Ken, since you asked, I’m telling you. I love the idea of coming back to a life of hair but dude, grow your own. Whatever shows up shows up. I am WAY more interested and supportive of seeing you as an actual 71 year old man with whatever male patterned baldness you got. As a friend I say ditch the rug.
I can’t help but notice that the wig seems to take on a feminine appearance as does the sweater. I would be curious to know if Ken is also experimenting with gender appearance as well. No judgement, just curious if that is also part of what he is trying out.
This conversation reminded me of this poem: "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me, And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired, And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells, And run my stick along the public railings, And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain And pick the flowers in other people's gardens, And learn to spit. You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat, And eat three pounds of sausages at a go, Or only bread and pickle for a week, And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats and things in boxes. But now we must have clothes that keep us dry, And pay our rent and not swear in the street, And set a good example for the children. We will have friends to dinner and read the papers. But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised, When suddenly I am old and start to wear purple!" - Jenny Joseph
3:35 the average age was 22 because childhood mortality was very high. once you were in your teens you actually had a high chance of getting to what we consider even nowadays "old age"
Indeed, Ken seems a bit misinformed. In all the footage and photos of today’s remaining hunter gatherer societies you will see members who are obviously well past their twenties in age, and these are people with diets and lifestyles similar to what we would have found hundreds of thousands of years ago.
You life could be sourced from an irreducible crack in the proto-reality and another crack of the same un-pleasantness occured and therefore all this modernity and drugs and forced-ness that was unexplainable.
The absurdity of life/existence simply was projected into a mundane-ness and the constant base of this projection-change would be the common fissure-ness of these
I love this beautiful curious soul! Thank you for sharing this. Please, tell Ken that he looks fabulous! I would love him in any form even if he decided to grow extra limbs or turned completely green or maroon. I wish he stays healthy to enjoy whatever his playful spirit decides to go for!
02. A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF “LIFE”: Everything, both perceptible and imperceptible - that is, any gross or subtle OBJECT within the material universe which can ever be perceived with the cognitive faculties, plus the SUBJECT (the observer of all phenomena) - is to what most persons generally refer when they use the term “God”, since they usually conceive of the Primeval Creator as being the Perfect Person, and “God” (capitalized) is a personal epithet of the Unconditioned Absolute. However, this anthropomorphized conception of The Absolute is a fictional character of divers mythologies. According to most every enlightened sage in the history of this planet, the Ultimate Reality is, far more logically, Impersonal Absolute NOTHINGNESS (otherwise called “The Tao”, “The Great Spirit”, “Brahman”, “Pure Consciousness”, “Eternal Awareness”, “Independent Existence”, “The Ground of All Being”, “Uncaused Nature”, “The Undifferentiated Substratum of Reality”, “The Unified Field”, et cetera). In other words, rather than the Supreme Truth being a separate Blissful, Supra-Conscious Being (The Godhead Himself or The Goddess), Ultimate Reality is Eternal-Existence Limitless-Awareness Unconditional-Peace ITSELF. Because the Unmanifested Absolute is infinite creative potentiality, “it” actualizes as EVERYTHING, in the form of temporary, cyclical universes. In the case of our particular universe, we reside in a cosmos consisting of space-time, matter and energy, without, of course, neglecting the most fundamental dimension of existence (i.e. conscious awareness - although, “it” is, being the subject, by literal definition, non-existent). Just as a knife cannot cut itself, nor the mind comprehend itself, nor the eyes see themselves, The Absolute cannot know Itself (or at least objectively EXPERIENCE Itself), and so, has manifested this phenomenal universe within Itself for the purpose of experiencing Itself, particularly through the lives of self-aware beings, such as we sophisticated humans. Therefore, this world of duality is really just a play of consciousness within Consciousness, in the same way that a dream is a person's sleeping narrative set within the life-story of an 'awakened' individual. APPARENTLY, this phenomenal universe was created with the primal act (the so-called “Big Bang”), which started, supposedly, as a minute, slightly uneven ball of light, which in turn, was instigated, ultimately, by Extra-Temporal Supra-Consciousness. From that first deed, every motion or action that has ever occurred has been a direct (though, almost exclusively, an indirect) result of it. Just as all the extant energy in the universe was once contained within the inchoate singularity, Infinite Consciousness was NECESSARILY present at the beginning of the universe, and is in no way an epiphenomenon of a neural network. Discrete consciousness, on the other hand, is entirely dependent on the neurological faculty of individual animals (the more highly-evolved the species, the greater its cognitive abilities). “Sarvam khalvidam brahma” (a Sanskrit maxim from the “Chandogya Upanishad”, meaning ‘all this is indeed Brahman’ or ‘everything is the Universal Self alone’). There is NAUGHT but Eternal Being, Conscious Awareness, Causeless Peace - and you are, quintessentially, that! This “Theory of Everything” can be more succinctly expressed by the mathematical equation: E=A͚ (Everything equates to Infinite Awareness). HUMANS are essentially this Eternally-Aware-Peace, acting through an extraordinarily-complex biological organism, comprised of the eight rudimentary elements - pseudo-ego (the assumed sense of self), intellect, mind, solids, liquids, gases, heat (fire), and ether (three-dimensional space). When one peers into a mirror, one doesn’t normally mistake the reflected image to be one’s real self, yet that is how we humans conventionally view our ever-mutating forms. We are, rather, in a fundamental sense, that which witnesses all transitory appearances. Everything which can be presently perceived, both tangible and immaterial, including we human beings, is a culmination of that primary manifestation. That is the most accurate and rational explanation for “karma” - everything was preordained from the initial spark, and every action since has unfolded as it was predestined in ETERNITY, via an ever-forward-moving trajectory. The notion of retributive (“tit for tat”) karma is just that - an unverified belief. Likewise, the notion of a distinct, reincarnating “soul” or “spirit” is largely a fallacious belief. Whatever state in which we currently find ourselves, is the result of two factors - our genetic make-up at conception and our present-life conditioning (which may include mutating genetic code). Every choice ever made by every human and non-human animal was determined by those two factors ALONE. Therefore, free-will is purely illusory, despite what most believe. As a consequence of residing within this dualistic universe, we experience a lifelong series of fluctuating, transient pleasures and pains, which can take the form of physical, emotional, and/or financial pleasure or pain. Surprisingly to most, suffering and pain are NOT synonymous. Suffering is due to a false sense of personal 'doership' - the belief that one is a separate, independent author of one’s thoughts, emotions, and deeds, and that, likewise, other persons are autonomous agents, with complete volition to act, think, and feel as they wish. Another way of stating the same concept is: suffering is due to the intellect being unwilling or unable to accept life as it manifests moment by moment. There are five SYMPTOMS of suffering, all of which are psychological in nature: 1. Guilt 2. Blame 3. Pride 4. Anxiety 5. Regrets about the past and expectations for the future These types of suffering are the result of not properly understanding what was explained above - that life is a series of happenings and NOT caused by the individual living beings. No living creature, including Homo sapiens, has personal free-will. There is only the Universal, Divine Will at play, acting through every body, to which William Shakespeare famously alluded when he scribed “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” The human organism is essentially a biopsychological machine, comprised of the five gross material elements and the three subtle material elements, listed above. The ANTIDOTE to all mental anguish is to firstly discern pain from suffering, then to achieve complete relief from that miserable state of existence, by abandoning the erroneous belief in personal authorship, and abiding in the primordial sense of being (the unqualified “I am”, which is one's core identity). This is the very same peace which is experienced each night during the dreamless phase of the sleep cycle. This 'resting imperturbably as Flawless Awareness' can be practiced on a regular basis, until it is fully assimilated and integrated into one's life. Every person, from time immemorial, has been either intentionally or unwittingly seeking such causeless peace, most commonly by practicing one of the four systems of YOGA (religion) delineated in the sixteenth chapter of this work, or else in creating wealth and the acquisition of material possessions, or in psycho-physical pleasures. That peace of mind is often referred to as “happiness”, “joy”, or “love”, and often presumed to be a temporal state, since many assume, incorrectly, that continuous peace is unavailable in this life. Fortunately, that is not the case - it is eminently possible to live one's life acquainted with unbroken peace of mind, if destined. Following DHARMA (frameworks of authentic religion and societal duties) is not guaranteed to achieve that desired tranquillity of mind, but even so, it is beneficial for individuals, since it establishes a structure which enables one to more easily elevate oneself beyond the mundane, animalistic platform (i.e. the base pursuits of eating, sleeping and mating). Intrinsic to dharma is the division of the adult male population into the four classes of society and the inherent role of girls and women in society, as fully elucidated in latter chapters of this Holy Scripture. So, now that you understand life, and the reason why we are suffering here in this (ostensively) material universe, you are now able to become liberated from all mental suffering, RIGHT? WRONG! It is imperative to approach an authentic spiritual master to assist you to come to the above realization, by slowly undoing your past conditioning. Just as you have been conditioned over an entire lifetime to think one way, you need to be re-conditioned to think another way (in alignment with your essential identity as The Divine). For one who has himself for a teacher, that man has a veritable fool as his teacher. Even if you adhere closely to the precepts of a competent teacher, you may still not come to a full understanding of life, but if you are sincere, humble and dedicated, you will definitely find more peace in your daily life - all of which was DESTINED to occur, of course. Furthermore, if you are suitably-qualified and it was ordained, you may be fortunate enough to receive discipline from one of the EXTREMELY rare fully-enlightened masters residing on earth at any given time (perchance even the current World Teacher himself), and subsequently realize the aforementioned fundamental concepts, by diligently studying authoritative doctrines (especially the most accurate and complete of all extant Scriptures, this “Final Instruction Sheet for Humanity”), serving your guru with great reverence and devotion, and by deliberately avoiding undue harm to oneself, to other individuals, to society as a whole, and to the natural environment. ☮️
Once my hair started to thin out in my mid 40s, I began to shave my head every week. But just recently, now in my mid 70s, I decided to give my hair one last chance. It's very thin at the front, but quite thick on the back and sides. One advantage of hair is that it provides a certain amount of padding - every other week I would find something to bang my thin-skinned, egg-bald head against and make it bleed. Not any more!
I feel compassion for Ken he was a healthy vital guy when he was younger and aging but especially getting sick took that from him prematurely. That has to be so difficult. I wish him well.
@@zrymill He had a rare and strange disease called RNase enzyme deficiency disease. He was a bodybuilder before that, and it really took a toll on him. But they managed to successfully treat it, and he's doing as well as can be expected now.
@@Mantras-and-Mystics On Ken Wilber's website, I believe he has a blog where he wrote about the illness and how they managed to isolate it and cure it. He had to apply all his mindfulness skills to deal with the illness, it was so painful, and still write stuff that was not depressing. Then they cured it and he said, "What happens is your sense of humour returns." :D
Love and respect you ken wilbur. I remember first reading the beautiful book that you and treya shared of the journey through cancer you shared together. I was very young and remember being moved to tears...so powerful. I am now 53, a greatful recovered alcoholic (4 years freedom) and every work you share is always of great value and reverence for me. Greatful for you and your life's work ❤
That is such a wonderful example how quickly we judge or we open up with curiosity to a new appearance. I love that you are the way you are deep inside of you. And I love your courage to go for it. Thank you. Warm and wild greetings from South Africa
Mere speculations: "Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..." Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more! Where is the so-called REALization? Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him?? I don't think so 🤭 Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤ Try the real stuff! ❤
Being here with you as you are is a gift. I am so happy you are experimenting with making yourself available. Follow your bliss, your heart -you are the same bodhisattva wisdom whichever appearance you enjoy is most important from my point of view. my impression is you may be enjoying this look & that makes me enjoy it. But you seem to enjoy everything. I'm pretty certain you could be happy in a paper bag outfit & probably sell them. love & gratitude to you Ken
Only Ken could go on for several minutes to explain and analyze the use of a wig, drawing on the perennial wisdom traditions to make his case. You gotta love him.
Mere speculations: "Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..." Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more! Where is the so-called REALization? Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him?? I don't think so 🤭 Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤ Try the real stuff! ❤
I don't think all this stuff is mutually exclusive. I see an old man going a little crazy, doing crazy stuff for God knows why. He also has a complex explanation for it. Also, he chose a chick wig. It make him look like a chick. It looks like 30 year old hair. He looks metro sexual as fuck
Not the best "hero" 😂 Mere speculations: "Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..." Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more! Where is the so-called REALization? Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him?? I don't think so 🤭 Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤ Try the real stuff! ❤
Ken is the man! Hands down absoluty love the new book. Pre ordered and started reading the day it came available. Didn't' want it to end! Just have to read it again after all it provided sets in a bit. I'm sure, as with every book of Ken's I read again after sometime, it will open up new areas I didn't see the first time. Thank You Ken!!!!
Deep bow for all you have given us. Thanks for sharing this. You are still Ken Wilber a man who opened the universe to me as none ever had. I think it is incredibly cool what you are doing. Looks better than fine. Support!
Mere speculations: "Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..." Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more! Where is the so-called REALization? Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him?? I don't think so 🤭 Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤ Try the real stuff! ❤
Lockdown has got many men growing their hair out from lack of barbers/hairdressers around. Seems like Ken is on the Zeitgeist there. I am growing my hair the longest its been possibly in 20 of my 39 years. There are a whole load of emotions and reactions I have to go through. Bravo to Ken for trying it out...totally his business no one else's in my opinion. Like he says it's like a piece of clothing, just a hat. If you were attached to the image of Bald Ken well now you are aware of it. Perhaps this wig is a nice striking contrast to so much of his enforced baldness over all those years..making up for lost hair time.
I first read a book edited by Ken Wilber in 1985 ( The Holographic Paradigm ), and several more by him followed over the next 10 to 15 years. I have watched hundreds of his videos since then, and I have been a big fan for 36 years now. I also have noted that women who have had cancer, and who are trying to grow their hair back, that they wear a wig for a while until their hair looks more respectable. So why not the same for Ken ? His genius will continue whether he is bald, has scruffy hair , patchy hair or is wearing a wig to cover wispy and scruffy hair until it looks better. Focus on the important stuff which is his work. Keep authoring and teaching Ken. All the best !
Have fun with life, buddy. I love how we're talking about his hair and his sweater isn't mentioned. He's an eccentric person. It's a fun, but lonely club. God bless him.
My brother-in-law began wearing his deceased wife's clothing then bought a wig like her hair style. I always wondered what this did for him. A feeling of safety? Did he feel her with him?
I just love this man. His greatness is far beyond those personal small things. The important thing is that he’s with us helping us as individual and as humanity to prepare, grow and act to surpass the big challenges that we are beginning to face. I embrace his soul.
Mere speculations: "Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..." Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more! Where is the so-called REALization? Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him?? I don't think so 🤭 Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤ Try the real stuff! ❤
Try some new things even if they’re old. Would love to see you with your natural hair. The longer blonde wig just doesn’t seem right though. Intuitively. It would be nice to just watch you naturally grow your hair in overtime. No wigs. Just the real you. Much love, by the way. You have taught me so much for the years. Siri
I’m a long time fan. ☝️👍. As you suggest this is a healthy/integral exploration. I say why not? Also it feels your time healing up/meditating has made you more healthy, lighter and more vibrant.
i've been shaving my head on the new moon and the full moon for more than 30 years now the main reason is that it simplifies my life... one less thing for me to be concerned with i can’t imagine going to the trouble of actually shaving my head EVERY DAY i just use clippers every 14-15 days it takes about 10 minutes
Just because Ken is a very genius thinker does not mean he is a genius in style as well. If you want to try on some wigs, please choose another one. Like this you remind me of Andy Warhol or Aunt Matilda. Just integrate your natural growing hair in your life, that would be more holistic.
This is a huge rationalization for a man who went through male pattern baldness young and always wanted hair.... I imagine how some important folks in the pragmatic mediation world would react. Angelo DiLullo. Shinzen Young. Sam Harris. Daniel Imgram. They would universally recognize this as a late life crisis. It's fine if he wants to do it. But he's not being honest with himself _why_ he's doing it.
Ken is one of the biggest influences in my life from a philosophical/spiritual perspective. But given that he’s asked for feedback, I think that the wig looks ridiculous. No judgement, just how I feel. I also still think that he absolutely rocks.
Hmm, maybe still dealing with the ego, at first I didn't think that would be the case with him, but then he said if other people thought it was cool then he'd do it, interesting coming from him.
Thumb(s) up! Just have fun; hair, no hair, who cares, do what you want. I've been shaving my dome for several years. Wishing Ken and everyone happiness.
I don’t usually comment on these things but hearing Kens background on his hair, his baldness, and his decision to try some new hair options really inspired me. I’ve been losing my hair to male pattern baldness and I totally agree that it’s been traumatic! I want to keep my hair as long as I can! Ken, all the best, enjoy your hair and I hope it makes you feel more at home with your image. for me, hairstyle/length is self expression and there’s no shame in that.
That was Ken’s long winded version of saying he just fancied a change 😂 Good ole’ Ken he has really done some great work for the good of the human race ❤
Your friends love you and accept you and will support your wig decision. However, I agree with some folks here that most society will discard/ distrust your message if they are familiar with you yet or even fans could feel you have gone off the deep end...like I needed to watch this to know wtf was going on and I'm reassured by your explanation, but not sure why you cannot see that this is like a Halloween costume kinda look. I wish the best for you sir, and am learning so much from integral life!
If you go now to a many Theravada temples and meditation centres you will realise that this practices not lead to the absorption of the mind (its part of the game to concentrate mind) and some kind of oblivion. No. Their main goal is anatta (stopping the process of wrong perception of separate entity) and after this Insight you can back to society and living "your" life but without clinging to that. Its pure non dual tradition. Maybe Mr Ken rely on some texts about specific opinions of some theravadian scientists, but its not like that in real life. Also there a plenty of different methods and views even within this tradition. Check Daniel Ingram book for example). Im just noticed that in One Taste and sometimes in general Wilber's view on theravada is fundamentally strange and not full. But its not about other his beautiful opinions! Thank you.
The fact is that a shaved head turns out to be so much more sensual and enjoyable, that growing hair doesn't offer. We get into it as a practice of sacrifice, but it turns out to be the opposite. That's why it's hard to grow back hair after one experiences the shaved lifestyle. I'm letting my hair grow this time. Six years was good enough for me.
This was the video that put me off Ken. Why? My need for integrity and authenticity. I perceive this as advanced bypassing, through wordplay, of what is just a very basic and apparent insecurity
I love Ken's sense of humour and his attitude to all this hair stuff. We are talking about our inhairitence. I would be interested to see Ken try a few different wigs for us to vote on - it's a bit of fun you know. It's good to see someone not being so precious or offended by our natural reaction - and it keeps us guessing "what will our Ken come up with next". I think the current wig is slightly too bouffant for his facial features. I have no objection to wigs, per se. I would suggest perhaps trying out a few different looks. Maybe a lighter do, less volume and more butch. I love that's Ken is willing and curious and I say "thumbs up, Baby !"
It always bothers me when people bring up "average lifespans" throughout human history as being so much shorter than they are today-and use that as a basis for the assertion that adult humans were typically dying at the given "average age". The reality is that this "average" was heavily skewed by infant mortality-many children that were born didn't survive past infancy, let alone childhood. Healthy humans that survived into adulthood, however, could certainly live out a typical human lifespan. I mean, there is plenty of writing and art from antiquity that depicts elderly people. It wasn't uncommon.
Blame it on Hobbes and his "nasty, brutish, and short" theory of life prior to civilization. I tend to believe that hunter gatherer life was natural, magical, beautiful, and free and civilization is equivalent to being born into captivity.
A Paroka , az természetes dolog , ugyanúgy , mintha sapkát venne fel . Szeretettel , egy öltözködési szakember . Megkérem , bírálni ezért , semmit és senkit sem . Köszönöm a figyelmességet .
choosing a wig must be a difficult affair - i would suggest trying multiple styles and getting feedback to see which ones suit best but i agree with the interviewer on the Andy Warhol vibe!
Yikes! 😳 From ‘eggshell blonde’ to blonde; that’s one way of doing personal transformation! Definitely the most interesting exposition on baldness and hair I have heard. It looks like Ken has worked hard to baldly go where no one has gone before; why not give all the shaving a rest and change from bare to hair.
Mere speculations: "Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..." Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more! Where is the so-called REALization? Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him?? I don't think so 🤭 Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤ Try the real stuff! ❤
If hair represents samsara then "theoretically" I would imagine Ken still assumes he can take samsara on and off at his discretion. That is a very bold assumption and in direct accordance with his grand perception of his own transcendent abilities. Non-duality is a wig people. Now you know!! Don't wast your time looking anywhere else. :))))
the look is evolving. Beauty in babies is skin deep , maybe. Beauty in mature adults is in their wisdom. Whats in your mind is what counts to me. Thanks for sharing a small part of your mind.
Interesting thoughts, though it seems Ken takes the typical--and mistaken--view that Theravada is dualistic. It's the old "lesser vehicle" trope, the "hinayana" denigration. Not sure what he's read from the Pali Canon, but the early Buddhism within it is not duelist whatsoever. Surprised he has absorbed and kept what has been discarded.
I don't get why he is thinking or concerned with hair at all. Why not just stop shaving and see if it's comfortable? But then it doesn't really matter. Maybe it is just human to be eccentric in our old age. I have studied ken wilber's books since "Spectrum of Consciousness" and that is what I am interested in.
Considering he's in his mid 70s and that he's spent most of his life since 25 years old shaving his head because of early onset baldness, I say fuck it. Live life and try out hair this late in the game of life. I think there are different wigs that could be more subtle. I'm sure there's a wig that would look better. I'm all for experimentation. Appreciate Ken's work. And yes it is hilarious only Ken and can go into the intricacies of hair from a spiritual and meta physical perspective lolol
love you Ken, again. good to see u in great humour and looking well. it matters little whether u are bald or not. its just great to see you have fun and continue in your tremendous work. the explanation too as always, enlightening. may you and you head go well. Richard
What I most*love about this video is, despite the 'new look', Wilber is actually fully transcending and including one the greatest perennial pieces of Ken knitwear of all time! A 16-year-old pullover, baby! Check it out here... 2007... whoop! ua-cam.com/video/BA8tDzK_kPI/v-deo.html
Yeah so let’s be honest - this is the most bullshitty excuse for a bald man choosing to wear wigs we’ve ever heard right ? He couldn’t grow his own hair if he tried- why can’t he just man up and say that ? Very weird little evasion there...
My thoughts were something along those lines. I still think from a merely aesthetic vantage I would grow whatever hair and beard he can grow. That’s my preference. Ken’s gift does not appear to me as being fashion and style. But that might be in the eye of the beholder. But yeah. Seemed like he was trying to sound profound while denying his insecurities of what some would consider superficial. Yet, I think is very human.
Ken should be more honest with his followers and readers, he might have said directly to be working on his Jungin's Anima feminine Shadows side to address it, this whole interview was about the Shadows of unconsciousness that may pop up anytime....
I like Ken with hair but i think he needs to find a different style wig or let his own hair grow. I am a long time follower of Ken and even have a Ken Wilber book group in Harrisburg, pa. and hair does not effect how I feel about him. He so helped me grow and evolve as a person.
In harrisburg? Cool. I'm right over the bridge in Lemoyne. Rusty on ken though. Burned through the books 10-15 years ago and then life went on but my eyes were open after being exposed to his ideas and the other teachings he recommends.
Unfortunately for people unfamiliar with Ken's incredible work, this degrades the credibility of Ken as a philosopher, thinker, and futurist. Whatever you or I think (I am bald and proud fyi) is immaterial (you do you), but it does risk turning off new students who may find it a bit harder to take him seriously.
Teacher is only available for students who are available. Whoever is excluded by their own prejudices is just learning what they are ready for learning. Great teachers always defy expectations. That's the way it has always been!
We've entered the contemplative revolution phase. Sorry but Ken isn't really part of it. Think about Sam Harris. He's just the most famous one with his mindfulness app... but you have all the pragmatic dharma teachers, like Shinzen Young and Michael Taft. You have newcomers like Angelo DiLullo who talks about just "Awakening" and explains how it's attainable. You have had daniel Ingram shake up the Buddhist mediation world; shake up the dogma in American Buddhist circles. There are plenty of practical and easy to follow guides to mediation and nonduality. I heard of Ken before all these other resources but the other resources transformed my life by teaching me good technique. Hard work and good mediation eventually lead to nondual experience, etc.
But what if his explanation is a rationalization for having early male pattern baldness... which it clearly is. Even it he can use the experience of wearing a wig as a transformative experience. The weird thing is he isn't being honest with himself. The weirdness of looking weird with a blonde Hilary wig.
![[Integral 1/5] The Four Quadrants of Ken Wilber's Integral Framework](/img/n.gif)
Ken, since you asked, I’m telling you. I love the idea of coming back to a life of hair but dude, grow your own. Whatever shows up shows up. I am WAY more interested and supportive of seeing you as an actual 71 year old man with whatever male patterned baldness you got. As a friend I say ditch the rug.
Yeah, and why that wig in particular? Looks like he's transitioning to Hilary Clinton. Ridiculous.
I can’t help but notice that the wig seems to take on a feminine appearance as does the sweater. I would be curious to know if Ken is also experimenting with gender appearance as well. No judgement, just curious if that is also part of what he is trying out.
Thats what I was thinking also.
Did you notice the fitting ring on his finger? I by the way like his new ways. I had an instant yes.
Methinks he is simply a typical beta-male. 😉
Same.
Karen Wilber!
This conversation reminded me of this poem: "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me,
And I shall spend my pension
on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals,
and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired,
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells,
And run my stick along the public railings,
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens,
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat,
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go,
Or only bread and pickle for a week,
And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats
and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry,
And pay our rent and not swear in the street,
And set a good example for the children.
We will have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me
are not too shocked and surprised,
When suddenly I am old
and start to wear purple!"
- Jenny Joseph
Is there a way to download this poem or what is the source. How can I find it?
3:35 the average age was 22 because childhood mortality was very high. once you were in your teens you actually had a high chance of getting to what we consider even nowadays "old age"
Indeed, Ken seems a bit misinformed. In all the footage and photos of today’s remaining hunter gatherer societies you will see members who are obviously well past their twenties in age, and these are people with diets and lifestyles similar to what we would have found hundreds of thousands of years ago.
That makes no sense. Even mathematically. If childhood mortality was not very high, that would not change the average age of 22. Simple math.
*average lifespan 👍
You life could be sourced from an irreducible crack in the proto-reality and another crack of the same un-pleasantness occured and therefore all this modernity and drugs and forced-ness that was unexplainable.
The absurdity of life/existence simply was projected into a mundane-ness and the constant base of this projection-change would be the common fissure-ness of these
I love this beautiful curious soul! Thank you for sharing this. Please, tell Ken that he looks fabulous! I would love him in any form even if he decided to grow extra limbs or turned completely green or maroon. I wish he stays healthy to enjoy whatever his playful spirit decides to go for!
🙏☺️
🌷❤️🙏🏾
02. A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF “LIFE”:
Everything, both perceptible and imperceptible - that is, any gross or subtle OBJECT within the material universe which can ever be perceived with the cognitive faculties, plus the SUBJECT (the observer of all phenomena) - is to what most persons generally refer when they use the term “God”, since they usually conceive of the Primeval Creator as being the Perfect Person, and “God” (capitalized) is a personal epithet of the Unconditioned Absolute. However, this anthropomorphized conception of The Absolute is a fictional character of divers mythologies.
According to most every enlightened sage in the history of this planet, the Ultimate Reality is, far more logically, Impersonal Absolute NOTHINGNESS (otherwise called “The Tao”, “The Great Spirit”, “Brahman”, “Pure Consciousness”, “Eternal Awareness”, “Independent Existence”, “The Ground of All Being”, “Uncaused Nature”, “The Undifferentiated Substratum of Reality”, “The Unified Field”, et cetera).
In other words, rather than the Supreme Truth being a separate Blissful, Supra-Conscious Being (The Godhead Himself or The Goddess), Ultimate Reality is Eternal-Existence Limitless-Awareness Unconditional-Peace ITSELF.
Because the Unmanifested Absolute is infinite creative potentiality, “it” actualizes as EVERYTHING, in the form of temporary, cyclical universes. In the case of our particular universe, we reside in a cosmos consisting of space-time, matter and energy, without, of course, neglecting the most fundamental dimension of existence (i.e. conscious awareness - although, “it” is, being the subject, by literal definition, non-existent).
Just as a knife cannot cut itself, nor the mind comprehend itself, nor the eyes see themselves, The Absolute cannot know Itself (or at least objectively EXPERIENCE Itself), and so, has manifested this phenomenal universe within Itself for the purpose of experiencing Itself, particularly through the lives of self-aware beings, such as we sophisticated humans. Therefore, this world of duality is really just a play of consciousness within Consciousness, in the same way that a dream is a person's sleeping narrative set within the life-story of an 'awakened' individual.
APPARENTLY, this phenomenal universe was created with the primal act (the so-called “Big Bang”), which started, supposedly, as a minute, slightly uneven ball of light, which in turn, was instigated, ultimately, by Extra-Temporal Supra-Consciousness. From that first deed, every motion or action that has ever occurred has been a direct (though, almost exclusively, an indirect) result of it.
Just as all the extant energy in the universe was once contained within the inchoate singularity, Infinite Consciousness was NECESSARILY present at the beginning of the universe, and is in no way an epiphenomenon of a neural network. Discrete consciousness, on the other hand, is entirely dependent on the neurological faculty of individual animals (the more highly-evolved the species, the greater its cognitive abilities).
“Sarvam khalvidam brahma” (a Sanskrit maxim from the “Chandogya Upanishad”, meaning ‘all this is indeed Brahman’ or ‘everything is the Universal Self alone’). There is NAUGHT but Eternal Being, Conscious Awareness, Causeless Peace - and you are, quintessentially, that!
This “Theory of Everything” can be more succinctly expressed by the mathematical equation:
E=A͚ (Everything equates to Infinite Awareness).
HUMANS are essentially this Eternally-Aware-Peace, acting through an extraordinarily-complex biological organism, comprised of the eight rudimentary elements - pseudo-ego (the assumed sense of self), intellect, mind, solids, liquids, gases, heat (fire), and ether (three-dimensional space). When one peers into a mirror, one doesn’t normally mistake the reflected image to be one’s real self, yet that is how we humans conventionally view our ever-mutating forms. We are, rather, in a fundamental sense, that which witnesses all transitory appearances.
Everything which can be presently perceived, both tangible and immaterial, including we human beings, is a culmination of that primary manifestation. That is the most accurate and rational explanation for “karma” - everything was preordained from the initial spark, and every action since has unfolded as it was predestined in ETERNITY, via an ever-forward-moving trajectory. The notion of retributive (“tit for tat”) karma is just that - an unverified belief. Likewise, the notion of a distinct, reincarnating “soul” or “spirit” is largely a fallacious belief.
Whatever state in which we currently find ourselves, is the result of two factors - our genetic make-up at conception and our present-life conditioning (which may include mutating genetic code). Every choice ever made by every human and non-human animal was determined by those two factors ALONE. Therefore, free-will is purely illusory, despite what most believe.
As a consequence of residing within this dualistic universe, we experience a lifelong series of fluctuating, transient pleasures and pains, which can take the form of physical, emotional, and/or financial pleasure or pain. Surprisingly to most, suffering and pain are NOT synonymous.
Suffering is due to a false sense of personal 'doership' - the belief that one is a separate, independent author of one’s thoughts, emotions, and deeds, and that, likewise, other persons are autonomous agents, with complete volition to act, think, and feel as they wish. Another way of stating the same concept is: suffering is due to the intellect being unwilling or unable to accept life as it manifests moment by moment.
There are five SYMPTOMS of suffering, all of which are psychological in nature:
1. Guilt
2. Blame
3. Pride
4. Anxiety
5. Regrets about the past and expectations for the future
These types of suffering are the result of not properly understanding what was explained above - that life is a series of happenings and NOT caused by the individual living beings. No living creature, including Homo sapiens, has personal free-will. There is only the Universal, Divine Will at play, acting through every body, to which William Shakespeare famously alluded when he scribed “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
The human organism is essentially a biopsychological machine, comprised of the five gross material elements and the three subtle material elements, listed above.
The ANTIDOTE to all mental anguish is to firstly discern pain from suffering, then to achieve complete relief from that miserable state of existence, by abandoning the erroneous belief in personal authorship, and abiding in the primordial sense of being (the unqualified “I am”, which is one's core identity). This is the very same peace which is experienced each night during the dreamless phase of the sleep cycle. This 'resting imperturbably as Flawless Awareness' can be practiced on a regular basis, until it is fully assimilated and integrated into one's life.
Every person, from time immemorial, has been either intentionally or unwittingly seeking such causeless peace, most commonly by practicing one of the four systems of YOGA (religion) delineated in the sixteenth chapter of this work, or else in creating wealth and the acquisition of material possessions, or in psycho-physical pleasures. That peace of mind is often referred to as “happiness”, “joy”, or “love”, and often presumed to be a temporal state, since many assume, incorrectly, that continuous peace is unavailable in this life.
Fortunately, that is not the case - it is eminently possible to live one's life acquainted with unbroken peace of mind, if destined.
Following DHARMA (frameworks of authentic religion and societal duties) is not guaranteed to achieve that desired tranquillity of mind, but even so, it is beneficial for individuals, since it establishes a structure which enables one to more easily elevate oneself beyond the mundane, animalistic platform (i.e. the base pursuits of eating, sleeping and mating). Intrinsic to dharma is the division of the adult male population into the four classes of society and the inherent role of girls and women in society, as fully elucidated in latter chapters of this Holy Scripture.
So, now that you understand life, and the reason why we are suffering here in this (ostensively) material universe, you are now able to become liberated from all mental suffering, RIGHT?
WRONG! It is imperative to approach an authentic spiritual master to assist you to come to the above realization, by slowly undoing your past conditioning. Just as you have been conditioned over an entire lifetime to think one way, you need to be re-conditioned to think another way (in alignment with your essential identity as The Divine). For one who has himself for a teacher, that man has a veritable fool as his teacher.
Even if you adhere closely to the precepts of a competent teacher, you may still not come to a full understanding of life, but if you are sincere, humble and dedicated, you will definitely find more peace in your daily life - all of which was DESTINED to occur, of course.
Furthermore, if you are suitably-qualified and it was ordained, you may be fortunate enough to receive discipline from one of the EXTREMELY rare fully-enlightened masters residing on earth at any given time (perchance even the current World Teacher himself), and subsequently realize the aforementioned fundamental concepts, by diligently studying authoritative doctrines (especially the most accurate and complete of all extant Scriptures, this “Final Instruction Sheet for Humanity”), serving your guru with great reverence and devotion, and by deliberately avoiding undue harm to oneself, to other individuals, to society as a whole, and to the natural environment.
☮️
Yes absolutely!
@@TheWorldTeacher where did this come from may I ask? It’s a lot!
Once my hair started to thin out in my mid 40s, I began to shave my head every week. But just recently, now in my mid 70s, I decided to give my hair one last chance. It's very thin at the front, but quite thick on the back and sides. One advantage of hair is that it provides a certain amount of padding - every other week I would find something to bang my thin-skinned, egg-bald head against and make it bleed. Not any more!
Because he has been in quarantine too long and no one around him has the balls to point out to him that it looks f**kin nuts to any outsider.
My question would also be why is he so skinny. He looks anorexic.
I feel compassion for Ken he was a healthy vital guy when he was younger and aging but especially getting sick took that from him prematurely. That has to be so difficult. I wish him well.
He never was a HEALTHY MAN! 🤭
@@zrymill He had a rare and strange disease called RNase enzyme deficiency disease. He was a bodybuilder before that, and it really took a toll on him. But they managed to successfully treat it, and he's doing as well as can be expected now.
@@squamish4244 Do you have any idea how they treated it? Or where I can find info on this? Thank you. 🙏
@@Mantras-and-Mystics On Ken Wilber's website, I believe he has a blog where he wrote about the illness and how they managed to isolate it and cure it. He had to apply all his mindfulness skills to deal with the illness, it was so painful, and still write stuff that was not depressing. Then they cured it and he said, "What happens is your sense of humour returns." :D
Love and respect you ken wilbur. I remember first reading the beautiful book that you and treya shared of the journey through cancer you shared together. I was very young and remember being moved to tears...so powerful. I am now 53, a greatful recovered alcoholic (4 years freedom) and every work you share is always of great value and reverence for me. Greatful for you and your life's work ❤
That is such a wonderful example how quickly we judge or we open up with curiosity to a new appearance. I love that you are the way you are deep inside of you. And I love your courage to go for it. Thank you. Warm and wild greetings from South Africa
Love you Ken, in whatever corporeal manifestation you may choose to present yourself in 💗
😃👍
Mere speculations:
"Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..."
Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more!
Where is the so-called REALization?
Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him??
I don't think so 🤭
Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤
Try the real stuff! ❤
wig is emptiness, emptiness is wig. Wig is no other than emptiness, emptiness is no other than wig
Chop wood, put on wig; chop wood, take off wig.
Being here with you as you are is a gift. I am so happy you are experimenting with making yourself available. Follow your bliss, your heart -you are the same bodhisattva wisdom whichever appearance you enjoy is most important from my point of view. my impression is you may be enjoying this look & that makes me enjoy it. But you seem to enjoy everything. I'm pretty certain you could be happy in a paper bag outfit & probably sell them. love & gratitude to you Ken
Only Ken could go on for several minutes to explain and analyze the use of a wig, drawing on the perennial wisdom traditions to make his case. You gotta love him.
Mere speculations:
"Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..."
Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more!
Where is the so-called REALization?
Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him??
I don't think so 🤭
Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤
Try the real stuff! ❤
@@antalperge1007 May you clarify yourself please?
Some people would call his analysis wise, some would call it stupid.
I don't think all this stuff is mutually exclusive. I see an old man going a little crazy, doing crazy stuff for God knows why. He also has a complex explanation for it. Also, he chose a chick wig. It make him look like a chick. It looks like 30 year old hair. He looks metro sexual as fuck
There's a difference between understanding and knowing
Ken is a personal hero of mine. Loving the wig/hair Ken. Keep rockin' you legend!
Not the best "hero" 😂
Mere speculations:
"Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..."
Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more!
Where is the so-called REALization?
Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him??
I don't think so 🤭
Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤
Try the real stuff! ❤
Ken is the man! Hands down absoluty love the new book. Pre ordered and started reading the day it came available. Didn't' want it to end! Just have to read it again after all it provided sets in a bit. I'm sure, as with every book of Ken's I read again after sometime, it will open up new areas I didn't see the first time. Thank You Ken!!!!
Deep bow for all you have given us. Thanks for sharing this. You are still Ken Wilber a man who opened the universe to me as none ever had. I think it is incredibly cool what you are doing. Looks better than fine. Support!
the whole integral world is but a freakshow..
Mere speculations:
"Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..."
Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more!
Where is the so-called REALization?
Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him??
I don't think so 🤭
Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤
Try the real stuff! ❤
@@brucegoodie
Thank you!! Please, we need more of it! ❤
Dear Universe,
Thank you for giving me the future opportunity to meet Ken Wilber.
❤
We have seemingly reached peak madness these days.
Beautiful. The message is impeccable, the presence is lighter than a feather.
Lockdown has got many men growing their hair out from lack of barbers/hairdressers around. Seems like Ken is on the Zeitgeist there. I am growing my hair the longest its been possibly in 20 of my 39 years. There are a whole load of emotions and reactions I have to go through. Bravo to Ken for trying it out...totally his business no one else's in my opinion. Like he says it's like a piece of clothing, just a hat. If you were attached to the image of Bald Ken well now you are aware of it. Perhaps this wig is a nice striking contrast to so much of his enforced baldness over all those years..making up for lost hair time.
i think it's just a wig.
I first read a book edited by Ken Wilber in 1985 ( The Holographic Paradigm ), and several more by him followed over the next 10 to 15 years. I have watched hundreds of his videos since then, and I have been a big fan for 36 years now. I also have noted that women who have had cancer, and who are trying to grow their hair back, that they wear a wig for a while until their hair looks more respectable. So why not the same for Ken ? His genius will continue whether he is bald, has scruffy hair , patchy hair or is wearing a wig to cover wispy and scruffy hair until it looks better. Focus on the important stuff which is his work. Keep authoring and teaching Ken. All the best !
Have fun with life, buddy. I love how we're talking about his hair and his sweater isn't mentioned. He's an eccentric person. It's a fun, but lonely club. God bless him.
Interviewer: So why are you wearing a wig
Ken: well......
My brother-in-law began wearing his deceased wife's clothing then bought a wig like her hair style. I always wondered what this did for him. A feeling of safety? Did he feel her with him?
Sounds like some deep emotional attachment to a symbolic aspect of his late dying wife's condition finally being let go of. Moving on.
I love this, that even in a conversation about a wig, Ken goes deep into Samsara and Nirvana.
Thhaannkkk Yoouuu for Showing We are in a Constant Process...!!!
Thank You for this~ since Spectrum of Consciousness Ken has been a Hero ~ love Love LOVE him oxooo
I just love this man. His greatness is far beyond those personal small things. The important thing is that he’s with us helping us as individual and as humanity to prepare, grow and act to surpass the big challenges that we are beginning to face. I embrace his soul.
Mere speculations:
"Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..."
Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more!
Where is the so-called REALization?
Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him??
I don't think so 🤭
Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤
Try the real stuff! ❤
There's a short story by Akutagawa Ryunosuke called "The Nose". It's about a monk.
Try some new things even if they’re old. Would love to see you with your natural hair. The longer blonde wig just doesn’t seem right though. Intuitively. It would be nice to just watch you naturally grow your hair in overtime. No wigs. Just the real you. Much love, by the way. You have taught me so much for the years. Siri
Thank you Ken, I read your books since my early twenties. Also a great fan of Sri Aurobindo. Keep up the good works. Love, Kristo Gabriel
ALL is ONE.... Beautifuly Expressed! Can't wait to see your natural hair... ENJOY it ALL and have much fun with WIGS!🙏💙😉
C'mon guys. Do the brother a favour. It's definitely not a good look. Try again!
He's just ugly as always 😂
Besides: his "integral" BS is boring and useless.
Try Mindfullness intead or Pure Awareness technique ❤
As long as he likes it ❤
I’m a long time fan. ☝️👍. As you suggest this is a healthy/integral exploration. I say why not? Also it feels your time healing up/meditating has made you more healthy, lighter and more vibrant.
Ken!what a wonderful exploration and what freedom you demonstrate . Many thanks
i've been shaving my head on the new moon and the full moon for more than 30 years now
the main reason is that it simplifies my life... one less thing for me to be concerned with
i can’t imagine going to the trouble of actually shaving my head EVERY DAY
i just use clippers every 14-15 days
it takes about 10 minutes
Just because Ken is a very genius thinker does not mean he is a genius in style as well. If you want to try on some wigs, please choose another one. Like this you remind me of Andy Warhol or Aunt Matilda. Just integrate your natural growing hair in your life, that would be more holistic.
Lol your opinion is irrelevant. He can do what he wants. Your aesthetic standards are superfluous to another.
This is a huge rationalization for a man who went through male pattern baldness young and always wanted hair.... I imagine how some important folks in the pragmatic mediation world would react. Angelo DiLullo. Shinzen Young. Sam Harris. Daniel Imgram. They would universally recognize this as a late life crisis.
It's fine if he wants to do it. But he's not being honest with himself _why_ he's doing it.
Growing out real hair is my recommendation. One can always shave it off again. Wigs look so unreal, unless they are for a clever disguise.
All is Maya (illusion)
Ken is one of the biggest influences in my life from a philosophical/spiritual perspective. But given that he’s asked for feedback, I think that the wig looks ridiculous. No judgement, just how I feel. I also still think that he absolutely rocks.
Wish I could email the station to give my 👍🏼😁
He now looks like Kurt Cobain's grandmother.
He broke himselve somewhere along the way.
That is the most complex way to say *i’m just trying out hair to see if i like it* lol
Dropping judgments allows the embracement of polarization. Play in this world. Enjoy.
I love listening to ken Wilbur!
I'm still wondering why he doesn't just grow his own hair. Does he still have issues with MPB?
Hmm, maybe still dealing with the ego, at first I didn't think that would be the case with him, but then he said if other people thought it was cool then he'd do it, interesting coming from him.
He has every right to shave, grow or wear a wig. He's a scholar.
Thumb(s) up! Just have fun; hair, no hair, who cares, do what you want. I've been shaving my dome for several years. Wishing Ken and everyone happiness.
I don’t usually comment on these things but hearing Kens background on his hair, his baldness, and his decision to try some new hair options really inspired me. I’ve been losing my hair to male pattern baldness and I totally agree that it’s been traumatic! I want to keep my hair as long as I can!
Ken, all the best, enjoy your hair and I hope it makes you feel more at home with your image. for me, hairstyle/length is self expression and there’s no shame in that.
That was Ken’s long winded version of saying he just fancied a change 😂
Good ole’ Ken he has really done some great work for the good of the human race ❤
Your friends love you and accept you and will support your wig decision. However, I agree with some folks here that most society will discard/ distrust your message if they are familiar with you yet or even fans could feel you have gone off the deep end...like I needed to watch this to know wtf was going on and I'm reassured by your explanation, but not sure why you cannot see that this is like a Halloween costume kinda look. I wish the best for you sir, and am learning so much from integral life!
If you go now to a many Theravada temples and meditation centres you will realise that this practices not lead to the absorption of the mind (its part of the game to concentrate mind) and some kind of oblivion. No. Their main goal is anatta (stopping the process of wrong perception of separate entity) and after this Insight you can back to society and living "your" life but without clinging to that. Its pure non dual tradition. Maybe Mr Ken rely on some texts about specific opinions of some theravadian scientists, but its not like that in real life. Also there a plenty of different methods and views even within this tradition. Check Daniel Ingram book for example).
Im just noticed that in One Taste and sometimes in general Wilber's view on theravada is fundamentally strange and not full. But its not about other his beautiful opinions! Thank you.
The fact is that a shaved head turns out to be so much more sensual and enjoyable, that growing hair doesn't offer. We get into it as a practice of sacrifice, but it turns out to be the opposite. That's why it's hard to grow back hair after one experiences the shaved lifestyle. I'm letting my hair grow this time. Six years was good enough for me.
Ken Wilber is not shaving his head - long years ago he had thinked his hair to not grow anymore.
Like saitama from one punch man.
11:30 Ken I love you for whats in your head and not for whats on your head.
This was the video that put me off Ken. Why? My need for integrity and authenticity. I perceive this as advanced bypassing, through wordplay, of what is just a very basic and apparent insecurity
I love Ken's sense of humour and his attitude to all this hair stuff. We are talking about our inhairitence. I would be interested to see Ken try a few different wigs for us to vote on - it's a bit of fun you know. It's good to see someone not being so precious or offended by our natural reaction - and it keeps us guessing "what will our Ken come up with next". I think the current wig is slightly too bouffant for his facial features. I have no objection to wigs, per se. I would suggest perhaps trying out a few different looks. Maybe a lighter do, less volume and more butch. I love that's Ken is willing and curious and I say "thumbs up, Baby !"
inhairitence!!! :-)
I love your choice to try out your wig trials. This one looks good on you. Your head is very beautiful no matter if it's naked or covered!
It always bothers me when people bring up "average lifespans" throughout human history as being so much shorter than they are today-and use that as a basis for the assertion that adult humans were typically dying at the given "average age".
The reality is that this "average" was heavily skewed by infant mortality-many children that were born didn't survive past infancy, let alone childhood. Healthy humans that survived into adulthood, however, could certainly live out a typical human lifespan. I mean, there is plenty of writing and art from antiquity that depicts elderly people. It wasn't uncommon.
Blame it on Hobbes and his "nasty, brutish, and short" theory of life prior to civilization. I tend to believe that hunter gatherer life was natural, magical, beautiful, and free and civilization is equivalent to being born into captivity.
Will the Ken Show return soon. I miss it
A Paroka , az természetes dolog , ugyanúgy , mintha sapkát venne fel . Szeretettel , egy öltözködési szakember . Megkérem , bírálni ezért , semmit és senkit sem . Köszönöm a figyelmességet .
When is the beard coming. I think the big razor is a modern concept
choosing a wig must be a difficult affair - i would suggest trying multiple styles and getting feedback to see which ones suit best but i agree with the interviewer on the Andy Warhol vibe!
Yikes! 😳 From ‘eggshell blonde’ to blonde; that’s one way of doing personal transformation! Definitely the most interesting exposition on baldness and hair I have heard. It looks like Ken has worked hard to baldly go where no one has gone before; why not give all the shaving a rest and change from bare to hair.
Mere speculations:
"Mystic State", "Zen State", "practicing Zen..."
Geez, after 50-60 years, WE NEED MORE! We really do need more!
Where is the so-called REALization?
Do you feel peace, love, joy, happiness, while listening him??
I don't think so 🤭
Try Nisargadatta, Neville Goddard or Rupert Spira instead ❤
Try the real stuff! ❤
Oh dearest Ken. I love you, wig or no wig, hair or no hair. Looking good, wearing the shit of that wig. Handsome inside and out.
Real illumination is a mohawk, Ken. We'll wait.
"fascinating as it is..." Ken made me laugh at the end!
Hair is power and life - enjoy it as it grows, but when it starts to go let it go and prepare for a existence without it.
Thank God he worked out the right dharma rationale for his hair. Otherwise, what a scandal.
DONDE ESTAN LOS SUBTITULOS???? ...NO SALEN EN NINGUNA DE SUS CHARLAS....
If hair represents samsara then "theoretically" I would imagine Ken still assumes he can take samsara on and off at his discretion. That is a very bold assumption and in direct accordance with his grand perception of his own transcendent abilities.
Non-duality is a wig people. Now you know!! Don't wast your time looking anywhere else. :))))
W.I.G.
Wilber is....Gray.
the look is evolving. Beauty in babies is skin deep , maybe. Beauty in mature adults is in their wisdom. Whats in your mind is what counts to me. Thanks for sharing a small part of your mind.
It's nice to have the option.❤
Which book in three volumes did he refer reading at the beginning? Thanks in advance!
Do what makes YOU happy. That said, I think bald is a great look on you....I am actually jealous as my head is odd-shaped with massive ears ;)
You don’t need to explain your wig !
Interesting thoughts, though it seems Ken takes the typical--and mistaken--view that Theravada is dualistic. It's the old "lesser vehicle" trope, the "hinayana" denigration. Not sure what he's read from the Pali Canon, but the early Buddhism within it is not duelist whatsoever. Surprised he has absorbed and kept what has been discarded.
I don't get why he is thinking or concerned with hair at all. Why not just stop shaving and see if it's comfortable? But then it doesn't really matter. Maybe it is just human to be eccentric in our old age. I have studied ken wilber's books since "Spectrum of Consciousness" and that is what I am interested in.
thank you very much very helpful and well made video. Very helpful
Wigs are transformative, bravo Ken
Considering he's in his mid 70s and that he's spent most of his life since 25 years old shaving his head because of early onset baldness, I say fuck it. Live life and try out hair this late in the game of life. I think there are different wigs that could be more subtle. I'm sure there's a wig that would look better. I'm all for experimentation. Appreciate Ken's work. And yes it is hilarious only Ken and can go into the intricacies of hair from a spiritual and meta physical perspective lolol
I really dig the hair👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼 he looks great either way.
love you Ken, again. good to see u in great humour and looking well. it matters little whether u are bald or not. its just great to see you have fun and continue in your tremendous work. the explanation too as always, enlightening. may you and you head go well. Richard
Ken's wig has four quadrants. But they can be summarized as the Big Three:
The Zim. Zer. And They domains.
I love you, Ken.
spiritual development should lead to a decent appearance
Hi Ken, you look fabulous. You are beautiful, handsome, and real. Play, educate, live.
Why does Ken Wilbur wear a wig is a humorous koan: his answer elicits 3 strong blows of the kyosaku!
I can see Ken has a wound on his forehead which is healing, I wonder if the wig is being used to cover it also.
Killing the guru with a wig? The work stands, wig or no wig.
Keep communicating Mr. Wilber.
What I most*love about this video is, despite the 'new look', Wilber is actually fully transcending and including one the greatest perennial pieces of Ken knitwear of all time! A 16-year-old pullover, baby! Check it out here... 2007... whoop! ua-cam.com/video/BA8tDzK_kPI/v-deo.html
Dear Ken,
I want to meet you- The hair is fab!
Yeah so let’s be honest - this is the most bullshitty excuse for a bald man choosing to wear wigs we’ve ever heard right ? He couldn’t grow his own hair if he tried- why can’t he just man up and say that ? Very weird little evasion there...
My thoughts were something along those lines. I still think from a merely aesthetic vantage I would grow whatever hair and beard he can grow.
That’s my preference.
Ken’s gift does not appear to me as being fashion and style. But that might be in the eye of the beholder.
But yeah. Seemed like he was trying to sound profound while denying his insecurities of what some would consider superficial. Yet, I think is very human.
Ken should be more honest with his followers and readers, he might have said directly to be working on his Jungin's Anima feminine Shadows side to address it, this whole interview was about the Shadows of unconsciousness that may pop up anytime....
Andy Warhol left a vacancy that had to be filled.
I like Ken with hair but i think he needs to find a different style wig or let his own hair grow. I
am a long time follower of Ken and even have a Ken Wilber book group in Harrisburg, pa. and
hair does not effect how I feel about him. He so helped me grow and evolve as a person.
In harrisburg? Cool. I'm right over the bridge in Lemoyne. Rusty on ken though. Burned through the books 10-15 years ago and then life went on but my eyes were open after being exposed to his ideas and the other teachings he recommends.
Unfortunately for people unfamiliar with Ken's incredible work, this degrades the credibility of Ken as a philosopher, thinker, and futurist. Whatever you or I think (I am bald and proud fyi) is immaterial (you do you), but it does risk turning off new students who may find it a bit harder to take him seriously.
Teacher is only available for students who are available. Whoever is excluded by their own prejudices is just learning what they are ready for learning. Great teachers always defy expectations. That's the way it has always been!
We've entered the contemplative revolution phase. Sorry but Ken isn't really part of it. Think about Sam Harris. He's just the most famous one with his mindfulness app... but you have all the pragmatic dharma teachers, like Shinzen Young and Michael Taft. You have newcomers like Angelo DiLullo who talks about just "Awakening" and explains how it's attainable. You have had daniel Ingram shake up the Buddhist mediation world; shake up the dogma in American Buddhist circles. There are plenty of practical and easy to follow guides to mediation and nonduality. I heard of Ken before all these other resources but the other resources transformed my life by teaching me good technique. Hard work and good mediation eventually lead to nondual experience, etc.
But what if his explanation is a rationalization for having early male pattern baldness... which it clearly is. Even it he can use the experience of wearing a wig as a transformative experience. The weird thing is he isn't being honest with himself. The weirdness of looking weird with a blonde Hilary wig.
Love it!!
Ken evolved into Karen
Kenren