Ken Wilber's Spectrum Model

Identifying Alternative Soteriological Perspectives

Datos Bibliográficos

ID4372599
AutoresLeon Schlamm (University of Kent, autor de correspondencia)
Año2001
Volumen31
Número1
Páginas19-39
Fecha de publicación2001-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaReligion (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0048-721X • E-ISSN: 1096-1151
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1006/reli.2000.0306
OpenAlexW2067970041
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas14

I identify two problematic strands of Ken Wilber's transpersonal theory. First, I question Wilber's claim that his spectrum model is supported by the materials of all the world's major mystical traditions. I argue that his integral, hierarchical perspective privileges some traditions but distorts others. Drawing heavily upon Andrew Rawlinson's recent, taxonomic study of mystical traditions, which identifies four authentic routes to spiritual emancipation (Cool Structured, Cool Unstructred, Hot Structured and Hot Unstructured), I argue that while Wilber's model, itself Cool (the source of spiritual liberation lies within oneself) and Structured (developmental, hierarchical), provides a valuable cartography of transpersonal structures and states of consciousness, it cannot adequately handle the materials of the alternative, soteriological paths of Hot traditions (emphasising the numinous, and as other than oneself) and of Unstructured traditions (affirming that there can be no gradual, or progressive, spiritual development at all). Second, and more cursorily, I argue that it is Wilber's Cool Structured perspective that informs his categorisation of Jung as an elevationist. I try to demonstrate that Jung's psychic model of the conjunction of opposites is a Hot Structured one, which provides an alternative, soteriological path for persons whose spiritual needs are different from those addressed by Wilber

Art · Consciousness · Epistemology · Mysticism · Numinous · Perspective (graphical) · Psychoanalysis · Religious experience · Spiritual practice · Spirituality · Theology · Transpersonal · Jungian Analytical Psychology · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Philosophy · Psychology · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices