Philosophy

The Love of Wisdom that Inspires Us

This organization derives its vision from an understanding of the world process that seeks to constantly arrive at an inclusivity of all of the various facets, challenges, and approaches that our existence entails. Externalities shall be brought into the equation. We see wisdom in being exposed to the realities of multiculturalism, pluralistic worldview, and abundant possibilities in a way that seeks to appreciate the context from which diversity arises. We hypothesize that it is in this exposure that the citizen is more likely to draw conclusions that are informed and will thus be empowered to make positive livelihood and lifestyle changes that are reflective of the best interests of evolving Life.

As a centre of integral thought and practice we mean to develop a synergistic approach to the plethora of stimuli, dualities, and contrasts with which we are faced as sentient beings; it is our choice to not shy away from those realities which may jeopardize the static patterns of separative existence but instead to seek to be open to the possibility of synthesis, adaptation, and transformation, going forth with the courage to be consistently inquiring into the nature and implications of our lives. By not denying, by not shutting out, or sweeping under the proverbial carpet any observed phenomena or notable trend, we aspire toward creating a sustainable, culturally enriching, spiritually uplifting venue of inquiry, discussion, and experimentation.

ACIL is intended as an effort in facilitation. It is about creating a space wherein the individual may participate within the setting of group process such that the relevant issues, motivations, and opportunities of our time and place are engaged with and constructively acted upon without furthering petty forms of self-interest but rather drawing from an understanding of the common good. We observe that philosophy – the love of wisdom – comes in many different shades and so it is with diversity in the multi-coloured fabric of human experience that we move into weaving a consciously evolving integration of nature, culture, and consciousness.

Our triadic philosophy – Soil, Society, and Spirit – is meant to be indicative of the territory of our meshing qualities, needs, and longings while accentuating the manner by which we may come to identify and create the conditions through which they may be fully realized.

Soil, Ecology, or the experience of living in a household of interconnected life systems, we acknowledge as the foundation for our material existence. Without ecology there is no economy, no culture, no ethics. It is the Old English eorðe, the physicality of the manifold world of maya; indeed, by 'Soil' we mean to represent our necessary relationship and our responsibilities pertaining to our role, in nature. It's seamless design allows for us to function within the construct of an ever persistent impetus to learn, to change, and to develop a greater understanding of what is. If we deny the 'soil', if we neglect to care for all of the little creatures that compose it, if we wantonly pollute it through myopic externalities, we jeopardize our own quality of life, and indeed our very existence.

Because we depend on the functioning of our planetary biosphere in its entirety, we at ACIL seek to bring about greater awareness and interactivity within the citizen and their surrounding environment. We choose to embody the idea that underlies ecology and the biological sciences in general as a vital aspect in holistic existence.

It has been said that nature is the great invisible teacher, the font of human creativity. If we allow ourselves, we may be calmed, instructed, and inspired by what nature is already doing – it's innate competence allows us to see our own capacity to meet the challenges we are faced with and adapt symbiotically with that of which we are a part. The Aspen Centre for Integral Living aspires to create circumstances through which the citizen may come to observe, know, and most importantly, experience, the natural world such that the factor of 'Soil' comes to be respected and acknowledged in ever greater quality.

Furthermore, ACIL chooses to perceive the biological realm as not only a 'thing' of utilitarian value, a compendium of objects that sustains anthropic activity and growth, but more basically a collectivity of intelligence and experience worthwhile in and of itself. That there is inherent value in natural life processes (left un-manipulated, un-manufactured, un-limited by humankind) is a fundamental tenet of this organization and that in all spheres where we are interacting with said processes it is vital to be mindful of our impact on them and to be continually inquiring into how we may evolve our approaches so that they are regenerative rather than destructive, symbiotic rather than exploitive. For, though it may be necessary at times and to degrees to commodify elements within our environment so that we may manage them more effectively as 'capital', it should always be remembered that the ocean waving, the wind blowing, and the sun shining hold a ground universal importance aside from what they can be harnessed for.

Society is the fabric of the human community and deals with the aforementioned collective utilization of the natural capital for economic and cultural ends; the 'social' is how we perceive, relate to, and interact with one another as persons. Without bringing together the diversity of individuals in cooperative effort, understanding, and respect for the underlying similarities – the shared origin, capacity, and destiny - our species quickly renders itself obsolete. We cannot survive, much less thrive, in a predicament wherein we are consistently up against 'the other'. The Aspen Centre for Integral Living posits it such that community, conscious effort toward reconciliation and the genuine commitment to larger, more encompassing definitions of “self interest” are necessary elements in an evolving, healthy civilization.

One of the simplest yet most effective mannerisms intended through the Centre's activities is to bring people together. By creating the space wherein engagement of the individual in the public sphere is promoted, it is possible to cultivate the higher faculties, demarcate possible futures, and better appreciate where we are at. That “no human is an island” is a founding ethic which we seek to establish within the operating procedures of the organization; the reality of interconnectedness helps us to see that we are not alone, that transformational empowerment is ever present in working with as opposed to fearing the 'other'.

To facilitate processes through which caring, communication, and openness are cultivated amidst diverse individuals in group settings is a principle that we are committed to. By acknowledging and honouring the adaptive tendency to value our differences while cultivating the common ground as foundation for harmonious living we do our utmost to create a situation by which a peaceful, egalitarian civilization may arise.

We seek to value the human community as not only a practical adaptation for survival but as an end in and of itself. To nurture relationships between diverse groups and individuals, to make evident the connection of the individual with the whole, and to foster cooperation in genuinely sustainable endeavour are each part of the founding philosophy of this organization. To create conditions whereby humans begin to look at one another – across all boundaries, creeds, and ideology – as allies in the same collective effort goes hand in hand with each of the activities, events, and practices that take place under the auspices of this organization.

Spirit pertains to that numinous quality innate in all of existence. The search for the Transcendent, movement through divinity, the development of identification with the whole of evolutionary process and that which lies as its creative impetus; each of these are but different ways to speak of that impulse within us to come to know the Truth that is our essence.

We at the Aspen Centre for Integral Living choose to put forth our energies in such a way that expands the horizon of the individual's development of connection with Source. We do not seek to proselytize any given spiritual tradition but rather to look at the broad spectrum of religious experience, and corresponding patterns, in philosophical terms. By presenting the vast array of perspectival tendencies in our species' attempts at coming to respond constructively to the multidimensionality of existence, we allow the greatest possible room to grow into ever more comprehensive definitions of selfhood. Infinite depth lies underneath all surfaces formlessly abounding as the greater container of form's dance.

In sharing common approaches of accessing the esoteric, by advancing trans-denominational spiritual exploration and hosting diverse programs, ACIL acknowledges itself as but a medium through which the citizen may come to contemplate and participate in both secular and traditional approaches to spiritual knowing. At the root of its forays into the metaphysical, the Centre aims to provide the opportunity to inquire into and learn various yogic modalities, meditation techniques, scriptural studies, and trends within consciousness without pressuring or forcing the individual to adopt any given perspective. Specifically, by providing space for the person to think for their self and in encouraging a reliance upon personal experience, the various practices and worldviews presented shall be freely engaged, adopted, and/or discarded without intimidation or coercing.

Above all else, the inquiry into the nature of Spirit is of one's own accord and coincidently all questioning, criticism, and adaptation are within the responding ability of the individual's sphere. We at ACIL do not propose to have any secret answers but instead choose to concern ourselves with the largest diaspora of historical examination, scientific data, and personal practice so that the probability of arriving at ever more accurate, functional models of contemplation, self-work, and a nurturing of the Divine in this world. At all times we shall seek to invite participation to the widest body of humanity; there shall be no denominational segregation, nor any reasoning based upon prejudice, profit-seeking, or fundamentalism. In regards to the religious life - that dimension that joins the human with the totality of Kosmos – ACIL considers it essential to honour the pluralistic nature of the search for the sacred while acknowledging the limitations of egocentric belief and behaviour. That there are many paths toward Realization, Enlightenment, Salvation is a reality that is substantiated every time a person looks at the multiplicity of the world in the context of their own subjective perspective. Having said this, we believe it necessary to allow for the possibility of a meeting and coming together of the diversity of religious experience such that the Unnamed, Unformed, Absolute, which is at the heart of all human spirituality comes into being recognized as a shared endeavour and Universal quality within all of That Which Is.