Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The archetype of Manjushri holds a lotus in one hand and a flaming sword in the other — wisdom and discernment. This is the divine masculine trying to come through each of us. Figure out who you are. Figure out your purpose. Protect it fiercely.
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Excerpted from "The Sword and the Lotus: Sacred Masculinity in a Time of Metacrisis":
integrallife.com/the-sword-and-the-lotus-sacred-masculinity-in-a-time-of-metacrisis
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Free Email Course on Building Your Integral Life: integrl.link/course
Our website: integrl.link/site
Participate in our daily Integral Life Practice sessions: integrl.link/calendar
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Integral thoughts on Twitter: integrl.link/tw
The archetype of Manjushri holds a lotus in one hand and a flaming sword in the other — wisdom and discernment. This is the divine masculine trying to come through each of us. Figure out who you are. Figure out your purpose. Protect it fiercely.
---
Excerpted from "The Sword and the Lotus: Sacred Masculinity in a Time of Metacrisis":
integrallife.com/the-sword-and-the-lotus-sacred-masculinity-in-a-time-of-metacrisis
---
Free Email Course on Building Your Integral Life: integrl.link/course
Our website: integrl.link/site
Participate in our daily Integral Life Practice sessions: integrl.link/calendar
Follow our news on Facebook: integrl.link/fb
Integral thoughts on Twitter: integrl.link/tw
![Ready, Steady, Grow: The Art and Science of Vertical Development [Preview]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tCEajcTXdzU/mqdefault.jpg "Ready, Steady, Grow: The Art and Science of Vertical Development [Preview]
In this insightful conversation, Corey deVos and Beena Sharma explore the concept of vertical development and its importance in todays world. Beena, with over 30 years of experience in the field, shares her journey and evolving understanding of vertical development.
The discussion covers several key areas:
- The difference between horizontal and vertical development
- Common challenges people face when growing into later stages of development
- How vertical development can help address global challenges and metacrises
- Practical advice and practices for fostering vertical development
- The importance of polarity thinking in personal growth and understanding complex issues
Beena emphasizes that vertical development is not a goal but an outcome of how we live and make sense of the world. She stresses the importance of integrating earlier stages of development and warns against complacency or self-congratulation at later stages.
The conversation also touches on the application of vertical development to global issues, the role of AI in development, and the importance of having both power and perspective to effect change.
Beena introduces her VEDA training programs, which offer in-depth exploration of vertical development for personal growth and professional application. The dialogue concludes with an invitation to the Integral community to engage with these programs and continue their developmental journey. To learn more about these training opportunities, click here:
https://integrallife.com/veda-training
Throughout the discussion, Beena and Corey highlight the transformative potential of understanding and applying vertical development principles in various aspects of life and society.")
