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Make sure to take a look at the following section before you start into this week's lesson. You'll get a sense of the territory you'll traverse along with a few key objectives and questions that might guide your learning. When it comes to the FAQ audio library, we aren't suggesting that you listen to these audios before taking the e-learning lesson—rather, familiarize yourself with the topic(s) addressed in each question. Then, if similar questions arise as you proceed, you'll know exactly what you can get immediate clarification on.
Welcome to Lesson Three—our lesson on zones. This is where the magic happens. By adding one distinction to our repertoire, we go from four quadrants to eight zones. However, this move entails a lot more than learning just one more theoretical distinction. As you'll see, the move to zones has a tendency to throw many aspects of your understanding into question. Above all else, our terminology must now take on a preciseness that hasn't
been required up to this point. It's not so much that the definitions of terms are changing, but rather that we need to refine and then stick to very specific meanings for terms such as interior and exterior, inside and outside, and internal and external.

Prior to now, we've been able to function with these terms as synonyms. From this point forward, each means something very specific and together they must be coordinated to yield an understanding of zones as dimension-perspectives and to grasp the nature of individual and social holons. It's for this reason that we'll briefly review this collection of terms before you start. If one thing is true, multiple passes through this set of concepts will only help in the long run.

Interior vs Exterior
Let's start with the interior/exterior distinction, as it's the most familiar. Interior/exterior is the first distinction that gives rise to the quadrants. In particular, the Left-Hand and Right-Hand quadrants, which is what these terms now exclusively refer to. So, interior implies the non-locatable, non-observable aspects of consciousness (interiority) as it arises in individual and shared forms. Exterior, on the other hand refers to the objective and interobjective dimensions or aspects of any occasion. These dimensions have a simple location, can be observed/measured, and concern behaviors, physical characteristics, and systems interconnections, among other things. In short, interior refers to the LH quadrants and exterior to the RH quadrants. Together with the individual/collective distinction, this gives us the tetra-arising quadrants.

Inside vs Outside
The inside/outside distinction, while often used to refer to interiors and exteriors, actually concerns the boundary of a holon as it's enacted or encountered in each quadrant dimension. Put differently, we can view, engage, or understand every dimension of any occasion from either the inside (via acquaintance) or from the outside (via description), giving us the eight zones. Again, the inside and outside—sometimes referred to as a first-person and third-person view—is available in each quadrant dimension and does not exclusively associate with the LH and RH quadrants as was previously typical for first and third person perspectives. The inside/outside distinction concerns the self-defined “spatial” boundary of a holon, in any quadrant. Or simply a distinction which lets us know that phenomenon or occasions are within the boundary of a holon in any quadrant. For instance, the outside view of my interior is actually a distancing, objective, or third-person view of my upper-left dimension—that is, it's a view that reveals how my interiors unfold over time in patterns called structures. This outside/distancing/objective view is not to be confused with the exterior dimension, which simply reveals the RH quadrant aspects of my objective and interobjective arisings. The outside view of my interior is still concerned with subjective and intersubjective dimensions—but specifically as they are seen from a distance, rather than how they are felt or experienced via acquaintance. As you can see, the inside/outside distinction takes some time to get used to. Fortunately, we'll walkthrough each zone several times over the next three lessons.

Internal vs External
Finally, the internal/external distinction refers to the relationship a given holon or artifact has with another holon's dominant mode of resonance (for individual holons) or nexus-agency (for social holons). Simply put, internal and external refer to whether or not a junior holon is transcended and included by a senior holon. This distinction isn't directly involved in giving rise to the quadrants or the zones, but it does exist in each of the four quadrants and it does influence both if and how an inside or outside view can be adopted. Let's consider an example. Your immune system is part of your body. It is subject to your central agency or dominant monand. If you (a senior holon) decide to get up and move across the room, your immune system (junior holon) goes along for the ride. It's doesn't work in reverse, because your immune system is internal to you as an individual holon. Another person or an object across the room is external to your holon in that your dominant monad does not exert the same degree of influence on something like a chair or your best friend. When it comes to social holons, consider that you are part of your family. But, you're not part of your family in the same way that your kidneys are part of your body. Instead, you are a member of your family. Your family's nexus-agency, or agreed upon internality codes, exert a strong influence on your LL and LR intersections, but they do not control you as we saw above. This is because you, as a holon, are not internal to your family. You are external, whereas your shared meaning and behavioral intersections, if they are resonating and following the family codes, are what is internal to something like a familial social holon.

These internal and external relationships are the real juice and substance of tetra-evolution's individual and social holonic relationships. They can be understood through each quadrant and can be engaged from either inside or outside views, making this third and final distinction an important concept for the remainder of your journey. Again, this is just a brief primer—something that aims to show you the work that you're about to engage. Give yourself the freedom to struggle with this. It often takes time to brings these complex notions online in your awareness.
Here's a quick overview of the content covered by this study guide:
  • Lesson: Lesson 3 - Zones
  • Topics: Zones vs quadrants, Event Horizons, Interior/inside/internal vs exterior/outside/external, Zone walkthrough and injunctions, Zones as perspectives
  • # of Slides: 56
  • Activities: 4-Layer Analysis
  • Length: 119 min
  • Time to Complete: 2.5 to 3 hours
We suggest the following learning objectives for Lesson 3. These objectives are fairly universal, covering the most primary topics. As you go through the course, feel free to supplement this list with your own personal objectives.
  • Distinguish between interior/inside/internal and exterior/outside/external both theoretically and practically.
  • Determine internality and externality of a given holon in relation to the dominant monad or nexus-agency of another holon.
  • Conduct a modular 4-layer analysis of a personal or professional issue or topic.
Let the following inquiries guide your engagement of these lessons. Consider them in advance and then let them sit in your mind as you engage the e-learning. As you can see, the answers are direct or easy—in fact, they may shift as you proceed, which is why we'll revisit the questions once you're done.
  • What aspect of quadrant theory is currently most difficult for you to grasp? How does that impact your understanding of zones?
  • What is the difference between quadrants and zones understood as dimension-perspectives as compared to just as dimensions or perspectives?
  • Do you have a preference for inside or outside views? Which is easiest for your to engage? Does this change depending in the LH or RH quadrants? What about upper or lower quadrants?
  • What is the benefit of a zone view as compared to a quadrivial view?
Lesson 3: Meditation, Shadow, and Internal vs. External
  • Question text: You had mentioned that meditation is counter-indicated for individual’s with poor ego development. Can you elaborate ore on this in relation to the distinctions of internal and external? This is important to me because I recommend meditation to my clients.
  • Length: 29 min
  • Faculty: Clint & Ali
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Lesson 3: Zone Distinctions in UL
  • Question text: Can you unpack and explain how the distinctions of inside-outside, internal-external apply to the UL? Can you also explain the differences between self, ego, I and psyche, and how the aforementioned distinctions apply to dissociation and psychopathology?
  • Length: 25 min
  • Faculty: Clint & Ali
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Lesson 3: Zone Distinctions and Holons
  • Question text: I am fascinated by how zones apply to interpersonal relationships, and how they can demonstrate how individual’s can enter or become marginalized from a We. Can you elaborate on the notions if internal and external, inside and outside, in relation to individual and social holons.
  • Length: 15 min
  • Faculty: Clint
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Lesson 3: Lines Analysis and Psychographs
  • Question text:I had difficulty understanding the personal relevance of the graphs I made of myself and another person. I understand how it could be very useful tool, but I don't know the parameters/qualities of how to gauge from low to high. I did my best to be honest and when I looked at both the graphs together, I didn’t know what to make of it. I gave the other person several low marks, but is that just the way I see it? It would be helpful to me to have a few more examples.
  • Length: 9 min
  • Faculty: Clint
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Lesson 3: Internality and Externality
  • Question text: Since a holon is a whole-part simultaneously, could we say that a holon is individual and collective at he same time? Having said this, how can we address instances when the benefit for the individual is sacrificed in favor of the collective? Are individual and collective dimensions polarities?
  • Length: 5 min
  • Faculty: Clint
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Lesson 3: Learning Advanced Integral
  • Question text: Could you please illustrate the theory using more concrete examples? I am having difficulty understanding perspectives and distinctions laid out in the first chapters of Integral Spirituality.
  • Length: 6 min
  • Faculty: Clint
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Lesson 3: Zones 5 vs. 6 and 7 vs. 8
  • Question text:What is the difference between zones #5 and #6 and zones #7 and #8? Are the examples I am providing, concerning my immediate experiences correct? Can you provide correct examples?
  • Length: 50 min
  • Faculty: Clint & Ai
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Lesson 3: Perspectives of Zones
  • Question text:I am finding that the further from zone one I try to shift my perspective the more elusive these perspectives become. Also it seems like whenever I am trying to take the perspectives of other zones it is always my first-person taking these perspectives. Can you say more about this? Is it really possible to engage a perspective “as it is” vs “as I see it” ?
  • Length: 23 min
  • Faculty: Clint & Ali
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Lesson 3: Social Holons and Zone Distinctions
  • Question text: I am fascinated with the ever changing forum of social holons. I was wondering if you could speak to the balance of forces --- the agency of individual holons and their shared objectives --- as they ebb and flow, have more power sometimes, and are sometimes so weak that the social holon is disbanded. Does this process have to originate from zone one? Or can it come from any quadrant or zone? What is the role of power here?
  • Length: 28 min
  • Faculty: Clint & Ali
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Lesson 3: Nexus Agency of a We
  • Question text: How does leadership show up in the social holon? You had mentioned that, an individual could set the internality code of a we? Would this not mean that the exchanges are dominated by the person setting the code? How would a leader manage this code setting and allow mutual resonance and shared experience to take place?
  • Length: 4 min
  • Faculty: Clint & Ali
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Lesson 3: Internal vs External and Inside vs Outside
  • Question text: I understand that at some points I am outside a social holon, when my exchanges are not following the nexus agency of a social holon. Can you comment more on how the internal-external, inside-outside, as it applies to individual and social holons? Also, even when my communications do not follow the nexus agency of my family, am I really outside my family’s we? I feel like this is not the case in the long run. In the long run I am always a member of my family, and my family sees me this way no matter what. Can you comment on this?
  • Length: 14 min
  • Faculty: Clint & Ali
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Lesson 3: Internality in the UL
  • Question text: As an individual holon you are only internal to your higher self. Can you comment on this?
  • Length: 4 min
  • Faculty: Ali
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Lesson 3: Primordial Perspectives
  • Question text: What is the relationship between perspectives and terms like consciousness? How does this relate to Spirit? Can you elaborate on primordial perspectives?
  • Length: 17 min
  • Faculty: Ali
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Once you complete this week's lesson, check out the following sections for additional content to deepen your experience. Reflect once again on the key questions from earlier, engage some additional readings from Ken, or undertake a practice that's based on this lesson's topics. Then, when you're done, give yourself a well-deserved congratulations for completing this lesson and staying on track with your progress through Essential Integral.
For this lesson's practice, we'll do an interesting thought experiment, written by Ali, that aims to have you directly encounter the fundamental irreducibility of the quadrants as dimension-perspectives. Deeply getting in touch with the notion in a real and felt way is a prerequisite for fully grasping the zones.
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Successful completion of the Level Two Completion test—which you can take as many times as you need to—will earn you the Level Two Completion Emblem. This short practice quiz will get you accustomed to the style of our tests, which will help you down the road, or it is simply a great way to review your learning from these lessons.
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If you haven't had enough integral learning for one week, follow the link below to download some supplementary readings to deepen and extend your learning. Most of the readings are excerpts from Ken, but we'll at times include a few articles from other integral authors. If you've read some of this material before, we highly encourage you to read it again—you'll be surprised with how much more you can pull from these readings after you've completed the e-learning lessons.
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The questions we presented earlier don't have easy or direct answers. Instead, they are meant more so as ongoing inquiries—directions to focus your awareness, if for no other reason that to see what shifts emerge. Take a moment to consider these questions again. How are they landing with you now as compared to earlier?
  • What aspect of quadrant theory is currently most difficult for you to grasp? How does that impact your understanding of zones?
  • What is the difference between quadrants and zones understood as dimension-perspectives as compared to just as dimensions or perspectives?
  • Do you have a preference for inside or outside views? Which is easiest for your to engage? Does this change depending in the LH or RH quadrants? What about upper or lower quadrants?
  • What is the benefit of a zone view as compared to a quadrivial view?

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