An Integral Theory of Consciousness by Ken Wilber: Week 4, Post5-

Ken Wilber in the academic article “An Integral Theory of Consciousness,” writes about an extensive data search among various types of developmental and evolutionary sequences that yielded a 4 quadrant model of consciousness; Intentional, Behavioural, Cultural, and Social. Each level is broken down into a dozen major stages or levels of consciousness. I found this very interesting because consciousness to me is not an exact science so it seems very odd to me that we humans try to break down our consciousness into a cut and dry science. However, I do find it necessary to do this because it really is the only way we can comprehend what our consciousness really is. We have to, in a way, put this not so exact science more so into terms of black and white to be able to understand how our brains work, even though as we all know that just is not how our minds operate. Our thought processes vary in degree from one another; there are many shades of gray, even though there are many major similarities, which is indeed what Wilber is speaking of in this article.
One portion of the 12 major levels that I found quiet interesting was the Nonordinary states of consciousness in which Wilber spoke of dreams and the use of psychedelics. I personally have never used them; i.e.: Magic Mushrooms, LSD, etc., but I do have many friends who have used them and have stated to me that they have brought them enlightening experiences that they still treasure to this day. They spoke of how the experiences changed their views on life for the better in many ways. I believe it to be due to the fact they cause, as Wilber says, “toxic side-effects” but I do believe these drugs open up parts of the mind that help us to further investigate our concept of consciousness at a much deeper level then if we were “sober”, and not always in a bad way, sometimes in ways to further our development.