Another Integral Explorer

A Conversation of One

2008-09-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

Wow, another year gone bye and now you're posting on this blog again.Well, I've been busy.Yeah, haven't we all, is that going to be your perennial excuse?I guess so, I get swept up in the various torrents of life events, and they carry me far down stream from my intended course, and I need time to re-orient.Have you "re-oriented" then?Not really, I'm just catching one of those waves, the ones

A not so shameless plug

2007-09-15T05:49:00.000-07:00

My wife and I have had the privilege of knowing a very talented woman who lives about an hour's drive from us.Anne Lise was an accomplished opera singer in Europe, USA and Canada, now at 82 years she channels her creative energy through painting.If you have any interest in art, please check out her work here.Of course, I like most of her pieces, however I especially like the one entitled "My

Critical Reactions

2007-08-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

I have to admit to having strong emotional reactions to some forms of criticism, and criticisms of people that I hold in high esteem. My last post about attacks on emerging churches is a case in point. However I do believe that we need to listen to our critics, and the criticisms of those we hold in high esteem, and evaluate whether they have any merit. In the case of Brannon Howse and his

Spam Happens

2007-05-31T07:18:00.000-07:00

Today in my email inbox, was a warning from Worldview weekend about the dangers of Emergent. It seems that Brannon Howse thinks people involved with Emergent, or emerging churches are apostates. What the ...????This is why I have a difficult time identifing as "christian" as this is what most people associate with the term. Excuse me, I think I have to vomit now...

Staying Afloat

2007-05-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

So...I have decided not to delete this blog, but to keep it. I wish I could slow down the pace of life long enough to write my reflections here. I just can't seem to find the time, when most of my energy is trying to stay afloat in so many contexts. Staying afloat with family relationships, with friends (whom I've neglected most of all) with community connections including neighborhood,

to blog or not to blog

2006-12-08T14:53:00.000-08:00

It’s been a whole year without blogging…I’m not sure if I can sustain this blog anymore, because I’ve been able to DO so much more with my time since I took a year sabbatical. Most of that has been with people very close to me, family and friends who don’t blog anyway. Recently I’ve been re-evaluating my involvement with emerging church stuff. It’s been a mixed bag of hope and

Holidaze

2005-12-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

I've been fairly silent lately, and will be for a little while longer. I've been abducted by the season and am in a holidaze. Can't think clearly, can't tie my shoes, can't find my glasses. Don't have time to even wipe my...anyway you get the drift.May you survive better than I.

Generous Orthodoxy continuing half-baked ponderings:

2005-11-09T16:09:00.000-08:00

On Friday Nov. 4th the morning session was permeated with the sweet incense of Deborah Loyd’s story, up to her journey of currently ministering in Portland at The Bridge Community Church. Following the workshops, where I continued to hear from Deborah and her husband Ken about their work with street people in my home town, the next general session presentation was David Ruis, an engaging and

Generous Orthodoxy conference

2005-11-07T14:32:00.000-08:00

First of all let me say Woo-Hoo! This month marks one year of blogging! I really didn’t think I’d last this long. What was the most impactful thing that happened for you at the recent Generous Orthodoxy conference in Seattle? You ask? lol What impacted me most was meeting people, wonderful and gorgeous people who at least entered my sphere of acquaintance and now holds out the

A Day in the Life of the Canamari

2005-10-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

Recently I was reminded, from Blenda Blanda's blog, about some pastexperiences.It was a regular day during the dry season in the hot and humidtropical jungle of the Amazon rain forest. But it was anexceptional day because this day, by myself without any missionarysupervision from Lee, I was going to accompany Owapo on a villagefishing expedition. I was 18 years old, and you have to try

Faith, Evolution, and the Economy (revisited)

2005-10-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

The following is something I posted on the Emergent BB about a year and a half ago, and thought I’d throw it out again, this time here on my blog. This is what comes when I read too much. I read the recommended reading from Brian McLaren on Wendell Berry’s essay “In Distrust Of Movements” and I read an article referred from Tim Keel's blog by Dell deChant, “Economy as Religion”, and an

Return kick

2005-09-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

Return kick Originally uploaded by BrBozano. photo share

Point stopped (at least that one)

2005-09-14T13:09:00.001-07:00

Point stopped (at least that one) Originally uploaded by BrBozano. photo share

Goalie in action

2005-09-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Goalie in action Originally uploaded by BrBozano. photo share

Grand daughter Ariel

2005-09-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

Grand daughter ArielOriginally uploaded by BrBozano. This is Ariel who not only illustrates messages such as the post entitled Flood Relief, but plays goalie on a girls soccer team.

Aiden again

2005-09-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

Aiden2 Originally uploaded by BrBozano. Here's Aiden about a week ago. They do grow fast.

Proud Grandparents

2005-09-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

proudgrampaOriginally uploaded by BrBozano. This was taken last June, in the hospital when our grandson Aiden was born. His baby picture is posted here too.

Flood Relief

2005-09-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

Flood Relief 002 Originally uploaded by BrBozano. My grand daughter and I put this together, we both feel the need to do something, and she supplied the illustrations to get this message out.Also other bloggers are doing the same such as Trissa and Dwight Freesen and I'm sure many others that I haven't seen yet.If you are so inclined, here's a list of help agencies.

Desiderata

2005-07-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

I recently ran across some old prose that was popular when I was in my teens. There is urban legend about this text coming from an old 17th century church in Maryland, but the facts are that it was written by Max Ehrmann sometime in the 1920’s. The Desiderata written in the early last century, revived in the 60’s and 70’s, still carries a strong message for me today in the beginning of the

Good Journey Road Map

2005-07-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

Milky Way Originally uploaded by BrBozano. Along the journey, from time to time it's important when you feel lost, to re-orient yourself. This map should keep you in touch with where you are. ;)Good Journey

Good Journey Road Signs, #5

2005-07-15T12:42:00.000-07:00

share_the_road_72dpi Originally uploaded by BrBozano. I like this metaphor, sharing the road, is respect for diversity, "generous orthodoxy", and just makes sense. Share the road,and good journey.

Good Journey Road Signs, #4

2005-07-12T15:42:00.000-07:00

sign-road-softshoulder Originally uploaded by BrBozano. Most of the time the journey is not easy, and there are many perils and pitfalls. Hence the wishful phrase 'good journey' which is somewhat equivalent to 'good luck'. The more we practice grace through the difficulties, the more lucky we become. At least that's my hope.

Good Journey Road Signs, #3

2005-07-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

image01616 Originally uploaded by BrBozano. Along the journey it's nice to have clear directions from those who have gone before. Not all contradictions are cloaked in the wisdom of paradox, some are just plain stupid.

Good Journey Road Signs, #2

2005-07-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

image01414Originally uploaded by BrBozano. There are times along the journey that it seems that absolutely nothing is happening, but I suspect that there is really more going on than we are aware of, and going through those times successfully will give us a hind sight to see more clearly.

Good Journey Road Signs, #1

2005-07-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

image0022Originally uploaded by BrBozano. In the business of every day, week to week, this sign stands as fair warning along our journey.

Emerging Integral

2005-06-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

I have called this blog Another Integral Explorer, because I have been strongly influenced by the work of Ken Wilber. I have also been more than passively interested in what is happening in the cultural currents of the Christian community, particularly the phenomena of the emerging church. In so many ways I think the evolution of a more integral consciousness is unfolding rapidly in our

Aiden Franklin

2005-06-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

AidenFranklinOriginally uploaded by BrBozano. A hardy welcome to my new grandchild. Even though he was born last Friday June 3rd, this week has been hectic, and I'm just now blogging the news. He was a little premie, but weighed in at 7lbs 7oz and was 19in long. Even though Mom had a C-section, both mom and baby are doing well.Grandparenthood isGREAT !!!

something smells fishy here

2005-05-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

New evidence implying that language does affect our perception of "reality". I find the implications of this study fascinating. Check it out here.

And now for something completely different...

2005-05-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

The year was 1973, and Latin America was experiencing political unrest. For Argentina it was the year that Peron returned from exile, and in Chile it was the year that Allende was assassinated and his government overthrown in a military coup. It was also the year that I ventured to South America to live with missionaries deep in the Amazon interior. The political tension of the region was not

Louie Louie Me Gotta Go Now

2005-05-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

I couldn’t believe this news article. Today in Benton Arbor Michigan, there must be a time warp, apparently they’ve returned to the late 50’s and early 60’s. Check out the article here . A great website that exposes these kinds of urban legends, check it out here and here . It challenges my faith in democracy, when people can be so naïve and thoughtless. And this is what many in America

Matrix of Vertical and Horizontal Health

2005-04-28T11:59:00.001-07:00

It’s kind of funny how different things converge into your life and lead you down various thought trails. You’re welcome to follow my thought trails if you dare.This week on Integral Naked, there was a particularly poignant video clip, “The Matrix of Health: Vertical Transformation, Horizontal Translation,” where Ken Wilber discusses developmental progression through the Integral model he uses

Integral Psychograph, Multiple Intelligences

2005-04-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Integral Psychograph Originally uploaded by BrBozano. If this is difficult to read, try what I suggested below. On the Four Quadrant graph.

Wilber's4Quadrants

2005-04-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

Wilber's4Quadrants Originally uploaded by BrBozano. If you have difficulty reading the text, try downloading it as a file, and opening it with a viewer that can zoom and magnify the image.

Flashing Back

2005-04-13T15:42:00.000-07:00

I think maybe it’s turning 50 that makes one reflect on the journey trod thus far. But whatever be the case, I’ve been thinking back on my life’s twists and turns of fate. As I’ve noted in a previous post below, from my pristine experience of Jesus and his message I was gradually co-opted into a fundamentalist mentality for a couple of years in my late teens and early twenties. I can remember

watermelonart

2005-04-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

watermelonart Originally uploaded by BrBozano.

toomuchsun

2005-04-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

toomuchsun Originally uploaded by BrBozano.

balconytwilight

2005-04-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

balconytwilight Originally uploaded by BrBozano.

martinique

2005-04-01T12:21:00.001-08:00

martinique Originally uploaded by BrBozano.

stateroombalcony

2005-04-01T12:21:00.000-08:00

stateroombalcony Originally uploaded by BrBozano. More pics on this All Fools Day, but we really went, no foolin'.

Pinel Beach

2005-04-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

Pinel Beach Originally uploaded by BrBozano. A picture share of a very relaxing vacation.This is a small Island off St Martin, where we enjoyed the sun, the water, and did some snorkeling.

Being There on St Patricks Day

2005-03-17T19:42:00.000-08:00

Well here it is almost two months since my last blog entry. I was worried that my inconsistency and lack of discipline would show up if I took on this kind of project. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “It’s better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Well this principle works on several levels here at my blog. I

Inclusive, Word, Silence, Understanding

2005-01-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

I’ve been re-reading Sharif Abdullah’s book “Creating a World That Works For All”. His main message is inclusivity. The way in which he presents his philosophy of inclusivity stemming from the root teaching of the ‘golden rule’ in all religions, he seeks to raise the consciousness of individuals and communities, that we are all interconnected and interdependent and we need to reaffirm

pondering the gaps

2005-01-13T15:30:00.000-08:00

Today I’m pondering the gaps: between “what is”, what “could be”, and what we expect as “should be”. The concept of “what is” as I am using the phrase is Zen-like awareness, perceptual judgments of how things are connected and working together as a whole. An assessment of the distance between what we see as is and what we see as what could be, this is the gap of possibility. The

A Christmas Carol

2004-12-20T07:12:00.000-08:00

This time of year, being the time of Christmas, between the varieties of distractions still brings opportunity for reflection. Last weekend we watched the Classic Dickens story with our granddaughter, who saw it for the first time, and vicariously through her eyes we saw it again for the first time. There are so many versions playing on the airwaves (cable). We opted to view a remake with

evolution

2004-12-15T15:48:00.000-08:00

Some friends and I have been doing some reading (Alan Jamieson’s ‘A Churchless Faith’, some of Fowler’s ‘Stages of Faith’, and more recently ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ by St. John of the Cross) and email discussions on spiritual growth. Much like biological development (and maybe even attached to, so as not to create an unnecessary dualism) spiritual development or

Looking for Connections

2004-11-22T17:24:00.000-08:00

As an integral explorer, I’m on the lookout for connections. I was first introduced to the concept of integral, as integral, in the writings of Ken Wilber. Later I was introduced to an application of integral in the community of postmodern Christianity by the writings of Brian McLaren. Brian McLaren in reading Ken Wilber says that what Ken calls integral, he calls ‘emergent’. I don’t know

Hindsight

2004-11-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity to do a little time travelling. I met with an old friend, someone I’ve known since the 7th grade and who has shared many of life’s major pathways and transitions. We awakened sleeping memories, laughing, crying, and pondering how we have shifted our perspectives through 35 years. My friend and I experienced a religious conversion, an awakening to the

Story of the egalitarian experiment:

2004-11-12T08:52:00.000-08:00

I have been providing vocational/educational services for many years. After working for several agencies in various capacities dealing with vocational services, I got a wild hair to go out on my own and start a business providing these services. At first I structured the business as a sole proprietorship and worked out of my home. This went well for some time, but as the business began to

Introductions

2004-11-11T09:56:00.000-08:00

Today I was browsing the Integral Naked website where featured this week is a conversation between Ken Wilber and Chantal Westerman. The most memorable quote came from a convict in prison where Chantal was doing drug/alcohol rehab work. A man intervened, between Chantal and a heckler, by offering a distinction between religion and spirituality by saying, "Religion, that's for people who are