[Sundaycommunity] My Easter Reflection: Integral Resurection

[Arthur Blomme]

Below  is a short Easter reflection  on the Resurrection ruffly based on 
the Liturgical readings of the day.

It is inspired by Thomas Aquinas'  4 transcendentals expounded by 
Integral Philosopher, Ken Wilbur. This reflection looks at resurrection 
from the individual interior quadrant.  A much more involved  essay 
would reflect on Integral resurrection  through each of these four 
quadrants.  In which Quadrant do you think social justice would fall?

Happy Easter

Art

*Integral Resurrection*

Art Blomme April 16, 2025

Resurrection is an integral experience manifested in the totality of our 
being. As individuals we have both an inner and outer reality in which 
that resurrection is manifested.

The Easter Gospel from John for this year speaks to the external reality 
of the resurrection indicating the sign of the empty tomb. In this 
Easter’s Epistle from 1 Corinthians,Paul speaks about our inner 
experience of the resurrection : Feast, not with the old leaven, nor 
with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread 
of sincerity and truthfullness.

We now know that at a cellular level our cells can go into two 
directions. When the cells experience toxicity in their environment they 
will withdraw and protect themselves. In the absence of toxicity the 
cells will flourish and multiply in a healthy environment. At the animal 
level, our systems( our animal nature) will respond to danger and 
toxicity by activating our fight or flight response mechanism. In the 
absence of danger, our animal natures will thrive.

We have evolved beyond our animal nature. We are a people of the word. 
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.(John 1:14) What 
sets us apart from our animal nature is meaning, that is “the Word”, 
“Logos”. We are a semantic class of being. The two paths, toxic 
withdrawal (fight or flight} and creative expansion are inherited from 
the lower classes (animal nature) when we emerged into the higher 
semantic class of being.

Contemporary motivational theory contrasts negative mindsets ruled by 
fear with that of a positive “Growth Mindset”. A Growth Mindset is like 
that of the child, who fearlessly explores and expands his/her potential 
and learning to greater heights. Paul's statement, Feast, not on malice 
and wickedness which is toxic meaning but on sincerity and truthfulness 
which is Growth Mindset.

I believe that the root of toxic thinking is the fear of death. When we 
have faith in the resurrection of the Cosmic Christ, we chose “The 
Word”, ultimate meaning itself and the end to the meaning of death. As 
Paul declares later in 1 Corinthians, O death, where is your victory? O 
death, where is your sting?

Our faith in the resurrection means that we are no longer of the world 
of death and sin but now live in the Kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem, 
the Cosmic Body of Christ. As such, we live with a Growth Mindset 
building the structures for a loving and just world together with all 
people of good will.
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