Presentation – Ken Wilber and Integral Theory by Guðbjörg Eggertsdóttir
Interconnectedness & Personal Connection in AQAL
1. Personal Connection Begins in the UL (Inner Experience)
The quiet center of the system.
• Self-awareness
• Emotional literacy
• Identity narratives
• Inner safety
• Meaning-making
A person’s inner world is not isolated—it’s a generator.
Every thought, belief, and emotion becomes a signal that travels outward into the other quadrants.
Metaphor: UL is the tuning fork. Whatever frequency it holds, the rest of the system vibrates with it.
2. Personal Connection Expands Through the LL (Shared Meaning)
Where “I” becomes “We.”
• Trust
• Belonging
• Shared stories
• Cultural codes
• Emotional resonance
Personal connection is not just about two people liking each other—it’s about co-creating a shared reality.
Metaphor: LL is the field between us. It’s invisible, but it shapes everything.
3. Personal Connection Expresses Itself in the UR (Behavior)
The visible layer.
• Eye contact
• Tone of voice
• Body language
• Listening
• Micro-choices
Even the smallest gesture can reinforce or disrupt connection.
Metaphor: UR is the choreography. Connection becomes visible through movement.
4. Personal Connection Is Held by the LR (Systems)
The often-forgotten layer.
• Meeting structures
• Communication channels
• Power dynamics
• Rituals
• Physical space
Systems can either support connection or suffocate it.
Metaphor: LR is the container. It determines whether connection can breathe.
5. The Deep Insight: Personal Connection Is a Four-Quadrant Dance
A person cannot connect deeply with others if:
• Their UL is overwhelmed
• Their LL environment lacks trust
• Their UR behaviors signal withdrawal
• Their LR systems create pressure or fragmentation
Connection is not a single act—it’s a systemic phenomenon.
6. A Bilingual Mini-Map for Personal Connection
UL – Innri tenging
Hvernig ég tengist sjálfum mér.
LL – Sameiginleg tenging
Hvernig við sköpum merkingu saman.
UR – Sýnileg tenging
Hvernig tengingin birtist í hegðun.
LR – Kerfislæg tenging
Hvernig umgjörðin styður eða hindrar tengingu.
This bilingual framing offers clarity and accessibility for Icelandic audiences.
7. Facilitation Exercise: “The Four Doors of Connection”
Participants explore connection through four prompts:
UL – “What is alive in me right now?”
(Emotion, intention, need)
UR – “How do I show up when I’m connected?”
(Behavior, posture, tone)
LL – “What helps me feel safe with others?”
(Trust, resonance, shared meaning)
LR – “What structures help me stay open?”
(Rituals, agreements, environment)
This exercise opens people up gently, fostering authenticity without forcing vulnerability.
8. Why This Matters for Your Work
You’re teaching people how to connect—with themselves, each other, and the whole.
Connecting – A Leadership Imperative by Guðbjörg Eggertsdóttir
7 H H 
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