My personal AQAL Map – From Integral Theory

The AQAL model was created by Ken Wilber as a core part of his contribution to Integral Theory. I have taken this model and extended it to map my activities and aspirations for my life as part of my Integral Life Practice. The idea behind this activity is to map my life, what I do with it and make sure that all dimensions of my existence is being exercised. It is kind of like “cross training.” Doing different types of activities as a part of a larger framework can really forward and support your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual dimensions.

Here is a very simple description of the AQAL Model and what you need to know to understand the basics of it.

Every unit of reality is both a whole and a part of a larger whole, has an interior and an exterior. A unit of reality also exists as an individual unit and (assuming more than one of these entities exists) as part of collective if other units. So this could apply to an atom, cell or a human being.

Observing the unit from the outside constitutes an exterior perspective on that unit. Observing this unit from the inside is the interior perspective, and so forth. If you map these four perspectives into quadrants, you have four quadrants, or dimensions.

For example, a human being has an interior dimension that is psychological/conscious, an external physical side which is the body, a collective interior which is shaped by language and culture and then a world of things in which that person exists, like a community. Here is a link to learn a little more: (Wikipedia)

So below, is an AQAL map with the roles or hats that I wear in my life. For example I place the practice of Yoga in the upper half, because it involves really only my mind and body. If I am a teacher of yoga, then I could place that in the lower left hand corner.

Brady’s Personal AQAL Map

I have added the various roles that I play in my life on top of this map and the various practices that I am a part of that support or overlap with the corresponding quadrant on the AQAL map. Also, I have also included a ranking of how strong or solid I think I am in this role. This year, I really have two major focuses…and that is my spiritual practices and my 1099 consultant role. Ultimately I would like to be able to draw these together where my work with companies is a spiritual expression of my gifts I would like to offer to the world. I also want to quantify that the rating of 3 is a rating of where I am versus where I think I can be by my 40th birthday. I think I am only a fraction of effective as I will be a eight years from now.

My Roles
Role (Rating on a scale of 1 – 10 with level of engagement) – Description
Partner (5)-  This is the role I have with Amber. Intimacy/ Roommate/ Explorer

Family Member (6) – This is the role I have with family. Unconditional support & interest.

1099 Consultant (3)  – This is the role I play for clients. Being of service and utility.

Friend (5) – This is the role I have with those that know all or parts of me.

Citizen (6)– This is the role I serve on the planet by the very nature of participating in life.

Seeker/Yogi (4)– This is the role I engage in when I seek truth to embody and realize.

Explorer (8)- Writer/Designer/Creator/Thinker/Inventor/Researcher – This is the role I find myself
in for temporal truth to be used in the here and now….may not be valid or useful in 5 – 100 years.

Child (2) – To be in guiltless play and fun.