Human Beings are incredibly dynamic and complex creatures.

We are each a unique expression of Life. As an expression of Life, we have numerous common dimensions in our make-up and each dimension is essential or integral to the whole. For example, each and every human being has a physical, sensory, emotional, mental, existential, spiritual, relational and cultural dimension. Any of these dimensions may be ignored or denied, but it will continue to exist in an unconscious and/or neglected manner.

If any dimension is ignored, or otherwise neglected, suffering and ‘dis-ease’ is generally the result.

If we experience physical suffering or discomfort in the form of symptoms, we are generally advised to have it looked at. We don’t ignore or neglect; we give care and attention.

When we bring that same care and attention to all of our dimensions of Life, we can re-own and reintegrate various neglected dimensions of Life, using the power of Awakened Attention and the use of skillful means, or practice. Practice in the sense we are using it here, means to give attention to, exercise, utilize, engage, or otherwise care for.

There is some truth to the saying, use it or lose it. Many of our human capacities simply wither, erode and atrophy when they are not utilized.

There are literally thousands of practices designed to engage the process of one’s own development. There are a myriad of ways to exercise the many dimensions of our human capability, assisting our unfolding in body, heart, mind and beyond. There are multitudes of Upaya or, skillful means, from nutritional and dietary methods, to physical exercises and body-centered therapies; from schools of psychology and philosophy, to religious and spiritual traditions of the world. From gender studies, to cultural and social sciences, to the transformative technologies of ancient and modern times. In this Information Age, we now have access to an enormous wealth of theories and practices for transforming our understanding of, and our relationship to, ourselves, society and the world we inhabit.

The central idea of Integral Practice is simple: the simultaneous healing and development of the many aspects and capacities of our unique body/mind, in its individual and social forms. This Integral Practice is designed to create a context within which long-term growth and development may be sustained and flourish for much of a lifetime. This means that by engaging many of our human dimensions concurrently, we create an overall effect that reverberates to our very core. Although it is impossible to predict the exact benefits of an Integral Practice, here is a list of some generally agreed upon
potential results of long term consistent practice:

- Your eating and sleeping patterns may improve.
- You may discover how to relax in the midst of stress.
- You might find your health improves in dramatic ways.
- Your anxiety and tension might dissipate and a sense of overall physical well-being may emerge.
- Your emotions may become more stabile and fluid.
- You may find yourself less reactive, maybe even noticing a sense of detachment and humor.
- You might become less impulsive and compulsive, instead, noticing a new found satisfaction.
- Your relationship skills may improve dramatically and forgiveness, loving kindness and compassion could emerge.
- You may notice a sense of underlying contentment, while sitting smack dab in the midst of your messy life.
- New capacities that are unconditioned may arise, such as gratitude, or even joy.
- You may discover new found purpose and passion.
- Your life might become imbued with deep meaning, while you are living with poise, equanimity and maturity.

Who knows, you may discover who you truly are, beyond name, flesh and time. The truest you.

There are reasons why Integral Practices are considered integral. First, they address and exercise a core human dimension. This means they can affect you dramatically. Second, they each have an effect on the multi-dimensional body/mind that reverberates through to other dimensions. When these practices are performed in combination, they tend to have a synergistic effect.

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