The Iron Law of Integrity

Ken Cloke on integrity:

“
The Iron Law of Integrity is really quite simple. Whenever we act without integrity, even at a tiny, subtle, subconscious level, we subdivide into separate, dissimilar, opposing parts, somewhat like the cartoon image of a devil over one shoulder and an angel over the other. One part recognizes that what we are doing is wrong, while the other wants to go ahead and do it anyway.

When we behave disrespectfully to others, or act in ways we know are wrong, whether as a result of poor self-esteem or anger or fear, we weaken our integrity, spirit, heart, and sense of self, even if we can rationalize or justify our actions.

Sometimes we weaken our integrity in microscopic ways, but these microscopic weaknesses produce macroscopic effects. Ultimately, these microscopic cracks accumulate and reach a point where they create a crisis or crossroads, making possible a return to unity and an end to a divided self.
“

from The Crossroads of Conflict

Three important points for me:

1. Every act not in integrity with our highest self (which everyone does, everyday) is “remembered” by our self-concept, regardless of how we might feel about it at the time. Every such act is an attack on our selfhood.

2. Rather than (1) leading to a guilt-ridden approach, it is (only?) through all these integrity-faults that we have a shot at returning to wholeness and unity. The road requires inner conflict (reckoning?) and nobody wants to do that.

3. Luckily we don’t have to “want” to do that. We just ended up being forced to when things get bad enough.