The Feeling Of 'IAMness'

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The Integral Vision of Ken Wilber Thoughts from Quranic and Sufi Mystic Perspective

1.Those who know Ken Wilber and aware of his writings, thoughts will definitely admit that he is one of the most profound thinker, philosopher and a prophet like visionary figure of our contemporary time.

Although Ken Wilber in his writings hardly speaks about Sufi tradition, the point from where he is coming from, the path he is taking on and the station where he is reaching has profound link with Sufi Mysticism or Islamic Mysticism and that can be validated by passages of the Quran and the gnostic sayings of Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace.

I was reading the 'Integral Vision' by Ken Wilber, the book which just came out (2007, Shambhala). Now this relation, shared truth is interesting and at the same time important because the goal is to point or arrive at the aspects of truth through an integral vision. And Sufi tradition, which is an alive, thriving and much modern up-to-date tradition can be brought to share its wisdom – that"s holds a lot of significance as far as integral vision is concerned.

I was reading an exercise on self-awareness at the end of the book and could easily connect that to Sufi path. Without going into lengthy explanation, I quote some important part from that meditative exercise and in italic giving hints from Sufi mysticism or Islamic esoteric tradition. Section 3 and 4 are also follow up thoughts on the integral vision.

2.Following is the quotation from Ken Wilber"s book, The Integral Visions. The italic version are the passages and saying of Prophet inserted in Inspirations and Creative Thoughts for rationalizing from Sufi point of view. Notice your present awareness.

Notice the objects arising in your awareness – the images and thoughts arising in your mind, the feelings and sensations arising in your body, the myriad objects arising around you in the room or environment. All of these are objects arising in your awareness.

What was present 5 minutes ago
Now think about what was in your awareness 5 minutes ago. Most of the thoughts have changed, most of the bodily sensations have changed … but something has not changed. Something in you is the same as now as it was 5 minutes ago. What is present now that was present 5 minutes ago?

'I AMness'. The feeling-awareness of 'I AMness' is still present. I am that ever-present 'I AMness'. That 'I AMness' is present now, it was present a moment ago … it was present 5 minutes ago. What was present 5 hours ago?

'I AMness'. That sense of 'I AMness' is an ongoing self-knowing, self-recognizing, self-validating 'I AMness'.

What was present 5 years ago?
'I AMness'. So many objects have come and gone, so many feelings have come and gone, so many thoughts have come and gone … But one thing has not come, and one thing has not gone. … This timeless, ever-present feeling of 'I AMness' is present now as it was 5 years ago.