Customer Reviews

The Integral Operating System: Version 1. 0

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I found some new tidbits in this format that were very helpful, but in general, I had heard most of this on Kosmic Consciousness.

IOS is probably best suited for those who don't want to sit through 12 hours of interview. If you like a lot of material, Kosmic Consciousness might be better. It's probably a matter of personal preference.

I'm really looking forward to the Integral Life Practice Starter Kit to be published in Dec 2005. I think that the more extensive format is my preferred way to access to Ken Wilber and I imagine that the depth of coverage I'm looking for to follow up Kosmic Consciousness is going to be on ILPSK.

Good stuff on here, but if you have KC you probably don't need this. This could be a good intro to KW for those never exposed. Start w/ the DVD's and skip around until you find a topic you're interested in. Do the DVD's first and then follow up w/ the written material. That's my suggestion at least.

It's sometimes hard to understand Ken Wilburs' vision.( for me anyways) Now he has put together an "integrated" package using the metaphor of 'techspeak" to present an Integral Operating System for living. The users guide is short and to the point, outlining the theory and practice, while providing a step by step practice complete with a foldout poster for easy visulaization of the four quadrants. There are four dvds with additional media and converstaions with Ken Wilber explaining the four quadrants of the Integral Operating System. The packaging and presentation of the the message and the media is clean, direct and easy on the eye. The computer techspeak can be taken with a little wink of the eye, but his vision and plan comes across clearly. I have been reading various books by Wilber over the last year and this collection makes his vision a lot more understandable and easier to grasp at with a day by day action plan for implementation. You wonder if there will be an upgrade fee for version 2.0.

I found the Integral Map to be interesting and informative. That we are indeed integral beings, each aspect of ourselves overlaps into other dimentions of our human existance.
His bottom line of living an integrated life is essentially all
there is after taking away the layers of grids and labels.
I felt there was a real lack of depth and areas were touched upon
briefly and then the next item was qued up.
I came away with some new insights but in general was very disappointed.

The written material in this you would read in a day and it basically sums up Wilber's ideas succinctly but it is not an enjoyable read. The videos are very poor with Wilber sitting in a chair, usually, pontificating on things. The audio CDs are poorly recorded interviews with Wilber really just being at his repetitious best.
I have found some of Wilber's writing interesting. However, I think he has been sucked into Marketingitis. The packaging looks really nice though so nice I gave it to someone as a present. In the last few years Wilber has gone from Wilber 1 - Philosopher to Wilber 2 - "The Brand". Not really that much depth after all.

I tried getting interested in this program, but I couldn't grasp it, and found I didn't want to. I am trying to live in my head less, and my body more, and I don't see this as being conducive to doing so. Now I just want to think of someone I can gift it to.

Ken Wilber doesn't seem to be able to "get out of his head"!

This "integral" system is akin to giving someone a computer with a blank hard drive, a concise programming manual, and telling them all of the ways that this computer will make their lives better - as soon as they program (create) their "operating system". As valuable as this "operating system" may be, it's hardly very approachable or (initially) practical.

If you can enjoy - or tolerate - the challenge of doing things such as reading psychology or philosophy text books, then any of Wilber's works may be helpful. If, like me, those kinds of things make your eyes roll back into your head, then leave Wilber on the shelf.

Ken is not as fun on this as on his Kosmic Consciousness CD set--he sounds like he is a bit tired of explaining his conceptual structure-- but this is the most concise presentation (2 CDs). His analysis of how philosophy, psychology, mysticism, meditation systems, etc. all intersect is brilliant. Since he is not a therapist or spiritual teacher per se, I don't think his theories cover everything, but I consider him a "must study" for anyone interested in any of these things.

I am actually returning this product. After only 5 minutes of the DVD, Wilber insults anyone who is a Republican by basically stating that they do not have the ability to grasp his concepts. What a turnoff. One would think a so called "enlightened" person such as Wilber woud embrace all people. But apparently not. I do not support any product that insults any group. Its very narrow minded and petty. I lost interest very quickly. Very disappointed.

A very compact and useful overview of Ken Wilber's Integral perspectives and practices.