The Embodied Practitioner Bookshelf

In the Embodied Practitioner Certification (EPC) program there are nine core theory domains that we feel
are essential for effective leadership in today’s complex world. In each level of the program we focus on
five of these. (see Table below). Three of the theory domains are taught in each level of EPC with a
slightly different focus being emphasized each year. The other two theory domains each level are unique
to that program. In addition to these core theory domains there is a specific somatic tradition that is part of
each level of EPC. There are a few required books or audio CDs associated with each level of EPC that
support our engagement with these somatic traditions.

Within each core theory domain there are two books – one that serves as an introduction to the main
theoretical aspects of that domain and one that serves as an exemplar of application of that theory. In
effect, as an EPC participant you are expected to read a book approximately every month. Also, you are
expected to type up a 3-5 page single spaced book summary of one book per each theory domain. Within
this summary you are to identify 3-5 key concepts from that theory domain and discuss them in the
context of your project or life.

Reading, on average a book a month, provides you with an opportunity to use this activity to further
develop yourself as an Embodied Practitioner. Thus, we recommend that you engage in the practice of
Integral Reading, which will support your retention and enactment of the material you read.

The Practice of Integral Reading

Integral reading involves reading with all of ourselves – not just with our mind, which is often how we
engage in reading. We use a simple Body/Mind/Spirit framework to support us in reading from the various
major dimensions of ourselves. Thus integral reading is the combination of reading with all of our body
(embodied reading), all of our mind (engaged reading), and all of our soul (ensouled reading). Here is a
brief description of each.

Embodied Reading: Being attentive to somatic and emotional responses. Notice experiences
such as the desire to read more, feelings of frustration, when you are triggered or touched, and in
what ways are you engaged or disengaged at the somatic level. And while reading allow yourself
to tend to your body (e.g., get up and stretch, go for a short walk to digest a paragraph).

Engaged Reading: Being attentive to mental responses. Notice experiences such as when you
feel intellectually stimulated or overwhelmed, can see anew, powerful “ah ha” moments,
confusion and clarity. And while reading allow yourself to make notes in the margins, underline
important passages, outline arguments to better understand their logic and notice new types or
kinds of thoughts.

Ensouled Reading: Being attentive to transpersonal and archetypal responses. Notice

experiences such as feeling connected to humanity or the planet, synchronicities, powerful
symbols, and energetic shifts. And while reading or after it allow yourself to express yourself
through art or poetry, notice your dreams, and reveries during the day.

Integral Reading affords us the opportunity to turn the typical intellectual activity of reading into a full-
spectrum activity that engages all of ourselves. The practice of Integral Reading powerfully supports us to
more fully integrate the value of the material we are reading into our personal and professional lives and
then put the insights we gain from reading into action.

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Book Journal Process
Each week use the following guidelines and questions to support your 1-page write up that reflects on the
reading (approximately 2-3 chapters worth) and begins to link it to your project and competencies.

Write ½ a page exploring links to your project. Here are some guiding questions:

• How does the content help you understand aspects of your project?
• How does the content reveal new aspects of your project?
• How does the content increase your skillfulness as a practitioner?

Write ½ a page exploring links to your competencies. Here are some guiding questions:

• How does the content help you understand aspects of your competencies?
• How does the content reveal new aspects of your competencies?
• How does the content increase your presence as a practitioner?

Note each Application Round (in the Integral Application Method) provides a space for some summative
remarks and reflections from your reading. Feel free to draw from and quote directly from your Integral
Book Journal.

Book Summaries
During the EPC Program you will be reading ten books approximately 1 book a month. As part of your
certification requirements you will be doing five 2-3-page book summaries. You will choose one of the two
books per category of Theory and discuss the key concepts and ideas relevant to your project or life.
Each summary should be single spaced in 12 point Times Roman font.

Email these to your mentor each month prior to your session with them so they can review them and
discuss it with you in the session.

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EPC Core Theory Domains Per Level

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Integral Theory Integral Theory Integral Theory

(Introduction) (Intermediate) (Advanced)

Embodiment Theory Embodiment Theory Embodiment Theory

(Cognitive Science) (Subtle Energy) (Biophenomenology)

Developmental Theory Developmental Theory Developmental Theory

(Cook-Greuter & Torbert) (Kegan & Jacques) (Fischer, Basseches, &
Commons)

Polarity Theory Shadow Theory U Theory

Complexity Theory Systems Theory Futures Theory

EPC Core Somatic Traditions Per Level

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Body-Mind Centering Continuum Meditating with the

(Bonnie Bainbridge-Cohen) (Emily Conrad) Body
(Reggie Ray)

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 Embodied Practitioner Certification Level 1
Required Reading

Integral Theory - Introduction

Frank Visser’s Ken Wilber: Thought as Passion [For Individuals new to Integral Theory]
Sean Esbjörn-Hargens’ Integral Theory in Action [For Individuals already familiar with Integral Theory]
Ken Wilber et al. Integral Life Practice.

Embodiment Theory – Cognitive Science

Mark Johnson’s The Meaning of the Body: Aesthetics of Human Understanding

Huberto Maturana & Francisco Varela’s The Tree of Knowledge: The Biological Roots of Human
Understanding

Developmental Theory – Cook-Greuter & Torbert

Angela Pfaffenberger et al’s The Postconventional Personality

William Torbert’s Action Inquiry: The Secret of Timely and Transformative Leadership

Polarity Theory

Barry Johnson’s Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems

Gareth Hill’s Masculine & Feminine: The Natural Flow of Opposites in the Psyche

Complexity Theory

Melanie Mitchell’s Complexity: A Guided Tour

Jeffrey Goldstein et al’s Complexity and the Nexus of Leadership

Somatic Tradition: Body-Mind Centering

Andrea Olsen’s BodyStories: A Guide to Experiential Anatomy

Linda Hartley’s Wisdom of the Body Moving: An Introduction to Body-Mind Centering
Caryn McHose et al’s How Life Moves: Explorations in Meaning and Body Awareness

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 Embodied Practitioner Certification Level 2
Required Reading

Integral Theory - Intermediate

Ken Wilber’s Sex, Ecology, Spirituality: The Spirit of Evolution

Mark DeKay’s Integral Sustainable Design: Transformative Perspectives

Embodiment Theory – Subtle Energy

Cyndi Dale’s The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of your Energetic Anatomy

nd
Rupert Sheldrake’s The Presence of the Past (2 Edition)

Developmental Theory – Kegan & Jacques

Jennifer Garvey Berger’s Changing on the Job: Developing Leaders for a Complex World
Elliott Jaques’ Requisite Organization: A Total System for Effective Managerial Organization and
st
Managerial Leadership for the 21 Century

Shadow Theory

Robert Johnson’s Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche
Connie Zweig’s Romancing the Shadow: A Guide to Soul Work for a Vital, Authentic Life.

Systems Theory

Donella Meadow’s Thinking in Systems: A Primer

Michael Jackson’s Systems Thinking: Creative Holism for Managers

Somatic Tradition: Continuum

Emilie Conrad’s Life on Land: The Story of Continuum

Bonnie Gintis & Emilie Conrad’s Engaging the Movement of Life: Exploring Health and
Embodiment Through Osteopathy and Continuum.

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 Embodied Practitioner Certification Level 3

Required Reading

Integral Theory - Advanced

Mark Edwards’ Organisational Transformation for Sustainability: An Integral Metatheory

st
Roy Bhaskar et al. Metatheory for the 21 Century: Critical Realism and Integral Theory in Dialogue.

Embodiment Theory - Biophenomenology

Evan Thompson’s Mind in Life: Biology, Phenomenology, and the Sciences of Mind
Jose Luis Bermudez Thinking without Words

Developmental Theory – Fischer, Basseches, & Commons

Michael Basseches and Michael Mascolo’s Psychotherapy as a Developmental Process

Michael Commons et al’s Beyond Formal Operations: Late Adolescent and Adult Cognitive
Development

U Theory

Otto Scharmer’s Theory U: Leading from the Future as it Emerges

Otto Scharmer and Katri Kaufer’s Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego-system to
Eco-system Economics

Futures Theory

Jorgen Randers’ 2052: A Global Forecast for the Next Forty Years
Ray Kurzweil’s The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology

Somatic Tradition: Meditating with the Body

Reggie Ray’s Touching Realization

Reggie Ray’s Your Breathing Body Vol 1 (audio – 10 cds)
Reggie Ray’s Your Breathing Body Vol 2 (audio – 10 cds)