Integral Spirituality Nexus
ISN is a place where all people practicing Integral Spirituality in its many "flavors" can come together. This is a non-ecclesiastic spiritual society affiliated with the Order of Universal I(nterfaith-nterspirituality-ntegral) or OUnI, and its diverse list of spiritual communities.
ISN is the hub of an evolving discussion of "Integral Chaplaincy"
WHAT IS INTEGRAL?
Integral points to wholeness. The integral intention is to celebrate the profound richness of any faith tradition as it explores
• The core aspects of the divine:
The divine as Self (as revealed by contemplation)
The divine a Other (as revealed in relationship)
The divine as It (as revealed by science)
• The evolutionary path of each individual, every culture, and all societies.
• The complexity inherent in each person; the interweaving of the great myths that contextualize our lives; and the overlapping structures that shape our economies, politics and technologies.
• The tastes of Mystery that call us forward
• And the fundamental differences inherent in our biology.
WHAT IS A NEXUS?
nex·us /ˈnɛksəs/ [nek-suhs] –noun, plural nex·us·es, nex·us.
Consider the implications of the definitions of "nexus" to the evolving community of Integral spirituality.
Come here to ask questions, meet others looking for belonging when outgrown religious paths no longer fulfill our core need to make sense of reality, or when a random choice of spiritual practices calls us to seek out a framework that is able to crystalize the 'intercellular communication" of the deepest of all spiritual practices.
INTEGRAL ORDINATION
On September 21, 2011, in Sedona, Arizona USA, Rev. Lynne Feldman ISN, the founding administrator of ISN, was ordained in a ceremony that conferred upon her the stature of Integral MinisterTM .
Ordination is one of the oversight functions of the ecclesiastic Order of Universal Interfaith (OUnI) and is available from the Order with proper education, training and ISN endorsement. OUnI is in dialogue with potential partners to administer the Integral MinisterTM stature in an emerging alliance of integral bodies called the "Alliance Supporting Integral Spirituality," or "AS-IS." The other ecclesiastic bodies include the integral community of the Suquamish (Washington State) UCC Church and several other integral communities around the United States.
INTEGRAL LEADERSHIP
The current administrator of the ISN is Rev. Tom Thresher Ph.D., author of the book, " "Reverent Irreverence: Integral Church for the 21st Century From Cradle to Christ Consciousness," and articles on the evolving church in the United States (Progressive Churches and Transformational Inquiry). Rev. Thresher delivered a one-hour audo seminar to the members of OUnI on his work with his congregation. The session is available for download. ISN is also honored to have the services of its founder, Rev. Lynne Feldman ISN, while she is on leave as she authors her future book on Integral healing based on her own life story.
INTEGRAL CAMPUS MINISTRY
ISN is now spreading as organized campus ministry with the first program evolving at Rutgers University in New Jersey. It has a growing interest on other other campuses worldwide. Within its first week of existence (Fall 2012), Rutgers ISN had 60 students sign up for its services. Students are gravitating to the intellectual and spiritual stimulation that Integral Spirituality offers. On October 23, 2013, Aleta Shepler, lay organizer of Rutgers ISN was endorsed by the board of directors of OUnI for ordination as an Integral MinisterTM with the support of the current members of the AS-IS alliance.