Consciousness-in-Action

Toward an Integral Psychology of Liberation & Transformation

When attempting to engage the wide range of social, environmental and psychological issues of our time, people have tended to adopt a particular orientation towards what they believe are the determining factors and possible solutions to such problems. And often, these problem-solving orientations (worldviews) are based on specific individual and group developments and personal experience.

For example, many change-agents intently work for community empowerment, social and economic justice, and institutional change, while others focus their attention more on personal growth, loving relationships, and spiritual development. Some believe change happens from the inside out; others are convinced we will be happier only when external life conditions improve and justice prevails for all. And all of us, undoubtedly, aspire to a better life and a better world.

Alternatively, in his writings and public talks around the world, Raúl Quiñones-Rosado inspires and educates potential change-agents to take a deeper and more integral perspective on the issues by introducing a set of key concepts and principles he calls "consciousness-in-action”.

In his book, Consciousness-in-Action: Toward and Integral Psychology of Liberation & Transformation (2007), Raúl Quiñones-Rosado outlines this unique approach to personal change and social transformation. By exploring implications for helping professionals, educators, community organizers, activists and others committed to social change, Consciousness-in-Action offers an integral-pragmatic view of well-being and development in the context of institutional and internalized oppression.

Here is the offical description from the website:

Consciousness-in-Action describes an approach to personal and social change in the context of oppression — society’s major hindrance to well-being and development. Drawing from psychology, sociology, social and integral theories, and over thirty years of contemplative practice and work in communities-of-struggle, this book proposes an integral framework for human well-being and development, a psychosocial analysis of the impact of identity-based power, and a liberatory-transformative praxis for transcending internalized superiority and inferiority rooted in racism, sexism, Eurocentrism, classism, and other forms of institutional oppression.

Consciousness-in-Action offers an alternative to prevailing dichotomous thinking and fragmented approaches aimed at personal or societal change which lack a larger, integral view of the whole and its dynamic nature. In so doing, the book emphasizes the impact of multiple, simultaneous oppressions on the integral development of persons, communities and societies, while it also asserts the vital role of social group identity development and other psycho-spiritual developmental processes on the path to liberation and transformation.

Learn More about this Innovative Approach: Here

[ Also: Read Bonnitta Roy’s review of the book in the latest issue of the Integral Review: Here ]

And be sure to attend one of Raul's upcoming public presentations: 2008 Association for the Advancement of Psychosynthesis Conference, Vermont College/Union Institute & University, Brattleboro, VT, June 27-29; & the 1st Integral Theory Conference, JFK University, Pleasant Hill, CA, Aug 7-10.