaning out of our experience. Philosophy is public, cumulative and constructed. We therefore own our belief systems, and recognize them as such, not as absolute truths to be imposed on others. We aspire to be public and transparent about our philosophical agreement, and are open to being convinced about changes to this agreement. We encourage debate, honest disagreement, and continuous quality improvement in the construction of our intersubjective reality frame.
5. The embrace of objectivity and the ability to see ourselves and our situations from an objective perspective without fear or condemnation. We value the fruits of the objective view which include science, skillful means, appropriate interventions, and new and better solutions to the fundamental existential problems of the human condition. This said, viewing ourselves and others exclusively as “its” or a collections of objects is an inadequate understanding for the next level of human evolution, not because of its lack of truth, but because of its ability to see only partial truth.
6. The recognition that no new paradigm is true or even comes fully into existence without the means of its enactment. We are striving to become a group of people with energy and eagerness, willing to take on big projects that tackle the fundamental problems of human existence. We want to change situations for the better. If a situation calls for a change in our thoughts, feelings, state of consciousness, or the way we behave and show up — we get about making that change. If a situation calls for a change in external conditions, we get up off our cushions, get moving and change those conditions. And if a situation calls for a re-framing or re-interpretation of experience, we don’t hang on to our old way of seeing and being right.
Community
Our community loves the heights of transformative experience, while at the same time honoring the practical good and valuing the shared agreements that will allow us to live in peace and continue our collective evolution. We seek to serve the world by both application of our energies to specific problems and by the presence we bring to any occasion.
When you walk through our door, we hope you will find people characterized by low levels of fear, low antibodies to change, love and respect for one another, and the desire to create and be in service to the world. We criticize through creating.
We want to have fun when we get together. Our collective intention creates a field that is joyful most of the time. We are no longer afraid of ourselves and what we can create. We are a continuously learning and transforming community, moving on in the process of evolution.
Our group has a unique advantage: almost everyone has had depth experiences with many “practices” designed to unleash and nurture some aspect of human potential. Collectively, we have kissed a lot of frogs, and are now ready to design and construct transformational systems that more predictably awaken and stabilize integral functioning. We have the capacity to know the best approaches and develop still better. One of our primary undertakings is the development and export of great practices and the combination of practices for ourselves and for the benefit others. Our members learn, share and create practices that exercise and develop all aspects of the self with the goal of greater capacity, awareness, compassion, and effectiveness. We love and own our shadow and growing edges.
We create most of our own programs and our menu is continuously changing. We seek to create an environment where the gifts of the individual are seen, honored, cherished and developed. We are highly creative and constantly evolving individuals who support each other’s endeavors, and establish collective conditions where creativity can flourish and transformative miracles can happen. Those who are ready to turn outward toward a public creative expression that makes a real contribution will probably enjoy our community the most.
An Invitation
If what you have just read sounds interesting, come hang out with us. We have a variety of programs, research and development activities, small groups, parties, public evenings and service opportunities. All of this can be experienced, but the real fun is what you want to create. We hope to see you soon.
The Work
Boulder Integral is a community of shared philosophical agreement and committed practice. Its mission is to foster growth of a community dedicated to a life of deeper goodness, truth and beauty through the creation of integral culture. Learn more about what we mean by integral.
To advance our mission, our non-profit corporation conducts operations in a beautiful 7,000 square foot facility in Boulder, Colorado, sponsors seminars, hosts classes, charters small groups, incubates explorers groups, has fun with community social events and parties, and partners with people who are seriously interested in creating books, teachings, seminars, DVD’s, webcasts, and other artifacts that have potential to advance the evolution of culture.
Our emphasis is on the development of new applications of Integral Theory, finding out what it means to live an integral lifestyle, and the creation of innovations. Our seminars, trainings, meetings and practice groups all advance the understanding and practice of personal and collective transformation.
We carry out our mission through the following vehicles:
Non- Profit Status
Boulder Integral Inc. is a non- profit, 501 (c) (3) Corporation that has been recognized by the Internal revenue service as a publicly supported non-profit eligible to receive charitable contributions. A copy of our tax- exemption letter can be viewed >here<. Our tax returns are posted online as they become available.
Facilities
We have given a substantial face lift to an old Lutheran church on the corner of Broadway and Balsam in Boulder Colorado, where we conduct our operations. Our 7,000 square foot facility has a kitchen, salon area for discussions, a meditation hall, workout room, kids area, offices, teaching room for classes of 30-40, a larger seminar and movement room for groups of 50-70 with a great sound system, and a well equipped video and audio production facility. We would love to have you come by and see the place. Please let us know in advance so we can greet you properly by email us at info@boulderintegral.org
Seminars
Each year we will host three or four substantial seminars attended by people from around the world. Typically a seminar develops when we have great teachers showing up around a topic of interest to the integral community. Seminars we will conduct in our first year of operations include a seminar in Integral Christianity, Integral Leadership, and Addiction and Recovery.
Classes
We have made a commitment great classes and helping good integral teachers become great integral teachers. Every month we have a variety of weekend and evening classes, which are announced in our newsletter and featured on our home page. We are interested in presenting material from integrally-informed individuals who offer something new and innovative in their field. If you have something new, this is the place to come and try it out. Examples of our classes are teachings on intimate relationships, community relationships, integral philosophy, Radical Emptiness, the Evolution of Christianity, Developmental Levels, Coaching, and many other topics. If you are interested in teaching a class, please contact Nomali Perera.
Small groups and Practice intensives
Small groups are fundamental points of connectivity and clear springs of creativity in the integral world. They grow and nurture the matrix of shared intention, enhanced capacity and mutual accountability that is the very best of what we have to offer. They are the place where we can see and be seen, and come to care about one another.
Currently we offer (or recently have offered) small group experiences in Intensive Integral Practice, Men’s work, Mothering, Mindfulness, Integral Christianity, Livelihood, and Integral Philosophy. To support needs for intimacy and confidentiality some of these groups are closed containers. Many more small groups come into being as we continue our work. View our current offerings.
If you are interested in joining a small group, you must first become a member, then simply show up or contact us. If you are interested in leading a Small Group, we would love to talk with you, and make sure to read our guidelines for small group leaders.
Community Events
We like to have fun. Some of the ways we have fun are parties, movie nights, and other community events. We typically have something of interest to everyone. This is a great place to hang out with people who “get you”. Checkout our current events online or sign up for our newsletter.
Explorers Groups
We regularly act as a convener of intimate groups of people with substantial experience or interest in a topic, and a desire to change the world in some way great or small. Typically these groups are by invitation only, and assume a fairly high level of understanding of integral philosophy. If you are a serious student of integral and would like to be invited to an explorer’s group in your area of interest, Please contact Jeff Salzman.
Innovators
The integral world space is filled with people who want to make a difference. If you have an artifact (seminar, teaching, DVD, product, etc. ) developed or in development, that comes from an integral level of consciousness, and want to talk to someone about it, please contact Ross Hostetter. Our guidelines for partnership are in the process of formation at the present time.
The Crew
Coordinating Circle
Five people are currently responsible for all of the day to day decision making at Boulder Integral. They consist of two full time staff, Nomali Perera and Jason Lange, and three voulunteers, Jeff Salzman, Ross Hostetter and Mary Hostetter.
Jeff Salzman is lead teacher at Boulder Integral as well as part of the founding circle. He is co-founder of CareerTrack Training, and has worked in adult education / transformation for twenty five years. For three years Jeff worked side by side with Ken Wilber building the Integral Institute, an international center for integral theory and application. A Divinity School dropout, he has a Masters Degree in Indo-Tibetan Studies from Naropa University. Jeff is devoted to the Integral Worldview and to helping it arise in people’s mind/bodies through the world of Boulder Integral. At the present time Jeff is the primary benefactor of our enterprise and is responsible for the programming at out center. He can be reached at jeff@boulderintegral.org.
Nomali Perera is a member of the founding circle of Boulder Integral. She manages events and general operations, with a keen eye for the look and feel of the center. Bitten by the integral bug, Nomali moved from Sri Lanka to Boulder, Colorado in 2002. Since then, she obtained a BA in Contemplative Psychology & Religious Studies from Naropa University, an MA in Nonprofit Management from Regis University, Denver, and worked/volunteered at Ken Wilber’s Integral Institute. She is currently a student of Integral Coaching Canada and can be reached at nomali@boulderintegral.org.
Ross Hostetter is part of the founding circle at Boulder Integral. Ross has enjoyed a distinguished career as an attorney, mediator, and professional trainer spanning 30 years. He came to Boulder to become General Counsel of the Integral Institute. Much of his life has been devoted to formal theoretical study and the full- bodied experience of many states and stages of development, with a particular emphasis on the spiritual line. Ross is working at Boulder Integral to create a matrix of shared agreement, structure, practice, and open-hearted community that will express the possibilities of the Integral Worldview. He and his partner Mary have been married for 20 years and are raising three children together. At the present time Ross is responsible for the business functions of Boulder Integral. He can be reached at ross@boulderintegral.org.
Mary Hostetter is part of the founding circle at Boulder Integral. Mary brings a wealth of community experience having been a lead member of several non-profits over the last 25 years. She has helped start an Episcopal school, retreat center, contemplative prayer small groups and women’s spiritual growth programs, as well as helping a Dallas inner city cultural center. She grew up in a family of 12 children and has 3 children with her partner, Ross. Mary spent 10 years in public finance after graduating from Smith College and has a licentiate in Spiritual Direction and Theology. She also is a student of energetic healing. She can be reached at mary@boulderintegral.org.
Jason Lange is part of the founding circle at Boulder Integral. Jason helps manage both the facilities and technologies behind the Center. He has been a student of integral theory for nearly a decade and moved to Boulder to join the Integral Institute in 2006. He has a BA in Film & Digital Media and loves all types of media and technology, but has a particular passion for film directing and the cinematic arts. He can be reached at jason@boulderintegral.org.
Board of Directors
Boulder Integral’s board currently consists of three members: Jeff Salzman, Ross Hostetter, and Steve McIntosh. The bios of both Jeff and Ross are outlined above.
Steve McIntosh is the author of Integral Consciousness and the Future of Evolution: How the Integral Worldview Is Transforming Politics, Culture, and Spirituality (Paragon House 2007). He is an original member of the Integral Institute think tank, and has taught integral philosophy to a wide variety of audiences. In October of 2007 What Is Enlightenment? Magazine featured an extensive interview of Steve entitled: Integral Politics Comes of Age, and referred to him as “integral thinker par excellence.”
An honors graduate of the University of Virginia Law School and the University of Southern California Business School, today Steve is founder and president of Now & Zen, Inc., an international manufacturing company marketing “natural lifestyle products” which he has invented, including the famous Zen Alarm Clock. Steve is a long-time participant in progressive culture, he has traveled extensively throughout the world, and has had a variety of successful careers, practicing law with one of the nation’s biggest firms, and working as an executive with Celestial Seasonings tea company. He lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two sons.
He can be reached at: steve@boulderintegral.org.