Integral Enlightenment

You sense that we’re facing an extraordinary and critical moment in the unfolding of our human story, and you feel called to serve in creating the pathways to a more enlightened future.

If you’re like most evolutionaries, chances are you also feel a bit overwhelmed by the task at hand. You sense that there is a much bigger life calling for your contribution. You believe that we can advance what it is to be human–in a way that not only better serves our work, families and lives, but fulfills on the highest promise of humanity’s potential.

Yet you know that to really help manifest these extraordinary potentials, you’re going to need to evolve in a way that few human beings ever have. You need to be optimized with the fullest capacities humans can embody.

You’ve realized that evolution needs more than just witnesses and bystanders. It needs us to wake up and step up—as conscious participants who have developed ourselves to be capable of serving and guiding the greatest collective awakening in our human history.

You know you’re called to be one of these people. What you need to know now is:

Where can you get the specific training you need in order to make this kind of radical evolutionary progress?

And, where can you find a supportive community of kindred spirits who share your passion to evolve not only a better self, but a better world and enlightened future?

An Academy for Evolutionaries

Here at Integral Enlightenment, we’re committed to one thing: empowering evolutionaries. That means providing you with the tools, training and support to evolve and grow in unprecedented ways.

People who are committed to conscious evolution face some unique challenges. This is unquestionably a pioneer’s journey, and it can feel like heading into new territory for which no maps currently exist.

We’re also acutely aware that traditional paths and practices, as powerful as they once were, are reaching their limitations for many of us who are awakening to this new spiritual calling. We need practices and perspectives that are in step with our times, that integrate both ancient and emerging wisdom, and are informed by an up-to-date understanding of the human condition.

To support the emergence of a whole new way of being human, we need a path that stands up to the complexities and challenges of modern life.

In order to serve this growing need for authentic, effective evolutionary training and support, we’ve created what may be the first Academy for Evolutionaries—an innovative global training ground for people like you, who yearn to be “optimized” to make their greatest contribution, and are determined to develop themselves to fully meet this calling.

Over the past 15 years, we’ve brought together core insights and approaches based on decades of on-the-ground practice and research at the leading edge of spiritual inquiry.

And now, for the first time, we’ve distilled all of this wisdom and innovation into in a single intensive course–to help evolutionaries catalyze the fundamental shift that leads to radical evolution.

An Invitation

Imagine being part of a cutting-edge weekly gathering of passionate individuals committed to their own and humanity’s evolution. Imagine journeying together to the emerging edges of human potential and learning how to realize that potential in yourself and make it manifest in the world.

If the idea of being part of such a gathering inspires you, we invite you to join us for an adventure of a lifetime.

Over nine weeks, we’ll gather together online and by conference call to push the edges of our individual and collective potential.

Each week, we’ll venture into another aspect of what it means to embrace an evolutionary relationship to life.

First, we’ll step back and take in the big picture that brought us all together in the first place—our recognition of the precious significance of this human life and our potential to become awakened agents of conscious evolution. We’ll immerse ourselves in the enlightened consciousness that is the foundation of all authentic spirituality. And we’ll explore the new, emerging evolutionary vision that is redefining the spiritual path for our time.

Then, we’ll take a deep dive into the path itself. We’ll explore what it really means to consciously evolve our own consciousness. We’ll carefully examine the obstacles that usually stop us on the path. And we’ll practice proven techniques and exercises to help us gain the evolutionary traction we need to not only surmount but ultimately transcend those obstacles altogether.

Once we have a deep and grounded grasp of the path, we’ll then jump into the most important question of all: What does it mean to have an evolutionary relationship to every aspect of life? We’ll look at the exceptional transformative potential of evolutionary relationships and leadership, and cultivate the skills needed to create them. We’ll explore how we can bring our work lives and careers into alignment with our highest callings. And we’ll discover the essential ingredients to creating “evolutionary culture” in any group we’re a part of, and in the world as a whole.

Finally, we’ll examine what it means for each of us to take the steps we need to take to bring everything we’ve learned and everything we’ve experienced into full embodiment now and for the rest of our lives—what it means to truly sustain an evolutionary relationship to life.

Feedback from some of our course graduates…

What you will learn…

It’s more than a course—it’s a community!

Everyone needs the support of kindred spirits and like-minded comrades, particularly when confronting a challenge as daunting as the evolution of consciousness. But, let’s face it—the evolutionary journey can be a lonely walk. We represent a new stage of human emergence and, at this point, there aren’t that many of us around. In fact, particularly if you’re new to all this, or live in a small town, you may be the only person of “your kind” that you know!

When you join this sacred gathering,
you’ll become part of a rich, vibrant
community of individuals, who, just like
you who are seeking to connect with
similarly inclined souls on an evolutionary
path. And you’ll be able to engage with your compatriots in a private online learning
community created exclusively for
the participants of this course.

This isn’t just another online forum where a few brainiacs argue about the finer points of integral theory. This online learning community is a dynamic opportunity for living experiments and genuine evolutionary engagement. As a part of each week’s curriculum, you’ll be given exercises for contemplation and reflection, and invited to post your responses on the forum. You’ll also be invited to respond in specific ways to the reflections of others, as a way of building the support and connectivity that is such a vital part of the evolutionary path.

How far can you evolve in nine weeks?

As it turns out, more than you might think. Further than any other path has taken you, further than you may have come in your whole life—further even than we have come as humankind in a very long time.

A legitimate question many students ask before taking this course is “What will an evolutionary relationship to life really look like in practical terms?” How does the radical shift beyond a life rooted in the habitual patterns of the past–into a life propelled by the conscious stance of the evolutionary self—really change things day-to-day?

Our more than 5,000 graduates have told us a few things about that. In taking on this exploration of radical possibilities for personal and cultural evolution, they’ve found that this journey prepares and inspires them to begin operating from an evolutionary relationship to life very quickly during and after the course.

And this fundamental shift in their orientation, awareness and perspective helped them make real changes and achieve authentic awakening in a number of powerful and exciting ways.

Students report that these new capacities not only change their lives dramatically for the better, but support the true fulfillment of their deepest calling: to become more conscious, effective agents of change in the world.

These are the top results participants uniformly report that began to manifest after just nine weeks of engaging the practices and principles of this work, and giving the reins to a newly-discovered, deeper part of the self:

Deeper motivation and sustained momentum for lasting change

One of the universal challenges on the path of spiritual development and personal growth is converting our insights into lasting results. Despite hard work, glimmers of tremendous potential, and deepening awareness—even periods of significant progress–many of us get frustrated by our tendency to slide back into old patterns.

But participants say that when they learned to access their evolutionary self, they discovered enduring, compelling resources of will and motivation deep within–powerful enough to sustain their practices, truly embody new possibilities, and spur action on what really matters. The result: a newfound robustness and rigor in their commitment to spiritual practices, their lives, and their highest aspirations in the world.

Judy Voruz of Carlton, OR, wrote to tell us “Craig’s teaching strengthened my deepest commitment to living as an evolutionary. This has provided the motivation to establish a daily meditation practice, let go of unwanted habit patterns, and experience a deep reverence for and responsibility to the care of the whole–resulting in greater discipline and dedication in all areas of life.”

Richer, more authentic relationships and connections with community

Stepping up to trailblaze meaningful change in the world and pioneer a new way of being human is an exciting and enlivening prospect, but it can also be lonely out on the leading edge. And unless we surround ourselves with others who share our highest values and aspirations, we almost inevitably find ourselves battling a kind of invisible but powerful social gravity that draws us back into the unenlightened, unevolved “world mind” we’re trying to break free from.

That’s where evolutionary partnership with kindred spirits becomes essential. One of the most consistent forms of feedback we receive from course graduates is gratitude for the supportive context provided by the course, and for deeply connected friendships and partnerships that continue long after the program ends.

Lisa Kramer from Conshohocken, PA, told us: “I took the nine-week course in the summer of 2011. This course has equipped me with tools and practices as well as an extraordinary community of like-minded people who remind me every day that I am part of the Whole and never separate or alone. This has supported me to embrace uncertainty in my life and feel excited by the possibilities that emerge when I let go of trying to figure things out alone in my head.”

Living life as a dynamic, engaged spiritual practice, 24/7

Most people’s spiritual longings are scarcely fulfilled by a half-hour-a-day meditation practice, and we wonder how to live spiritually when life’s demands don’t allow for extended retreats and pilgrimages. Traditional paths and practices are reaching their limitations, having been created for life in an ancient world that has little in common with today’s environment.  That’s where evolutionary spirituality has an advantage–it’s relevant to the complexities and challenges of modern life and focuses on evolving human nature in action.

Participants report that when they align their “inner compass” with the impulse of evolution, conscious living becomes the practice and turns everyday life into a spiritual experience, 24/7. They say it changes how they relate to their experiences, circumstances, and other people, and brings more meaning and purpose to daily life. Participants find that this practical, grounded spirituality has a far greater impact on their lives than “separate” practices—and allows them to have more of an impact in the world.

Mary Triller of Westlake, OH, told us, “This work provides everything needed for complete integration between contemplative spiritual practice and purpose-filled action in the world. I now have a map in hand and heart showing the way for every moment of my life to be meaningful and aligned with a higher calling.”

Acting on “the right thing”—even when they don’t feel like it

Aligned with the impulse of evolution, the “bondage” between your feelings and your actions dissolves. Our course graduates cite as one of their most impactful and refreshing course awakenings this radical realization that they no longer need to be puppets of their feelings.

Instead of being thrown off by strong feelings, they have found the “north star” to lead from their highest intentions consistently. And instead of waiting for spiritually enlightened feelings to move them, they move. They report better choices and decisions, steadfast commitments, and a life of integrity and presence. We hear from many of our participants that this discovery of emotional freedom is one of the most liberating and powerful benefits they treasure—and that it emerges in just nine weeks.

Lucy Flood from Boulder, CO, wrote to us, “Before Craig’s courses, I had no idea how much my feelings ruled my life. If I was feeling good, that was a good day. If I felt bad, that was a bad day. When I was feeling bad, I allowed that to prevent me from doing the right things; I indulged in addictive behaviors, didn’t speak completely honestly, didn’t take risks I needed to take in my work life or relationships. Because I didn’t like the uncomfortable feeling of letting others down, I constantly put their desires in front of my own desires for an authentic life.”

“Craig taught me how to lovingly accept my feelings while also maintaining the freedom to do what needs to be done. In the last year, I have managed to finish a seven-year book project, step out of an unhealthy relationship into the healthiest relationship of my life, enter the most rewarding work relationships, and move to a city that beautifully fits my spiritual, work, recreational and relationship aspirations. I have a life that would have been completely unimaginable to my former self. This life became possible through realizing that some emotional discomfort is simply part of creating a better, truly wholesome life.”

Facing humanity’s biggest challenges with resilience, perspective and genuine optimism

Evolutionaries often feel passionate about serving and improving the world. But we can also feel daunted by the scope of massive global problems, and institutions that seem omnipotent. It can feel overwhelming and paralyzing to care deeply about our planet given the challenges we face today.

Thankfully, the context of evolution provides genuine hope for change. Our graduates express gratitude for the evolutionary worldview that helped them understand and navigate problems and challenges more accurately. They share that this perspective banishes cynicism—because they realize that everything can and will change.

And because we’re tapped into the limitless, positive and unstoppable momentum of the cosmos itself, we don’t feel “too small” to make a difference.

Another profound realization that participants are passionate about is the awareness that by developing ourselves, we are “being the change” and doing perhaps the most important work of all:  contributing to a cultural shift that may ultimately instigate more improvement than tackling any one issue on its own. This, they say, gives everyday life extraordinary meaning and purpose, and removes the sense of helplessness about “what to do” that plagues many people who yearn to effect change.

Eileen DeVerteuil from Victoria, BC, wrote, “Prior to taking Craig’s course, I had a persistent yearning to be more actively involved in effecting positive change in my workplace, my community, and my personal life. But typically I held back, feeling limited by what I perceived as restrictions of my personality type, or a lack of support–even an undercurrent of doubt that change was possible. The shift that has resulted through the Integral Enlightenment teachings has been transformative! I now recognize where I have allowed unconscious habits and egoic patterns to keep me ‘small’ and ineffective. Through the practices, I have been guided and inspired to step into a more active, engaged role in work and life. From this shifted perspective I now enthusiastically partner with other caring and creative people to help bring about a future of profound potential.”

The ego is no longer in charge

It’s no secret that the ego is a major obstacle for any of us who are attempting to live a conscious, awakened life. Although humankind has evolved remarkably in some respects, we remain in many ways driven by ancient, outmoded instincts and impulses that long ago ceased to be appropriate or necessary. When these unproductive habits and instincts run the show unconsciously, nothing really works the way we sense it could—not in our lives or in the world. And yet, many spiritual and psychological approaches encourage us to give up the idea that this could ever truly change.

But our participants report that this course teaches them to effectively de-fuse the ego and its undermining strategies, with a path beyond that’s simpler and more direct than most of us can imagine. And the ability to do so opens up whole new vistas of possibility–in work, family, relationships, and life purpose–because the part of the self that’s unbounded by the ego’s constraints begins to lead the way and allow something much more accurate, effective and limitless to come through us.

Jeff Sullivan of Manchester, NH, wrote, “I’d always worked hard to improve my life but was frustrated with the mixed results I got from therapy and other spiritual approaches. Within the first few weeks of Craig’s course I began relating to my life in a whole new way. Others commented on how I seemed different. When I visited the therapist I had been seeing for over a year because I felt so stuck and depressed, she was so impressed by what she saw and heard that she fired me!  It’s been two years and I haven’t seen her since.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a telecourse?

Telecourses are offered via the telephone and online. Participants gather together from all over the world in an online learning community guided by Integral Enlightenment founder Craig Hamilton. As with any other class, there are lectures, discussions, and live interactions between the instructor and participants. Between sessions, participants are also invited to post reflections on a special online discussion board and to interact with other participants.

When does the course begin?
Pre-Course Orientation will be held on Monday July 8, 2013 and our first Course Session will take place on Wednesday, July 10.

What if I miss a class or am unable to attend a course session live?

All of the telecourse recordings are available by phone, through online playback or by download to your audio player. Many people who take the course are unable to attend the live calls, and judging by what they report, their experiences are just as powerful as those of live attendees. You may also post your questions for Craig to answer on the live calls—you’ll feel very much a part of our community and enjoy the camaraderie of sharing the journey with other participants.

Do I need any special equipment?

The only equipment you’ll need is either a telephone or a computer with an Internet connection. If you choose to participate by phone, depending on your telephone service, you may also incur some long-distance charges for the calls themselves.

About Craig Hamilton

Integral Enlightenment founder Craig Hamilton is a pioneer in the emerging field of evolutionary spirituality. In his inspired writings, talks, and teachings, he calls us to awaken beyond the confines of the separate ego and dedicate our lives to the further evolution of culture and consciousness itself.  Craig’s work articulates the vital relationship between individual and collective evolution, and provides practical spiritual training and tools to facilitate it.

As the guiding force behind Integral Enlightenment, Craig offers guidance and teachings to a growing international community of thousands of students in nearly 50 countries around the world. Through his online Academy for Evolutionaries, he teaches a series of experiential virtual courses leading participants through a process of awakening into an “evolutionary relationship to life.”  This educational and transformational process supports people in evolving individually and collectively, developing and optimizing themselves to make their highest contribution.

Craig’s work at Integral Enlightenment integrates decades of intensive spiritual practice and inquiry with insights gleaned during his eight years as Senior Editor of the award-winning What Is Enlightenment? magazine. For 13 years, he participated in the dynamic living “laboratory of evolution” known as EnlightenNext, under the direct guidance of its founder, Andrew Cohen–ultimately playing a key role in the leadership of this thriving international spiritual community.

Craig is a founding member of Ken Wilber’s Integral Institute and a member of Deepak Chopra’s Evolutionary Leaders Forum, and was a participant in the Synthesis Dialogues, a 35-person interdisciplinary think tank presided over by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His celebrated conversations with other luminaries form the basis of the acclaimed webinar series “The Great Integral Awakening: Pioneering A New Spiritual Path,” and “Awakening the Impulse to Evolve: The Birth of Evolutionary Spirituality.” He has also been a contributor to Shift magazine and co-authored IONS’ 2008 Shift Report. Craig lives with his wife, Claire, in Fairfax, California.

Praise for Craig’s work

What You’ll Receive:

Special Guest Faculty Workshops

In addition to your weekly Course Sessions with Craig, you’ll also receive exclusive course resources and tools, including special Guest Faculty Audio Workshops with Ken Wilber and Barbara Marx Hubbard. These pre-recorded workshop sessions will help to deepen and broaden your experience of the course material.

Are you ready to evolve beyond the past and harness the power to generate the future?

Imagine your life infused with creativity, depth, energy and resilience.

Imagine showing up for each present moment ready and able to respond with wisdom and clarity, trusting that the faculties you need will be available—unobstructed by old conditioning, habits and filters.

Imagine the new paradigms of leadership, relationship, collaboration, and more that would emerge when you embody these capacities. Imagine a world in which more of us, even all of us, evolved to express these potentials—a world in which we naturally did so.

Imagine knowing that you are an integral part of that evolution.

When you are able to cultivate these very real capabilities, you’ll find that your deepest hopes and ambitions for a better self and a better world weren’t a pipe dream after all. You learn that we can evolve what it is to be human—not modestly, but radically—in a way that not only better serves our work, families and lives, but fulfills on the highest promise of humanity’s potential.

This course is the ultimate training ground for developing the capacities we need to become empowered, effective agents of evolution and change in the world. If you’re serious about your spiritual path, and the contribution you want to make in this life, this program is the catalytic support that can optimize you for the journey in a way you’ve never known.

Let one of the world’s most visionary teachers illuminate the principles and practices of this time-tested, original spiritual path, and guide you through a step-by-step process to activate your evolutionary self and consistently live as a liberated expression of it.