Explore Up the Ages with Karen Shearer Voorhees!

When we look at what humanity has come from—and moved through—to arrive where it is today, what now faces us feels far less overwhelming.

You are warmly invited to join an eight-week adventure. Early next year, Karen Voorhees will lead a small discussion group exploring human history through the lens of developmental thinkers such as Jean Gebser, Ken Wilber, Jean Piaget, and others. Together, participants will trace the arc of human cultural evolution—from the dawn of our species through the Stone Ages, the rise of agriculture, the Industrial Revolution, modernity, and post-modernity—before turning toward what contemporary visionary leaders suggest may lie ahead.

The course is designed to be fun, playful, and above all hopeful—a celebration of the human experiment on this planet. The central thesis is that when larger developmental patterns underlying humanity’s share of cosmic history become visible, today’s apocalyptic-feeling events begin to make more sense, the present feels less dire, and possible paths forward appear more hopeful.

One of the primary motivations for the course is a deep love of the humanities. Karen will share favorite examples of art, literature, poetry, and music to illuminate the journey Up the Ages.

There is no fee for this course, as it is a developmental prototype—intended as much as a discussion group as a course. Participants are invited because they are known and trusted contributors whose input is valued. Insights from this exploratory offering may later inform the creation of a more formal course to be offered to the broader Integral community.

Sessions meet on Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM — February 12 through April 2, 2026 (Feb 12, 19, 26; Mar 5, 12, 19, 26; Apr 2).

The upper limit for this group will be 12 people. Click this link to register now.