The Origin of Temple Kenosis
I founded Integral Transformative Bodywork (ITB) because it was requested of me. I was a teacher at a massage school in Atlanta.The more I shared what work/technique(s) I used in my practice with the students, the more they asked for education and guidance about it. This holistic approach I had naturally applied was appealing to them because they sought the same approach for their own practice. The task of translating what I intuitively understood to an actual educational modal was more of a challenge than I expected. This was the beginning of ITB.
Eventually ITB was fleshed out and sharing it was easy. A group of massage students arose out of the larger interested group to take on the responsibility of carrying this tradition forward and ITB as a spiritual practice naturally formed. ITB came from a therapeutic inquiry yet the spiritual connection arose rhizomally. So I declared that ITB was as much a therapeutic model as it was a spiritual life practice. For ITB practitioners and their clients these two models often naturally overlapped, though there would slowly emerge a clear community (both clients and practitioners) that would lean more towards ITB as life practice (some used the word spiritual some just called it a ‘good way to do life.’). So we organized gatherings here and there to support both models and make space for folks to apply ITB as they please. These folks have been practicing in this way for several years.
The psychedelic element has been present well before the formal arrangement of Temple Kenosis (TK). Myself and others would gather to incorporate different types of ITB centered psychedelic inquiry and practice. It was here that we began to see the sweet marriage that TK would soon codify and protect. Psychedelics were centralized as a primary practice because they contributed in monumental ways to the elements of ITB -the 5 Pillars, 3 Foundational Practices, & 3 Phases of Transformation (Full Recovery). This was why Temple Kenosis officially and legally emerged after ITB.
The word kenosis has a Greek derivation and means “to empty, the action of emptying.” I found it striking that there are several traditions around the world that speak of the spiritual life, or enlightenment as “surrendering or giving away” of something. How common the idea and experience of being emptied of our superficial concerns only to be filled with Spirit and Love. How curious that we see this repetitive metaphor of becoming “a hollow bone” or instrument to be played (noting that most instruments are hollow) by higher power. And moreover, how it is this emptiness that infuses the relationship between the I and higher power. In fact the deep practice in Buddhism is the exploration or experience of different “types of Emptiness.” Thus, as the founder of this tradition and living an Integral life, how fitting to apply this action of emptying to the name. Central to my own life practice is emptiness; whether applied to my integration, maturation, or liberation. I find myself in total agreement with the adepts and masters of the past from around the world that much of being human is emptying what has accumulated.
The application of the term temple is best considered via the 4 quadrants. The Temple of It, one's own body must be tended to, made available, and explored. The Temple of Its, one’s environment, the systems we live within, and how we are both molded by and impact said systems. The Temple of We, one’s dedication to relating, intimacy, and empathy with our community, our meaning in our community, and our revelations while relating. The Temple of I, one’s sacred interior, the territory of insight, integration, and maturation. What we point to is the consideration that all these temples can be made sacred, each of us are constantly giving and receiving from each temple, and it is best to be awake to these temples rather than unconscious of them.
TK asks us to empty the Temple of I, It, It’s, & We and see what then remains. Who are we before, during, and after we empty these temples? How do we do life before, during and after we empty these temples? How do we relate to our family, friends, lovers, and enemies before, during and after we empty these temples? TK has no prophet, no prophecy. We only offer up invitations to information, experiences, and practices that span the globe and are as ancient as the nervous system. These invitations make no promises and are flush with opportunity. Our Fools are not gatekeepers but partners, not masters but experienced guides, we are unfinished, not-two, not-knowing.