The Path of Integrity

The Path of Integrity

by Linda Heron Wind, Ph.D.

Integrity is an interesting word. The dictionary defines it as, "the state of being whole." That makes sense to me as it seems like it comes from the word integration and I think of that as bringing the parts of myself together into wholeness. An image that comes to mind is that of throwing a pebble into a pond. One pebble creates a beautiful pattern of concentric rings around a center. If two or more pebbles are thrown, however, rings begin to run into each other and no clear center can be seen. That is how I feel sometimes when there are two parts of me that have different agendas - they usually run into each other. I end up losing my center and falling out of integrity.

When I am in integrity all parts of me dance in beautiful synchrony around a clear center. The waves of vibration that are created around me then touch others with their harmonious dance and all is well in the universe! Now why can't I be there all the time? It seems like there are these extra pebbles - some of which I know about and some that I don't - that keep showing up and disturbing the water. Integrity seems to be something that I move into and out of as I go through my day.

The path of integrity is for the Seeker of Wholeness. Clues present themselves in our daily lives that point to the path (in case you don't notice all the discordant ripples). For example, one clue is when you start to get judgmental about something someone else does that you would never do. That always points to a small pebble that you haven't yet noticed hiding somewhere within. Just when you least suspect it, it will catapult itself into your pond, leaving you wondering where in the world it came from. When judgment comes up about others or yourself, the appropriate action for the Seeker of Wholeness is to start looking for the inner pebble. Once found, it can be integrated into the one pebble of wholeness and integrity will be restored.

Another clue to the path is when you hear a conversation going on in your head that sounds like two or more people with as many points of view. I just had one of those a short while ago when I was craving something salty and opened up the blue corn chips only to discover that I had mistakenly bought the salt-free kind. "Oh no, these taste like cardboard!" "Yes, but you know you shouldn't be having the salt anyway." You can guess which of these two voices reached for the bag in the store and which one actually guided the hand. As long as this kind of interchange goes on in the inner world there is a lack of integrity. Appropriate action is to determine who is talking and attempt to bring them into unity.

A clue that is sometimes overlooked is when you are doing one thing and thinking about something else. Often described as not being in the present moment, it is a pattern that causes ripples in the ponds of relationship, creativity, work performance, health, and general enjoyment of life. We find ourselves not knowing what was just said in a conversation, losing focus in creative work, making silly mistakes, having accidents when we are not paying attention, and missing something beautiful. Presence of mind in the moment seems difficult to achieve sometimes but a beginning is just noticing when it is absent and calling it back home. Like a mother hen who has noticed that some of her chicks have strayed, give a few "clucks" to bring your thoughts back to the moment.

We all like to think of ourselves as having integrity and yet it seems difficult to achieve. For the Seeker of Wholeness it is a matter of knowing that integrity is always present but not always realized. How many times to we catch ourselves seeing something that was there all the time but we didn't realize it. It is comforting to me to know that integrity is always present because then when that pebble flies into the pond and surprises me with its disruptive ripples, I can look for not only the pebble but find the place within me where it is already integrated.

Lack of integrity is not a shameful thing - it is only an indication that we are not yet fully conscious of our wholeness. The Seeker of Wholeness looks for lack of integrity rather than hiding it. The clues presented in daily life are followed to gain greater awareness that, in turn, allows realization of wholeness. That is the path of integrity.

Integrity calls
Good relationship with self
Make conscious choices

Living what I know
Not just talking about it
Integrate teachings

Page last modified July 11, 2003 by RMC