Integral Recovery Class Recordings

IRI class lectures, beginning in April 2014, have been rearranged out of chronological order and put in a content sequential order below.  But please feel free to browse through the lecture topics and listen to the recordings in an order of your own choosing.

The History of Integral Recovery – John Dupuy – IRI Class Lecture, April 8, 2014

John Dupuy explains how his concept of Integral Recovery came about — out of years of working in the field with young people suffering from addiction, founding and co-founding new programs, and then happening upon Ken Wilber’s Integral theory and putting it all together: Integral theory, the AQAL map, brainwave entrainment meditation, and recovery from addiction.

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Addiction: the Big Picture – John Dupuy – IRI Class Lecture, April 22, 2014

John discusses the big picture of addiction — its far reaching effects socially, culturally, geographically, historically. John talks about how looking at addiction from an Integral point of view provides hope for healing on all of these different levels. John and the students then discuss legalization of marijuana, the use of ibogaine, and other altered states producing substances.

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The Crucial Role Of Fellowship in Recovery – Guy du Plessis – IRI Class Lecture, August 5, 2014

Guy du Plessis explains how addiction can be described as a misguided attempt at self-repair, as a consequence of narcissistic disorder. Heinz Kohut understands narcissistic disorder as a consequence of an injury of the self. Kohut implies that individuals’ early dysfunctional experiences with others (self-objects) creates a potential for addiction in later life. Drug addiction, alcoholism, or any addictive behavior is then understood as a misguided substitute for these missing relationships. Put simply, poor relationships in our early development make us more prone to addiction in later life. In this lecture, Guy explores the value of fellowship in repairing narcissistic wounding that often lies at the root of addiction.

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The Four Quadrants and How They Relate to Recovery from Addiction – John Dupuy & Guy du Plessis – IRI Class Lecture, July 15, 2014

John Dupuy talks about how important a four-quadrant perspective is in recovery from addiction, not only to become happier, healthier, and more balanced individuals, but as a means of relapse prevention. Having established practices that work us in interior, exterior, relational, and environmental ways also makes it easier to pull ourselves back together again if relapse does occur. Guy du Plessis points out that not only are the four quadrants essential perspectives, they are actually real dimensions of who we are.

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Family Involvement & the Lower-Left Quadrant in Relation to Addiction & Recovery – Dr. Bob Weathers and Guy du Plessis – IRI Class Lecture, May 6, 2014

Dr. Bob Weathers and Guy du Plessis talk about the huge role that family involvement and the Lower-Left quadrant/personal relationships and psychosocial integration play in recovery, not only during treatment as support systems (or not), but also as etiological factors that lead to addiction in the first place.

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How Lines of Development Inform Our Understanding of Addiction & Recovery – Guy du Plessis – IRI Class Lecture, July 22, 2014

Guy du Plessis discusses how lines of development inform our understanding of addiction. The six essential lines are: the physical, psychological, social, intellectual, existential, and environmental. Where an addict is at in each line of development gives us essential information as to the pathology of his/her addiction and as to the practices that individuals needs to focus on most as they work their way through their recovery, as these change over time.

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Stages of Development in Integral Recovery – Dr. Bob Weathers – IRI Class Lecture, July 30, 2014

Bob Weathers talks about how developmental psychologists have identified numerous lines of an individual’s consciousness, such as cognition (what one is aware of), values (what one considers most important), self-identity (what one identifies with), and morality (what is the right thing to do). Applied to an integrally informed treatment of addiction, a developmental stage model helps addicts make sense of where they have ended up developmentally (i.e., often pathologically regressed owing to addiction), and where they will be going if they keep up their recovery.
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Spiral Dynamics – John Dupuy, August 12, 2014

John Dupuy’s Introductory Lecture on Spiral Dynamics – IRI Class Lecture, August 12, 2014

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Practical Applications of Moral Developmental Stages to Integral Recovery – Dr. Bob Weathers – IRI Class Lecture, August 19, 2014

Applied to an integrally informed treatment of addiction, understanding moral developmental stages helps addicts make sense of not only what they have done, in and around addiction, but also why they have done it. Additionally, knowledge of moral developmental theory supplies a hopeful direction for the addict in recovery: pointing toward where he or she intends to be, post-addiction, in terms of regaining the ability to make sound, ethical life choices.

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States of Consciousness and Typologies and their Effect on Addiction & Recovery – Guy du Plessis –  IRI Class Lecture, June 3, 2014

Guy du Plessis talks about the role that states of consciousness play in our understanding of addiction and how our innate and hard-wired need for altered states of consciousness is part of the etiology of addiction. Guy describes the three coping styles (satiation, arousal, and fantasy) and the implications of which style an addict adheres to for their addiction and recovery. Guy then discusses how an understanding of masculine and feminine typologies affects so many different aspects of addiction: the drug of choice, the coping style, the type of therapist that will be most effective, the addictive neural pathways.

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An Introduction to the Enneagram, Part I – John & Pam Dupuy – IRI Class Lecture, September 2, 2014

John and Pam Dupuy introduce the Enneagram typology, covering some of the history, complexity, and the usefulness of this model. They also provide an introductory explanation of Enneagram points 1 through 5.

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The Enneagram Part II – John & Pam Dupuy – IRI Class Lecture, September 9, 2014

John and Pam continue their discussion of the Enneagram, covering points 6 through 9, and begin to get into integration and disintegration — how an individual will move to a different point on the Enneagram when he or she is under much stress, or equally, move to a different point when he or she is doing extremely well. There is also some explanation about “wings” — how the points on either side of an individual’s point can be extremely influential. More to come in the Enneagram Part III! 

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The Enneagram Part III – John & Pam Dupuy – IRI Class Lecture, September 16, 2014

In this lecture, John and Pam delve further into what the effects of the “wings” of each individual’s point on the Enneagram are; the points’ integration and disintegration directions and how these comes into play; and explain about the Enneagram subtypes, sexual, social, and self preserving.

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Trauma, Addiction, and Recovery – Guy du Plessis – IRI Class Lecture, September 30, 2014

Guy du Plessis explores the relationship between early childhood trauma and the onset of addictive behavioral traits in later life. He also briefly explores the relationship between certain therapeutic methodologies and trauma at certain stages of development.

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The 3-2-1 Shadow Process and the 1-2-3 of God – John Dupuy – IRI Class Lecture, October 21, 2014

By way of introducing the 3-2-1 Shadow Process, John first discusses Ken Wilber’s the 1-2-3 of God (1st-person, 2nd-person, 3rd-person perspectives of relating to God, the Great Mystery, or by whatever name you know it). Then he walks us through the three perspectives of his version of the 3-2-1 Shadow Process and a discussion ensues.

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The Experience of Shame and Addiction – Dr. Bob Weathers – IRI Class Lecture, May 20, 2014

Bob Weathers, Guy du Plessis, and the students have an in-depth discussion about an addict’s experience of shame, the neurological effects of shame, and the effects of shame on obtaining treatment and going through therapy.

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How Reward Deficiency and Irregular Neurochemistry affect Addicts and What To Do About It – Guy du Plessis – IRI Class Lecture, November 18, 2014

Guy du Plessis discusses certain physiological aspects related to addiction and recovery. He focuses on the concept of reward deficiency and the various practices and therapies that can assist in rectifying irregular neurochemistry.

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A Buddhist Approach to Working with Shadow in the Context of our Personal Life Narratives – Dr. Bob Weathers – IRI Class Lecture, October 7, 2014

​B​ob introduces w​hat​ he has learned about Buddhist approaches to recovery. He includes practical suggestions for learning to work directly and effectively with the shadow, opening ourselves to compassion and grace toward both self and others. Bob sets the tone by placing this conversation in the context of our own individual life narratives​,​ ​with integrally informed appreciation for the many relevant gems within Jungian psychology.

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Resentments, Forgiveness, and Block’s Identity System Theory – Guy du Plessis – IRI Class Lecture, October 14, 2014

​Guy du Plessis explores the valuable perspective Dr. Stanley Block’s work brings to the topics of forgiveness and resentments. Block propose a theory of human nature called the I-System, and various awareness training exercises called Mind-Body Bridging practices. Block’s suggested practices are particularly useful for those in recovery, as much of his work focuses on deconstructing “requirements,” which are the cause of resentments. Twelve Step fellowships like AA and NA place a significant focus on dealing with unresolved resentments, as they understand resentments to be of the main stumbling blocks to sustainable recovery.​
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The Existential Perspective on Addiction & Recovery – Guy du Plessis – IRI Class Lecture, August 26, 2014

Guy du Plessis looks at recovery and addiction from an existential perspective. The word “existential” refers to what gives us meaning in life. Guy looks at existential/spiritual practices from a 1st, 2nd , and 3rd person perspective and examines the value that these perspectives and practices have for sustainable recovery.

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On Practice – John Dupuy – IRI Class Lecture, September 23, 2014

John and the students talk about practice, mastery, and developing the inner coach. 
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What makes Integral Recovery Practice different? – Guy du Plessis – IRI Class Lecture, October 28, 2014

In this lecture, Guy addresses some foundational aspects of the Integral Recovery approach to practice. He explores in particular what makes Integral Recovery different from other approaches to recovery.

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How Integral Recovery Practice Works Day by Day – Dr. Bob Weathers – IRI Class Lecture, November 4, 2014

Bob explores how Integral Recovery Practice actually looks in day-in, day-out application: its keeping us honest in addressing full-spectrum, AQAL living; as well as common stumbling blocks to maintaining steady practice.

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Deep Practice Focusing on Brainwave Entrainment Meditation – John Dupuy – IRI Class Lecture, November 11, 2014

John explores deep, Integral practice, focusing on brainwave entrainment meditation specifically and also Cranial Electrical Stimulation.

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Psychologically-oriented Practices & Spiritual and Existential Needs – Guy du Plessis – IRI Class Lecture, November 25, 2014

Guy and the students discuss psychologically-oriented recovery practices (relating to the Upper-Left quadrant), and Guy explains the distinction between spiritual and existential needs.

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Why the Relational Component of a Recovery Program is Essential – Guy du Plessis – IRI Class Lecture, December 9, 2014

Guy du Plessis discusses why the relational component of a recovery program is absolutely essential. He explores how poor early childhood relationships often have a direct influence on the development of addictive behaviors later on and the value of a recovery fellowship.

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The Need for Plural Recovery – Dr. Bob Weathers – IRI Class Lecture, January 6, 2015

Dr. Bob Weathers introduces the importance of addressing Wilber’s Lower-Left quadrant in Integral Recovery. Specifically, Bob elaborates on the need for “plural recovery;” with the core idea being that, just as the addicted individual is focused on gaining sobriety in early recovery, the addict’s significant other needs support early on to work through traumatic experiences of betrayal and related resentments.

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What Couples Face in Stage One Recovery – Dr. Bob Weathers – IRI Class Lecture, January 13, 2015

Dr. Bob Weathers, in active dialogue with IRI class members, incorporates Wilber’s​ Lower ​-Left quadrant in Integral Recovery by detailing what Gary Nixon’s Stage One recovery looks like in addressing the couple in recovery. Included here are discussions of recovery-related stress and burnout, the need to exercise special care in early-stage recovery before attempting to repair attachment injuries like betrayal, and the relational limitations imposed by post-acute-withdrawal syndrome.

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What Couples Face in Stage Two Recovery – Dr. Bob Weathers and Colleen Kelly – IRI Class Lecture, January 20, 2015

Dr. Bob Weathers, with co-author and integrally informed marriage and family therapist, Colleen Kelly, introduce Gary Nixon’s Stage Two (more advanced) recovery from the perspective of working with couples. ​Bob and Colleen ​examine limitations in the addiction/recovery field​ — where an updated understanding of attachment theory and relationships is needed — ​as well as in the field of marriage and family therapy — where an in-depth understanding of the biology and psychology of addiction and its impact on a couple-in-recovery is needed.

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