NON-DUALITY
Beyond Nonduality:
The Nonduality of the Absolute Self and Relative Bodies (Manifesting or Actualizing Nonduality)
It is audacious to say there is something beyond non-duality, and in a way there isn't, there can't be in the Absolute sense. BUT, from the Relative side of the Nonduality, there are various stages of development, which this chapter will serve as a brief overview.
Key Point #1: While the Nondual Absolute is equally present in a both proton and a Mahatma from the absolute side, there are MANY levels and stages of evolution in the Kosmos and several stages of development in human beings from the Relative side. Developing to the highest rung of the Relative requires 'apparent' purification, devotion/Love, and mindfulness in the Relative 3 Bodies (Physical, Astral, Causal). I say apparent, because ultimately everything is Sunya or Pure Consciousness. But this is not nothing, this is nothing and everything! Better to say Empty Fullness then emptiness. And the relative side of the Kosmos there are many degrees to fullness and embrace. This makes God, according to Yogananda, delightfully varied throughout Eternity.
Key Point #2: Realizing the Nondual Self seems to be a unique Human potential. And as a Human species, there are MANY levels and lines of development. If you want an exhaustive overview of the various levels, refer to Ken Wilbers many books especially Transpersonal Psychology where he has over 100 charts mapping out the deep structure of levels of human consciousness and evolution.
Depending how you organize it, you can have anywhere from 5 to 13 levels where consciousness develops and perfects its 3 bodies, gaining experience and wisdom throughout the 3 major realms of the Kosmos.
While the Nondual Self (or no separate self) is readily accessible for any maturely developed Ego, and nonduality can be truly seen and realized beginning in the middle levels of development, it is not the end of the Story. I say maturely developed, because a certain maturity is needed in creating a cohesive Self, Wilber is one of the few people really emphasizing this very important point. Just because you are no longer a separate self, there is usually still much work to be done to perfect the manifestation of nonduality in the 3 realms and 3 bodies.
Sure if you are happy experiencing nonduality and the freedom it gives, this is not necessary, nothing is, but don't think you have reached the ultimate realization. What I mean is that a Rainbow Buddha Body or undergoing Ascension or other such possibilities requires your 3 bodies to be purified and perfected.
Key point #3: While everything is already perfect from the Absolute Side of the Kosmos, it is NOT so from the relative side. As Wilber points out many nondual teachers are strong on the Absolute Wisdom but weak on the Relative, giving an imbalanced perspective of the Kosmos in my opinion. I won't name names, but there are many nondual teachers, say meditation is not necessary, diet doesn't matter, emotions just arise, including anger, etc. I am sorry, but if you are teaching nonduality and are getting angry in traffic, there is still work to be done on the Relative side of your development. It is not that these teachers are wrong, it is their message is imbalanced and incomplete. And frankly I enjoy the message of the radical nonduality teachers sometimes called neoAdvaita, because it really helps to emphasize the Absolute side of truth. So actually with the right perspective, I recommend such teachers for that purpose.
I want to keep this chapter simple and to the point, so I am going to stick to the core levels of development mapped out by Wilber and other transpersonal Psychologists.
The Nonduality of the Absolute Self and Relative Bodies (Manifesting or Actualizing Nonduality)
It is audacious to say there is something beyond non-duality, and in a way there isn't, there can't be in the Absolute sense. BUT, from the Relative side of the Nonduality, there are various stages of development, which this chapter will serve as a brief overview.
Key Point #1: While the Nondual Absolute is equally present in a both proton and a Mahatma from the absolute side, there are MANY levels and stages of evolution in the Kosmos and several stages of development in human beings from the Relative side. Developing to the highest rung of the Relative requires 'apparent' purification, devotion/Love, and mindfulness in the Relative 3 Bodies (Physical, Astral, Causal). I say apparent, because ultimately everything is Sunya or Pure Consciousness. But this is not nothing, this is nothing and everything! Better to say Empty Fullness then emptiness. And the relative side of the Kosmos there are many degrees to fullness and embrace. This makes God, according to Yogananda, delightfully varied throughout Eternity.
Key Point #2: Realizing the Nondual Self seems to be a unique Human potential. And as a Human species, there are MANY levels and lines of development. If you want an exhaustive overview of the various levels, refer to Ken Wilbers many books especially Transpersonal Psychology where he has over 100 charts mapping out the deep structure of levels of human consciousness and evolution.
Depending how you organize it, you can have anywhere from 5 to 13 levels where consciousness develops and perfects its 3 bodies, gaining experience and wisdom throughout the 3 major realms of the Kosmos.
While the Nondual Self (or no separate self) is readily accessible for any maturely developed Ego, and nonduality can be truly seen and realized beginning in the middle levels of development, it is not the end of the Story. I say maturely developed, because a certain maturity is needed in creating a cohesive Self, Wilber is one of the few people really emphasizing this very important point. Just because you are no longer a separate self, there is usually still much work to be done to perfect the manifestation of nonduality in the 3 realms and 3 bodies.
Sure if you are happy experiencing nonduality and the freedom it gives, this is not necessary, nothing is, but don't think you have reached the ultimate realization. What I mean is that a Rainbow Buddha Body or undergoing Ascension or other such possibilities requires your 3 bodies to be purified and perfected.
Key point #3: While everything is already perfect from the Absolute Side of the Kosmos, it is NOT so from the relative side. As Wilber points out many nondual teachers are strong on the Absolute Wisdom but weak on the Relative, giving an imbalanced perspective of the Kosmos in my opinion. I won't name names, but there are many nondual teachers, say meditation is not necessary, diet doesn't matter, emotions just arise, including anger, etc. I am sorry, but if you are teaching nonduality and are getting angry in traffic, there is still work to be done on the Relative side of your development. It is not that these teachers are wrong, it is their message is imbalanced and incomplete. And frankly I enjoy the message of the radical nonduality teachers sometimes called neoAdvaita, because it really helps to emphasize the Absolute side of truth. So actually with the right perspective, I recommend such teachers for that purpose.
I want to keep this chapter simple and to the point, so I am going to stick to the core levels of development mapped out by Wilber and other transpersonal Psychologists.
![Picture](/uploads/4/5/1/6/4516117/published/2022-02-05-18-23-53.png?1644105553)
The Paradox of Spirit:
If a staircase is used to symbolize the evolution of consciousness, then the very top symbolizes Spirit as the highest level of attainment, which is transcendentally apart and above all other forms of manifestation. The paradox is that Spirit totally and evenly infuses each and every stair from bottom to top. Spirit is equally present in a proton, planet or galaxy. It is equally present in an amoeba, tree and Self realized Master. Spirit is equally present in dirt and deity, the physical and heavenly realms and everything therein.
So while you can realize Spirit or nonduality at any sufficiently developed step (as each step in the Absolute sense is soaking in Spirit and made of Spirit), there are always higher levels of development from the Relative side, higher steps of Spirit, made of Spirit. The Ultimate goal is to not only realize each step is Nondually Spirit (Nondual Prajna/Rigpa), and further, not also to just climb to the highest Step (Evolution/Highest Actualization), but to do both which is realize each step is Spirit AND Climb to the Highest Step. But it doesn't stop there. Thirdly you (the Self) ultimately come back Down and Bring that Realization to the Causal, then Astral and then Physical as an involutionary Manfestation/Actualization. You not only become a Buddha, you come down to be a Boddhisattva embodying the paradox: "There are no 'others' to save, therefore I vow to save them all!"
If a staircase is used to symbolize the evolution of consciousness, then the very top symbolizes Spirit as the highest level of attainment, which is transcendentally apart and above all other forms of manifestation. The paradox is that Spirit totally and evenly infuses each and every stair from bottom to top. Spirit is equally present in a proton, planet or galaxy. It is equally present in an amoeba, tree and Self realized Master. Spirit is equally present in dirt and deity, the physical and heavenly realms and everything therein.
So while you can realize Spirit or nonduality at any sufficiently developed step (as each step in the Absolute sense is soaking in Spirit and made of Spirit), there are always higher levels of development from the Relative side, higher steps of Spirit, made of Spirit. The Ultimate goal is to not only realize each step is Nondually Spirit (Nondual Prajna/Rigpa), and further, not also to just climb to the highest Step (Evolution/Highest Actualization), but to do both which is realize each step is Spirit AND Climb to the Highest Step. But it doesn't stop there. Thirdly you (the Self) ultimately come back Down and Bring that Realization to the Causal, then Astral and then Physical as an involutionary Manfestation/Actualization. You not only become a Buddha, you come down to be a Boddhisattva embodying the paradox: "There are no 'others' to save, therefore I vow to save them all!"
Sahaja Samadhi - Nondual natural state that is always Present. (Sunya)
But realizing Sahaj Samadhi, the journey just begins.
But we can develop further:
Nature Mysticism/Body Ascension = Mastering Physical
Deity Mysticism/Mastering Astral (Rainbow Buddha Body) = Savikalpa Samadhi
Formless/Causal Mysticism = Nirvikalpa Samadhi = Witness/Creator/god, Mastering Causal
Constant Consciousness = Being aware during all States, Waking, Dreaming and Deep Sleep.
MahaSunya Realization [Ultimate] - Manifesting the emptiness of all three bodies and seeing the deepest Oneness of Purusha and Prakriti and that which is beyond both. There is absolutely nothing beyond MahaSunya. Anandamayi Ma said MahaSunya is the Truest Expression of God.
But realizing Sahaj Samadhi, the journey just begins.
But we can develop further:
Nature Mysticism/Body Ascension = Mastering Physical
Deity Mysticism/Mastering Astral (Rainbow Buddha Body) = Savikalpa Samadhi
Formless/Causal Mysticism = Nirvikalpa Samadhi = Witness/Creator/god, Mastering Causal
Constant Consciousness = Being aware during all States, Waking, Dreaming and Deep Sleep.
MahaSunya Realization [Ultimate] - Manifesting the emptiness of all three bodies and seeing the deepest Oneness of Purusha and Prakriti and that which is beyond both. There is absolutely nothing beyond MahaSunya. Anandamayi Ma said MahaSunya is the Truest Expression of God.
Vedanta 3 - fold Process made more Complete
Sravana, Manana, and Niddhyasana.
1) Sravana: listening to the teachings sravana
Here them from the mouth of guru, spoken or chanted
2) Manana: Think about teachings, ponder over them, question and reflection. No person, everything happening spontaneously, or awareness...
Reasoned it out, make things consistent with no contradictions. Realization and it is free. No self or no time.
Really getting that can lead to a huge freedom. 'Self' realization...
But not the end of the story. Suffering comes and goes. Happiness and Bliss come and go. Some teachers say you don't need to practice or do anything more, but this ignores purification aspects of the teachings.
3)Niddhyasana: Actualization of those teachings (meditation/purification/devotion/samadhis). Not suffering, no ego.
After purification, there is nothing left, cannot put into words.
Grasping the essence, I am THAT which never changes, the essence of which is untouched, whose nature is Being, Presence. Sat (being/presence) Chit (consciousness/knowing Ananda - Bliss or happiness. Just knowing I am that is not enough, we have to embody it.
Physical diet and Cleaning. Energy medicine (Biofield), Devotion aspect of teaching. Emotions start to purify. Yoga, Meditation and shadow work, positive thinking and therapy. Meditation and savikalpa and nirvikalpa samadhi important to actualize the self in the body. Sahaj samadhi can come at any mature stage, but realize there are varying degrees of Sahaj from the relative side. For example, you can have non dual waking consciousness but lose consciousness in deep sleep. This points to a lack of causal body integration. Similarly for the dream state and astral body. Are you aware in your dreams?
Usually you need to stay in this samadhi for some time before the body mind purifies.
Addictive tendencies fall away (can even with non dual glimpse or realization, but there is always still 'work that can be done' with physical , astral causal.
Bodymind as illusory of it is, needs to be purified to embody the truth.At the end of it, there is no one here.
Still part of the illusion of journey (nitta).
Stages that appear to happen and why not climb to the top and actualize the highest development in tandem with the non dual realization of the Self (or no separate self).
Sravana, Manana, and Niddhyasana.
1) Sravana: listening to the teachings sravana
Here them from the mouth of guru, spoken or chanted
2) Manana: Think about teachings, ponder over them, question and reflection. No person, everything happening spontaneously, or awareness...
Reasoned it out, make things consistent with no contradictions. Realization and it is free. No self or no time.
Really getting that can lead to a huge freedom. 'Self' realization...
But not the end of the story. Suffering comes and goes. Happiness and Bliss come and go. Some teachers say you don't need to practice or do anything more, but this ignores purification aspects of the teachings.
3)Niddhyasana: Actualization of those teachings (meditation/purification/devotion/samadhis). Not suffering, no ego.
After purification, there is nothing left, cannot put into words.
Grasping the essence, I am THAT which never changes, the essence of which is untouched, whose nature is Being, Presence. Sat (being/presence) Chit (consciousness/knowing Ananda - Bliss or happiness. Just knowing I am that is not enough, we have to embody it.
Physical diet and Cleaning. Energy medicine (Biofield), Devotion aspect of teaching. Emotions start to purify. Yoga, Meditation and shadow work, positive thinking and therapy. Meditation and savikalpa and nirvikalpa samadhi important to actualize the self in the body. Sahaj samadhi can come at any mature stage, but realize there are varying degrees of Sahaj from the relative side. For example, you can have non dual waking consciousness but lose consciousness in deep sleep. This points to a lack of causal body integration. Similarly for the dream state and astral body. Are you aware in your dreams?
Usually you need to stay in this samadhi for some time before the body mind purifies.
Addictive tendencies fall away (can even with non dual glimpse or realization, but there is always still 'work that can be done' with physical , astral causal.
Bodymind as illusory of it is, needs to be purified to embody the truth.At the end of it, there is no one here.
Still part of the illusion of journey (nitta).
Stages that appear to happen and why not climb to the top and actualize the highest development in tandem with the non dual realization of the Self (or no separate self).
![Picture](/uploads/4/5/1/6/4516117/published/2021-03-05-16-46-07_1.png)
Analogy: Spirit or UR is the Wetness of the Ocean and its Waves!
The traditional analogy is the ocean and its waves. The wetness of the water is the Isness, Thusness or Suchness of UR/Spirit.
All waves are equally wet. One wave is not wetter than another, no matter how big it is. And therefore if I discover the wetness of one wave, any wave, I have discovered the wetness of ALL. When I recognize the Non-dual Isness of my own being, right here and right now, than I have discovered the ultimate truth of all other waves as well. Ultimate Reality is not a really big wave or Tsunami set apart from other little waves, but it is the wetness equally present in ALL waves, high or low, big or small, sacred or profane, Jesus and Hitler both equally.
Liberation is not about catching a really big wave, like a surfer in Australia or Hawaii, but simply NOTICING, the always already present wetness of whatever wave I am surfing, even the small waves here in Sarasota Florida which is symbolic of me. I am then released from the narrow Identification with this little wave called ME, because I am fundamentally one with all other waves - there is no wetness outside of me, because there is NO ME, only the ocean of wetness and ALL its waves. I am literally ONE with the entire Ocean and the BIG SURPRISE is that I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN!! Ultimate reality is the Wetness, Suchness, Emptiness, Beingness, and utter transparency of the Great Perfection that is Ultimate Reality.
At the same time, I do not know all the details of the other waves, their height, spam, weight, number, etc. These are RELATIVE TRUTHS I will have to discover wave by wave, endlessly. This is symbolic of the endless stages and states of spiritual evolution from body to mind to soul to spirit and beyond (and from waking, to subtle to causal states of awareness - and the near infinite variations and gradations of these states and stages - endless worlds, endless experiences, endless evolutionary unfolding, etc. But ultimate reality is neither a stage NOR a state, but the always already underlying ground or wetness of ALL states and ALL stages in the descending arcs of involution and evolution. And there are many practices that Aim to get you one the biggest wave, but they are missing the boat, or rather, that water on which is floats.
Materialists look for more money, bigger houses, nicer cars, travel the world, love and marriage, etc. Material pursuits are endless yet within all this seeking and persuing is the Beloved misting your face moment by moment with the wetness of all that is.
And then there are Spiritual seekers which is just a more subtle Seeking. Many spiritual seekers try many techniques, study with many gurus, seeking the next spiritual high. and also travel the world like the materialist but usually with a focus on some guru, community, or even cave. The always already mist of Spirit or UR is well, MISSED!
To constantly seek is to constantly MISS!
The traditional analogy is the ocean and its waves. The wetness of the water is the Isness, Thusness or Suchness of UR/Spirit.
All waves are equally wet. One wave is not wetter than another, no matter how big it is. And therefore if I discover the wetness of one wave, any wave, I have discovered the wetness of ALL. When I recognize the Non-dual Isness of my own being, right here and right now, than I have discovered the ultimate truth of all other waves as well. Ultimate Reality is not a really big wave or Tsunami set apart from other little waves, but it is the wetness equally present in ALL waves, high or low, big or small, sacred or profane, Jesus and Hitler both equally.
Liberation is not about catching a really big wave, like a surfer in Australia or Hawaii, but simply NOTICING, the always already present wetness of whatever wave I am surfing, even the small waves here in Sarasota Florida which is symbolic of me. I am then released from the narrow Identification with this little wave called ME, because I am fundamentally one with all other waves - there is no wetness outside of me, because there is NO ME, only the ocean of wetness and ALL its waves. I am literally ONE with the entire Ocean and the BIG SURPRISE is that I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN!! Ultimate reality is the Wetness, Suchness, Emptiness, Beingness, and utter transparency of the Great Perfection that is Ultimate Reality.
At the same time, I do not know all the details of the other waves, their height, spam, weight, number, etc. These are RELATIVE TRUTHS I will have to discover wave by wave, endlessly. This is symbolic of the endless stages and states of spiritual evolution from body to mind to soul to spirit and beyond (and from waking, to subtle to causal states of awareness - and the near infinite variations and gradations of these states and stages - endless worlds, endless experiences, endless evolutionary unfolding, etc. But ultimate reality is neither a stage NOR a state, but the always already underlying ground or wetness of ALL states and ALL stages in the descending arcs of involution and evolution. And there are many practices that Aim to get you one the biggest wave, but they are missing the boat, or rather, that water on which is floats.
Materialists look for more money, bigger houses, nicer cars, travel the world, love and marriage, etc. Material pursuits are endless yet within all this seeking and persuing is the Beloved misting your face moment by moment with the wetness of all that is.
And then there are Spiritual seekers which is just a more subtle Seeking. Many spiritual seekers try many techniques, study with many gurus, seeking the next spiritual high. and also travel the world like the materialist but usually with a focus on some guru, community, or even cave. The always already mist of Spirit or UR is well, MISSED!
To constantly seek is to constantly MISS!
Levels
From the very beginning of the manifest universe, apparently starting with the Big Bang, the universe was evolving. And what the evolutionary process contained from the very start, was a creative drive to self organization, more and more inclusiveness, increasing complexity and unity and wholeness. "A Creative advance into Novelty" or called order out of Chaos. The process is transcend and include. Any new emergence reality is indeed a creative advance into novelty. And as it emerges into the already existing world, it certainly is new or novel. It goes beyond or transcends what is already there, but it Cannot be 100% novel or would not fit in with anything. It has to have continuity with whatever exists, so it includes it as well, it transcends and includes.
And thus we see over billions of years, this evolutionary process unfold, and it does indeed have an inherent drive to more and more complexity, more unity and wholeness and more consciousness.
So from quarks to more holistic atoms, to more holistic molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organism... and through the entire tree of life.
Whatever the cause of all this, the increasing unity is undeniable, the universe is NOT winding down, the universe is winding up.
When humans came on the scene a few million years ago, that came with all the holons that evolution had emerged so far. Human Bodies totally included and embraced quarks and atoms, molecules, cells, and a reptilian brain stem, a mammalian limbic system and a primate neocortex. Human holon transcended all of those and included all of those.
And then as human beings began their own evolution, they continued this process of transcend and include, especially in their own interiors, humans began creating values and worldviews and morals that were ever more inclusive and embracing whole.
But what is not usually understood is that from birth, humans undergo a process of growing up, consisting of well researched, well documented stages or levels of interior development. This is incredibly important for understanding your own life.
And many ways at every point that you are alive, you have the capacity to create new and novel things and it is important to discover your own sources of creativity.
But in other ways you are traveling down a long road, many of whose features have already been laid down, by those that have previously travelled and your creative acts are occurring within those already given structures. It is truly important to see and understand these structures because that awareness will give your creativity and freedom even more room to move and flourish.
You'll also be a little bit stunned I believe to see how much of the world around you and in you, can be explained by understanding these structures within which they are occurring.
From the very beginning of the manifest universe, apparently starting with the Big Bang, the universe was evolving. And what the evolutionary process contained from the very start, was a creative drive to self organization, more and more inclusiveness, increasing complexity and unity and wholeness. "A Creative advance into Novelty" or called order out of Chaos. The process is transcend and include. Any new emergence reality is indeed a creative advance into novelty. And as it emerges into the already existing world, it certainly is new or novel. It goes beyond or transcends what is already there, but it Cannot be 100% novel or would not fit in with anything. It has to have continuity with whatever exists, so it includes it as well, it transcends and includes.
And thus we see over billions of years, this evolutionary process unfold, and it does indeed have an inherent drive to more and more complexity, more unity and wholeness and more consciousness.
So from quarks to more holistic atoms, to more holistic molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organism... and through the entire tree of life.
Whatever the cause of all this, the increasing unity is undeniable, the universe is NOT winding down, the universe is winding up.
When humans came on the scene a few million years ago, that came with all the holons that evolution had emerged so far. Human Bodies totally included and embraced quarks and atoms, molecules, cells, and a reptilian brain stem, a mammalian limbic system and a primate neocortex. Human holon transcended all of those and included all of those.
And then as human beings began their own evolution, they continued this process of transcend and include, especially in their own interiors, humans began creating values and worldviews and morals that were ever more inclusive and embracing whole.
But what is not usually understood is that from birth, humans undergo a process of growing up, consisting of well researched, well documented stages or levels of interior development. This is incredibly important for understanding your own life.
And many ways at every point that you are alive, you have the capacity to create new and novel things and it is important to discover your own sources of creativity.
But in other ways you are traveling down a long road, many of whose features have already been laid down, by those that have previously travelled and your creative acts are occurring within those already given structures. It is truly important to see and understand these structures because that awareness will give your creativity and freedom even more room to move and flourish.
You'll also be a little bit stunned I believe to see how much of the world around you and in you, can be explained by understanding these structures within which they are occurring.
![Picture](/uploads/4/5/1/6/4516117/published/ecbx6hxuwaatqiv.jpg?1644277904)
Over 100 different developmental models from around the world.
Each is covering same general ground, namely the growth and development of overall human capacities. All come at it from a different angle with slightly different assumptions. But what is interesting is that most of them agree that there are 6-8 major levels or stages of an overall growth and development of a human being.
General overview of the most common features that each stage has according to the survey of all of them. Actually moving through these levels is the processing of growing up, because that's what humans do. Virtually from the moment of conception, human beings grow and develop and evolve.
Waking up is a direct experience of an ultimate ground of being and all of that ground, 100% of that groundless ground, is fully present in every single point of space and time in the manifest universe. Even in our own development, each stage is equally "Wet". Because of that every person at each stage of growing up, can experience this waking up precisely because it is full present everywhere.
Waking up and growing up are relatively independent.
Every level is an increase in consciousness. In what we can think of as the altitude of development, like various paths or (lines of development) moving up a mountain to higher and higher altitudes. And each of those paths up the mountain has a different view of the world, but all of the paths move through the same altitudes. The altitudes are the levels or stages of consciousness. These stages are akin to the size of the wave in our wave/ocean analogy. Bigger and wider experiences.
These altitudes are talked about somewhat differently depending on which path/line you are talking about.
The different levels are part of humanities evolution as well as individual.
Ego Centric "I"
EthnoCentric "We"
WorldCentric "Us"
Each is covering same general ground, namely the growth and development of overall human capacities. All come at it from a different angle with slightly different assumptions. But what is interesting is that most of them agree that there are 6-8 major levels or stages of an overall growth and development of a human being.
General overview of the most common features that each stage has according to the survey of all of them. Actually moving through these levels is the processing of growing up, because that's what humans do. Virtually from the moment of conception, human beings grow and develop and evolve.
Waking up is a direct experience of an ultimate ground of being and all of that ground, 100% of that groundless ground, is fully present in every single point of space and time in the manifest universe. Even in our own development, each stage is equally "Wet". Because of that every person at each stage of growing up, can experience this waking up precisely because it is full present everywhere.
Waking up and growing up are relatively independent.
Every level is an increase in consciousness. In what we can think of as the altitude of development, like various paths or (lines of development) moving up a mountain to higher and higher altitudes. And each of those paths up the mountain has a different view of the world, but all of the paths move through the same altitudes. The altitudes are the levels or stages of consciousness. These stages are akin to the size of the wave in our wave/ocean analogy. Bigger and wider experiences.
These altitudes are talked about somewhat differently depending on which path/line you are talking about.
The different levels are part of humanities evolution as well as individual.
Ego Centric "I"
EthnoCentric "We"
WorldCentric "Us"
1. Archaic Stage (Crimson) - Major transitions from the great apes to the first humans a few million years ago. Represents basic needs from food, water, air, warmth, shelter, rest.
In todays world, it represents the infant's awareness in the first few months of life.
Most developmentalists call it a fusion state, or a pure state of non-differentiation.
The basic idea is that awareness cannot differentiate between itself and the environment. It is basically just matter and basic physiological needs (material fusion, not spiritual unity).
2. Magic or Impulsive Stage ( Magenta) - Subject and object are just beginning to be differentiated but still confusion giving rise to animism. With animism, all objects in the world, from rocks to rivers to trees to humans are given human characteristics. Cannot take role of other. (Green and blue ball). Kid with head under pillow thinks that because it cannot see others, others cannot see it.
Everything that arises as an extension of its own self. This stage shares the body's sheer impulsiveness. Shows difficulty in delaying immediate gratification. Child around ages 1-3.
Manipulate symbol of a thing and you believe you actually changed the real thing.
Does not grasp wholeness. There is a name for every bend in the river, but not for the river. Because self just differentiated from surroundings, it remains close to environment, so ecological wisdom here to transcend and include.
Rarely found in adults because we have evolved.
Voodoo... Magic not psychic.
3. Magic Mythic Stage / PowerGods (Red) - self just learning to differentiate itself 10,000 years ago. Safety , security and power.
Where is the source of capacity to perform miracles. Rain rain, voodoo, I DO THE MIRACLES. Mythic Age.. Reality magic capacity starting to be doubted. Magic capacity switched from humans, to supernatural beings or Gods. What ritual , practice, prayer, will make God happy. Magic transferred to Gods.
Opportunistic stage - dog eat dog... Egocentric , Mafia, NWO, Corrupt Gov. Graves call it Ego-centric ... This stage pinnacle of egocentric or narcisstic.
They think they and they alone are a power god.
4. Mythic Literal (amber) - Conventional - Ethnocentric -Conformist - Conop
The world does contain many other egos, many other selfs, not just mine and sooner or later we start to figure this out. Ethnocentric, group focused... Not just 1st person person, but We space. My subject and your subject together is intersubjective or **Culture**. Now some sort of we space, which in general is lower left quadrant.
Group becomes focal point of identity and your ROLE in this organization. Need to conform to what this group wants. No more of that egocentric or narcissism. You do not want to stand out, you want to FIT IN. If you break the law or go against the dogma, you'll be shamed or much worse. In the Middle Ages for example, if you didn't fit in with the communities religious beliefs, than the Spanish Inquisition would like to have a little chat with you. Hanged, stoned, or burned at the stake.
Ethnocentric means you fit in with the accepted ethnic reality, whatever that might be.
Race, gender or religious or political dogma. But your group indentity matters. This ethnocentric conformist stage
Law and order, good boy and nice girl, my country right or wrong, my religion,
Conventional or conformist
You think your belief is the one and only belief that has any merit in any field.
Culture Wars both far right and far left.
Traditional and conservative values.
5. Rational (orange) - Reason - Formop - Merit Stage - Profit - Progress - Excellence - Can now take a 3rd Person Perspective ... Freedom for all race , creed, caste color.
Individuality arise from conformity and an individuality arises that wishes to achieve and succeed on its on. Can now identify with all groups.
Moves from ethnocentric to world centric
Modernity and modern values
No longer rely on a magic rain dance or a mythic god to get what you want,
Mythic god announced dead by Nietzche
Modern chemistry, physics, biological
Universal
6. Pluralistic - Postmodern - (Green) - Multicultural plurality, diversity, Inclusion and relativism ... All sorts of cultures and all viewpoints ... Hierarchies rejected.
All values claimed to be equal - egalitarianism
So not only does everybody start the race at the same time, everybody finishes the race at the same time.
Equal opportunity and outcome
All truth is relative, no universe truth. Truth is socially constructed. All knowledge is a social construction. Performative contradiction. Needs more integral understanding.
First Tier Stages driven by deficiency needs, where the person tries to get something it is missing.
Second Tier Stages are drive by Being needs, driven by a fullness that just keeps overflowing.
A capacity for true integration comes only at second tier.
Systemic, holistic, synthesizing and integrated consciousness emerges. Integral
Integral aperspective - Genuinely inclusive stages. First emergence of a genuine nature. All 1st tier stages simply fragmented approximations. Just beginning to emerge.
Only about 5%... 4% teal, 1% turquoise. Genuine human solidarity. We need an accurate map to get there. Leading edge of evolution at this time.
7. Holistic - Teal
8. Integral - Turquoise
In todays world, it represents the infant's awareness in the first few months of life.
Most developmentalists call it a fusion state, or a pure state of non-differentiation.
The basic idea is that awareness cannot differentiate between itself and the environment. It is basically just matter and basic physiological needs (material fusion, not spiritual unity).
2. Magic or Impulsive Stage ( Magenta) - Subject and object are just beginning to be differentiated but still confusion giving rise to animism. With animism, all objects in the world, from rocks to rivers to trees to humans are given human characteristics. Cannot take role of other. (Green and blue ball). Kid with head under pillow thinks that because it cannot see others, others cannot see it.
Everything that arises as an extension of its own self. This stage shares the body's sheer impulsiveness. Shows difficulty in delaying immediate gratification. Child around ages 1-3.
Manipulate symbol of a thing and you believe you actually changed the real thing.
Does not grasp wholeness. There is a name for every bend in the river, but not for the river. Because self just differentiated from surroundings, it remains close to environment, so ecological wisdom here to transcend and include.
Rarely found in adults because we have evolved.
Voodoo... Magic not psychic.
3. Magic Mythic Stage / PowerGods (Red) - self just learning to differentiate itself 10,000 years ago. Safety , security and power.
Where is the source of capacity to perform miracles. Rain rain, voodoo, I DO THE MIRACLES. Mythic Age.. Reality magic capacity starting to be doubted. Magic capacity switched from humans, to supernatural beings or Gods. What ritual , practice, prayer, will make God happy. Magic transferred to Gods.
Opportunistic stage - dog eat dog... Egocentric , Mafia, NWO, Corrupt Gov. Graves call it Ego-centric ... This stage pinnacle of egocentric or narcisstic.
They think they and they alone are a power god.
4. Mythic Literal (amber) - Conventional - Ethnocentric -Conformist - Conop
The world does contain many other egos, many other selfs, not just mine and sooner or later we start to figure this out. Ethnocentric, group focused... Not just 1st person person, but We space. My subject and your subject together is intersubjective or **Culture**. Now some sort of we space, which in general is lower left quadrant.
Group becomes focal point of identity and your ROLE in this organization. Need to conform to what this group wants. No more of that egocentric or narcissism. You do not want to stand out, you want to FIT IN. If you break the law or go against the dogma, you'll be shamed or much worse. In the Middle Ages for example, if you didn't fit in with the communities religious beliefs, than the Spanish Inquisition would like to have a little chat with you. Hanged, stoned, or burned at the stake.
Ethnocentric means you fit in with the accepted ethnic reality, whatever that might be.
Race, gender or religious or political dogma. But your group indentity matters. This ethnocentric conformist stage
Law and order, good boy and nice girl, my country right or wrong, my religion,
Conventional or conformist
You think your belief is the one and only belief that has any merit in any field.
Culture Wars both far right and far left.
Traditional and conservative values.
5. Rational (orange) - Reason - Formop - Merit Stage - Profit - Progress - Excellence - Can now take a 3rd Person Perspective ... Freedom for all race , creed, caste color.
Individuality arise from conformity and an individuality arises that wishes to achieve and succeed on its on. Can now identify with all groups.
Moves from ethnocentric to world centric
Modernity and modern values
No longer rely on a magic rain dance or a mythic god to get what you want,
Mythic god announced dead by Nietzche
Modern chemistry, physics, biological
Universal
6. Pluralistic - Postmodern - (Green) - Multicultural plurality, diversity, Inclusion and relativism ... All sorts of cultures and all viewpoints ... Hierarchies rejected.
All values claimed to be equal - egalitarianism
So not only does everybody start the race at the same time, everybody finishes the race at the same time.
Equal opportunity and outcome
All truth is relative, no universe truth. Truth is socially constructed. All knowledge is a social construction. Performative contradiction. Needs more integral understanding.
First Tier Stages driven by deficiency needs, where the person tries to get something it is missing.
Second Tier Stages are drive by Being needs, driven by a fullness that just keeps overflowing.
A capacity for true integration comes only at second tier.
Systemic, holistic, synthesizing and integrated consciousness emerges. Integral
Integral aperspective - Genuinely inclusive stages. First emergence of a genuine nature. All 1st tier stages simply fragmented approximations. Just beginning to emerge.
Only about 5%... 4% teal, 1% turquoise. Genuine human solidarity. We need an accurate map to get there. Leading edge of evolution at this time.
7. Holistic - Teal
8. Integral - Turquoise
Sunya & MahaSunya
Void and Great Void
Journey Only Begins with Experience of No-Self
Sunya (Void) and Mahasunya (Great Void) explained by Anandamayi Ma
Form is really void. One should see that freedom from form really means the realization that form itself is void (emptiness is form, form is emptiness - heart sutra). In this way the world (of subjects and objects) reveals itself as void (sunya) before merging into the Great Void (Mahasunya). The void that is perceived with the world is a part of Prakriti (matter), and therefore still form. From this Void one will have to proceed to the Great Void.
Ma once said, Mahasunya is His (God's) form. She also said, "Only for the Supreme it is possible to be everything and yet nothing, and vice-versa.
What is evidence from Ma's life and teaching is the Ultimate Reality or the Absolute is a great resolution of all opposites and a mystical unity of all contradictions. What seems to be a contradiction for the intellect is a resolution for the revelation. Where the mind fails, intuitive realization wins.
Sri Vidya and Manifestation -
Mahasunya which is emptiness or the Void of the Supreme is like a musical instrument that sounds as one plays. She said "jemon bajabe temon sunbe" which translates to "as you play, so you hear".
It is THIS playing and hearing that gives rise to this relativistic world leading to various philosophies of Reality and the many divergent theories about God, world and soul. If there is no play, no question then as the Real abides as Real without any 'theory'. Reality is not a theory. Theories are 'of' mind and meant 'for' the mind.
Ma's Philosophy in Two Expressions
1) Ja Tai/Hai - Ya-Ta - Ja Ta - What Is. is
Ya - whatsoever (physical, subtle, causal) - all experiences and expressions whatever they are.
Ta - THAT or Absolute/Ultimate Reality
2) Jo Ho Jaye - Whatever Happens, Happens
Final Stage of Surrendering to God. Everything is fine.
Hai means Sat, Existence.
If you believe God as with a form, he has a form
If you believe God as formless he is formless
Ma Said, "He Is, Is Not, Is. Whatever he is, he is what you perceive him as."
And of course, there is nothing other than God!
There is only Para-Brahma, Supreme Soul - only the One God.
Void and Great Void
Journey Only Begins with Experience of No-Self
Sunya (Void) and Mahasunya (Great Void) explained by Anandamayi Ma
Form is really void. One should see that freedom from form really means the realization that form itself is void (emptiness is form, form is emptiness - heart sutra). In this way the world (of subjects and objects) reveals itself as void (sunya) before merging into the Great Void (Mahasunya). The void that is perceived with the world is a part of Prakriti (matter), and therefore still form. From this Void one will have to proceed to the Great Void.
Ma once said, Mahasunya is His (God's) form. She also said, "Only for the Supreme it is possible to be everything and yet nothing, and vice-versa.
What is evidence from Ma's life and teaching is the Ultimate Reality or the Absolute is a great resolution of all opposites and a mystical unity of all contradictions. What seems to be a contradiction for the intellect is a resolution for the revelation. Where the mind fails, intuitive realization wins.
Sri Vidya and Manifestation -
Mahasunya which is emptiness or the Void of the Supreme is like a musical instrument that sounds as one plays. She said "jemon bajabe temon sunbe" which translates to "as you play, so you hear".
It is THIS playing and hearing that gives rise to this relativistic world leading to various philosophies of Reality and the many divergent theories about God, world and soul. If there is no play, no question then as the Real abides as Real without any 'theory'. Reality is not a theory. Theories are 'of' mind and meant 'for' the mind.
Ma's Philosophy in Two Expressions
1) Ja Tai/Hai - Ya-Ta - Ja Ta - What Is. is
Ya - whatsoever (physical, subtle, causal) - all experiences and expressions whatever they are.
Ta - THAT or Absolute/Ultimate Reality
2) Jo Ho Jaye - Whatever Happens, Happens
Final Stage of Surrendering to God. Everything is fine.
Hai means Sat, Existence.
If you believe God as with a form, he has a form
If you believe God as formless he is formless
Ma Said, "He Is, Is Not, Is. Whatever he is, he is what you perceive him as."
And of course, there is nothing other than God!
There is only Para-Brahma, Supreme Soul - only the One God.