BORDERS, BORDERLANDS, AND INTEGRAL WORLDVIEW

Borders

I was born in the city of Slavonski Brod situated on the border between Croatia and Bosnia, a place that symbolized the intersection of cultures and histories. Growing up in Bosnia, I resided in a border city Foča that separated Bosnia and Serbia. Eventually, I relocated to the city of Pančevo nestled on the border between the northern province of Serbia named Vojvodina and Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and the former Yugoslavia. My professional journey took me to another border, this time between Yugoslavia and Romania. It was there that I started my first job in the city of Vršac, becoming aware of the diverse traditions and perspectives of these neighboring countries.

When I emigrated to the United States, I settled in the city of Fargo positioned on the border between North Dakota and Minnesota. As time went on, I felt a pull towards the eastern coast of the United States, where I found myself living in the city of Providence which bordered the states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Borders serve as a construct that allows humans to make sense of the world by establishing boundaries and creating distinct categories. It enables us to organize information, comprehend complex ideas, and navigate our surroundings. However, it is important to recognize that these divisions are subjective and human-made, rather than inherent or absolute. They are shaped by societal, cultural, and historical influences.

Now, I am a resident of a small town in the northern part of Arizona, called Cottonwood. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes and a close-knit community, I am aware that this is the first time I am living away from a physical border. It feels symbolic, signifying my growing desire to support and nurture unity in all aspects of life. This desire stands in opposition to divisions in various areas of human life, aligning with the mind's tendency to 'divide and conquer' rather than 'integrate and prosper.'

Integration

The idea of integration can be traced back to ancient philosophical and spiritual teachings, where the importance of harmony, balance, and unity were emphasized as pathways to success and well-being. In modern times, Daniel Siegel advocated the concept of integration and its importance in mental health (1).

Integration is driven by a combination of positive feelings, awareness of the present moment, and the ability to understand and change the internal world. Positive feelings make us feel alive and connected to ourselves and other people. They help us build relationships and attract others to us. Feelings like happiness, love, and gratitude have an impact on our well-being and make us resilient and healthier. Love, in particular, is very powerful acting as a great equalizer and dissolver of fear, anger, selfishness, and elitism. When we feel positive, our body is in a balanced state and our relationships are meaningful, caring, and characterized by harmonized communication. When we practice being mindful, we develop a positive mindset, openness to new possibilities, curiosity, and receptiveness to new experiences. By being aware of the subtle dynamics within us and in our interactions with others, we gain insight into how to optimize the integration of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Borderland

My experiences living in various border regions have taught me that borders are not merely geographic divides, but also opportunities for connections, understanding, and solidarity. Through my own story of navigating borders and transcending boundaries, I have come to appreciate the significance of the borderland. In the metaphorical sense, the borderland represents a virtual space that exists between artificially separated categories.

The borderland is a conceptual territory where ideas, identities, and experiences overlap and intermingle. It is a dynamic zone where hybridity, ambiguity, and diversity flourish. By accepting the existence of the borderland, we recognize the limitations and artificiality of the boundaries we impose. Rather than perceiving the world as a rigid and divided structure, we become aware of the fluid nature of reality. This understanding creates opportunities for dialogue, empathy, and the exploration of new perspectives.

Moreover, it makes us question why borders are created. While they can have practical uses like maintaining order and security, they can also be used to keep certain people out or to discriminate against them. By thinking critically about the borders we make, we can challenge unfair systems and work towards inclusivity and fairness.

Ultimately, the concept of the borderland invites us to embrace the complexity and interconnectedness of our world. It urges us to transcend the limitations of rigid categories and engage in a more nuanced understanding of our shared humanity.

Blurring of Boundaries

In the realm of the borderland, the boundaries between the natural and supernatural become porous, allowing for an exploration of phenomena that extends beyond the limits of our current understanding. It is a domain where the enigmatic aspects of existence coexist with the rigor of scientific inquiry, inviting us to expand our intellectual horizons and question the established paradigms.

Similarly, the borderland in the intersection of physics and metaphysics seeks an understanding of the fundamental nature of reality. Here, we can explore the mysteries that lie at the heart of the cosmos and ponder the questions with creativity and curiosity, imagination and freedom.

The borderland also invites contemplation on the interplay between life and death. It challenges us to transcend our conventional notions of mortality and study the eternal cycles that underpin our existence. In this space, we may grapple with the role of consciousness, the nature of the soul, and the potential for existence beyond the physical realm. It represents the transitional phase between life and whatever lies beyond. The borderland in this context is associated with near-death experiences, deathbed visions, and mystical encounters.

The borderland serves as a ground for the integration of science and spirituality. It recognizes that these two domains, often perceived as opposing forces, are complementary aspects of the human quest for understanding. It calls for an approach that appreciates the insights gained from rigorous scientific exploration while honoring the wisdom found in spiritual and contemplative traditions. It invokes a holistic and interconnected perspective.

With the notion of the borderland, we uncover a wealth of connections and interdependencies that exist. The borderland acts as a threshold, a liminal space where conventional boundaries blur and new possibilities emerge. It begs us to investigate the space between the tangible and the intangible, the observable and the elusive, the empirical and the transcendent.

Integral Worldview

The way I see things is a way of thinking that finds harmony by merging ideas from different angles. Instead of seeing things as mutually exclusive, the integral worldview, which I embrace, allows for different viewpoints to coexist. It recognizes that they can all fit together in a bigger picture, promoting a mindset of "both-and" instead of "either-or". In this way, we feel a strong connection to nature and understand that there's a larger consciousness or "Spirit" at work.

Within the integral worldview, universal and existential concerns occupy a central position. Questions related to the essence of life and death, self-actualization, global awareness, and how we can contribute to society, or even the broader concept of "life" itself, hold great significance. It realizes that individual growth, the wellness of society, and the health of our environment are interconnected. It encourages us to go beyond just thinking about ourselves and take responsibility for the unity of all phenomena.

Four Ways of Knowing

The integral worldview is a way of looking at the world that values the different ways people see and interact with reality. It believes that to fully understand the world, we need to consider four important ways of knowing: how we personally experience things, what we can observe and measure, how our relationships and communities shape us, and how everything is connected and influences each other.

The subjective perspective is about our personal experiences and thoughts. It understands that each person has their own unique way of thinking and feeling, which affects how they see the world. Subjectivity highlights the importance of introspection, self-reflection, and personal growth in gaining insights and expanding our awareness.

The objective perspective, on the other hand, focuses on the outside world and relies on evidence and facts. It seeks to understand reality by observing, measuring, and analyzing things. It explores the natural world, the laws that govern it, and the quest for the truth through careful investigation and experiments.

The communal perspective looks at how our social and cultural surroundings shape our knowing. It recognizes the importance of our communities, shared values, and relationships in creating meaning. It treasures cooperation and the connections we have with others, nurturing a sense of belonging.

The systemic perspective sees everything as part of a larger interconnected system. It motivates us to examine the complex web of interactions, feedback loops, and emergent properties that shape our world, encompassing ecological, social, and global systems.

The integral worldview holds that all four perspectives are valid and necessary for an understanding of reality. By considering them all, individuals and societies can move beyond narrow views and instead cultivate a more inclusive, multidimensional awareness.

When thinking about death all four perspectives are important to take into account. The subjective perspective explores personal experiences and emotions surrounding death. This includes examining one's own fears, beliefs, and attitudes toward death, as well as reflecting on personal encounters with death and the impact it has had on one's life. The objective perspective focuses on empirical facts and a scientific understanding of death. This could involve exploring biological, physiological, and psychological aspects of death, as well as studying the processes of dying and the physical manifestations associated with it. The communal perspective recognizes that death is a shared human experience and that rituals, beliefs, and social norms surrounding death vary across cultures and have a significant impact on individuals and communities. The systemic perspective takes a broader view and considers the interconnectedness of life and death within larger systems and cycles. It explores existential and philosophical questions about the nature of life, death, and the universe.

Final Word

Embracing the richness of the borderland, the integral worldview provides a holistic lens through which to explore the mysteries of existence. By acknowledging the interconnectedness of different perspectives and ways of knowing, we can cultivate a more nuanced understanding of our world and ourselves. This integrative approach transcends rigid boundaries, bridging the realms of science and spirituality, subjective experiences and objective observations, personal growth and communal well-being, and the elaborate systems that shape our lives.

When we contemplate death, we are confronted with the fragility and impermanence of our own existence. It forces us to confront our mortality and consider the meaning and purpose of life. The integral worldview invites us to immerse ourselves in existential questions, urging us to approach them with curiosity and an open heart.

At its core, the integral worldview recognizes that death is a universal experience that all living beings share. It reminds us that we are all connected, not just in life, but also in death. This understanding can lead to a sense of unity and empathy towards others as we navigate the complexities of existence.

1. Pocket Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology: An Integrative Handbook of the Mind, by Daniel J. Siegel, W. W. Norton & Company, 2012