Based on Jean Gebser and Brain Swimme’s Evolution of Consciousness and Cosmology Theories

Francie A. White
California Institute of Integral Studies

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa will be explored within the context of consciousness evolution, using Jean Gebser’s unique structure of consciousness theory, which discerns unique differences in humanity’s fundamental perception of reality and the construct of meaning in each epoch of time. A new paradigm of treatment for anorexia nervosa is introduced in this work, The Eating Disorder Integral Treatment Model (ED-ITM), the first recovery model to bring the implications of physics, consciousness and cosmology discoveries of the last century to the psychological community. The ED-ITM is an adjunct, integral theoretical treatment model designed for all eating disorders, with potential application for other mental health problems. Current standard clinical treatment shows poor outcome studies for anorexia nervosa. The entrenched symptoms of anorexia nervosa would normally be socially valued, since willpower fiercely isolates the intellect from the physical body, with competitive and focused goals, driven by an ego-identity utilizing literal, rigid, powers of objectification. These qualities separating intellect from body, mind from nature suggest anorexia nervosa is a blueprint of Gebser’s mental structure of consciousness, one that is in trouble. Cosmologist Brian Swimme joins Gebser and other science philosophers in replacing the outdated epistemology of science with an optimistic, holistic new cosmology where consciousness is primary. These theories are central to the ED-ITM.