Levels of existence

Warning: This is probably going to be boring to most everyone who reads it, but it is what I have been thinking about for the past few days.

I read an article in The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology a couple of nights ago. Ken Wilber reviews one theory of levels of existence that humans progress through. Don Beck and Christopher Cowan outline the following levels:

1. Beige: Archaic-Instinctual. This is the level of basic survival where basic necessities and safety are priorities. Survival occurs based on habits and instincts. This level of existence can be seen in primitive societies, newborns, people going through extreme crises, mentally ill persons, etc.

2. Purple: Magical-Animistic. Individuals at this level believe in good and bad swarming the earth and blessing or cursing others/things respectively. This "good" and "bad" determines events that occur in the environment. Individuals believe in magical spirits, curses, spells, etc. This level of existence can be seen in individuals believing in voo-doo like magic, good luck charms, and superstitions. Individuals in third-world countries tend to reside in this level, and this level can also be observed in gang members and athletic teams.

3. Red: Power Gods. Individuals at this level of existence begin emerging as autonomous individuals. They begin to see that they have individual power or that others have power over them, so the environment is filled with threats and predators. One must fight to overcome and enjoy life to the fullest. Examples of this level of existence are a toddler going through the "terrible twos," adolescents, feudal kingdoms, those that lord power over others.

4. Blue: Mythic Order. "Life has meaning, direction, and purpose, with outcomes determined by an all-powerful Other or Order." Value systems are set and if one varies from the value system, there may be eternal consequences. On the other hand, if one abides by the direction or rules, one is rewarded. There is law and order. Social hierarchies are observed and followed. There is "one right way and only one right way to think about everything." This level of existence is seen in Puritan America, religious fundamentalism, codes of chivalry and honor, Moral majority, and patriotism.

5. Orange: Scientific Achievement. An individual who has reached this level of development has once again gained individual autonomy. However at this stage, he or she seeks truth through deduction and reasoning (the scientific process). Rational thinking dominates and the environment is seen as something that can be manipulated for one's own gain. "The laws of science rule politics, the economy, and human events." Individuals compete with others at this level; the winners have more than the losers. This level of existence can be seen on Wall Street, emerging middle classes around the world, in materialism, and in liberal self-interest.

6. Green: The Sensitive Self. Individuals reaching this stage of existence rebel against "greed, dogma, and divisiveness." Emotions supersede cognition. There is resistance to hierarchy; instead lateral bonding and equality are revered. There is emphasis on community and decisions are reached through consensus. All values are seen as important, and individuals have the right to value what they deem valuable. There is no right or wrong if it is good for that individual. This stance is often called pluralistic relativism. This level is seen in postmodernism and humanistic psychology. Other places this stance is seen is in the Greenpeace movement, animal rights movement, and the human rights movement.

7. Yellow: Integrative. At this level of existence, individuals realize that hierarchies (power differences) exist in life naturally. Priority is placed on flexibility, spontaneity, and functionality. Whereas equality is valued, excellence is also noted. "Knowledge and competency should supersede rank, power, status, or group." The world is organized based upon the existence and intertwining of different levels of existence by different people. These levels of development are acknowledged and respected as contributions to reality.

I have difficulty understanding this final level of existence, so instead of summarizing, I'm going to quote Wilber's description.

8. Turquoise: Holistic. "Universal holistic system, holons/waves of integrative energies; unites feeling with knowledge (centaur); multiple levels interwoven into one conscious system. Universal order, but in a living, conscious fashion, not based on external rules (blue) or group bonds (green). A 'grand unification' is possible, in theory and in actuality. Sometimes involves the emergence of a new spirituality as a meshwork of all existence. Turquoise thinking uses the entire spiral; sees multiple levels of interaction; detects harmonics, the mystical forces, and the pervasive flow-states that permeate any organization."

So my question is this: At what level of existence would you place yourself? More specifically (and I might be leading a discussion about this next Sunday for bible class), where would you place your spiritual existence according to these levels?

It's interesting to note that Wilber points out that debates among individuals or groups on differing levels of existence will not be resolved unless development occurs. He states, "No amount of orange scientific evidence will convince blue mythic believers; no amount of green bonding will impress orange aggressiveness; no amount of turquoise holarchy will dislodge green hostility--unless the individual is ready to develop forward through the dynamic spiral of consciousness unfolding. This is why 'cross-level' debates are rarely resolved, and all parties usually feel unheard and unappreciated."

Good stuff to ponder on. Sorry if it was boring. Thanks for reading.