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<p>Below is a short Easter reflection on the Resurrection ruffly
based on the Liturgical readings of the day. <br>
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<p>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?</p>
<p>Happy Easter<br>
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<p>Art <br>
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<p> </p>
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<font face="Liberation Sans, sans-serif"><font size="6"
style="font-size: 28pt"><b>Integral Resurrection</b></font></font></p>
<p align="right">Art Blomme April 16, 2025</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0in">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. </p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0in">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,<font color="#0000ff">
</font>Paul speaks about our inner experience of the resurrection
: <cite>F</cite><cite>ea</cite><cite>st, not with the old leaven,
nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth</cite><cite>fullness</cite><cite>.</cite></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0in">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. </p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0in">We
have evolved beyond our animal nature. We are a people of the
word. <cite>The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us</cite>.(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. </p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0in">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, <cite>Feast,
not on malice and wickedness</cite> which is toxic meaning <cite>but
on sincerity and truth</cite><cite>fulness </cite><cite>which
is </cite>Growth Mindset. </p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0in">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, <cite>O death,
where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?</cite> </p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0in">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.</p>
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