CONSPIRE 2014
Richard Rohr
Copyright © 2014 Center for Action and Contemplation
THE PRESENT CONSENSUS
ON LEVELS OF
CONSCIOUSNESS
EGOCENTRIC EARLY LEVELS
Archaic/Infantile Level: Unitive Innocence and
Absorption (Beige)—.1% of adults
Magical world of powers: Animistic world of
magic (Purple)—10%
Imperial order and glory: Might makes
right/Feudalism (Red)—20%
My Mythic Truth: Secure world of Unquestioned
Truth/True Believers (Blue)—40%
MINOR DEATH OF
EGOCENTRICITY REQUIRED
TO MOVE FORWARD:
SOCIOCENTRIC MIDDLE
LEVELS
Rational/Organizational: Effectiveness, technique,
intelligence (Orange)—30%
Pluralistic Equality: Assumes “equal rights” is the
highest level (Green). So close to the finish line that
much of today’s sophisticated society stops here, if it
even arrives here (“Boomeritis” a combination of
arrogance and individualism which will not let go of its
separateness and superiority—grace is required). It can
be called “Flatland,” contemptuous of both lower and
higher stages—10% of the world population, 20% of the
USA, and 15% of the people in power in the West.
Major death of ego: Normally must be initiated by
Reality/God/Circumstances. No one goes here willingly or with
understanding. The true “Dark Night.”
Wisdom or Non-Dual Consciousness: Early stage
enlightenment (Yellow and Turquoise Stages). Only now can we
have the freedom and ability to INCLUDE the value of previous
stages and not need to hate or reject any of them. A
“rediscovery of hierarchy” whereby you are fully open to stages
beyond where you are now! Cosmic humility. First time this
happens! True INTEGRATION—less than 2% of the population,
less than 1% of those in power.
The Journey of
Faith Development
Each movement forward tends to throw
out the previous stages, and the
immediately preceding stage it throws out
with a vengeance! Most revolutions and
reformations up to now. We must stop
doing this.
Purple Level (Popular Catholicism
through the Middle Ages)
To Transcend: God as a spirit that I can
coax and control by magic & superstition
To Include: Perhaps wearing “a medal” or
a cross helps my focus and attention.
Red Level (Crusader Mentality,
Inquisition, and the early Reformation)
To Transcend: Tribal belonging and forced
membership to impose belief
To Include: Loyalty to a Tradition and a
group is also good.
Blue Level (The Reformation and
Counter Reformation Catholicism)
To Transcend: Faith as doggedly holding
out and holding on to beliefs
To Include: Patience, Perseverance, and
the Humility of Belief
Orange Level (Mainline Protestantism
today and Vatican II Catholicism)
To Transcend: Propriety, reason, and
process as the disguised meaning of faith
To Include: A proper use of intelligence
and group governance
Green Level (The postmodern mind in
any group)
To Transcend: Pluralistic Equality is the
highest meaning of enlightenment.
To Include: Protecting human rights and
human dignity
SECOND TIER
CONSCIOUSNESS
Yellow and Turquoise Levels (Mysticism in
various stages)
Only at this stage CAN YOU both transcend
and include every previous stage as both bad
and good, which means you have gotten over
the arrogance and individualism of the “Mean
Green” level and the self-sufficiency of all
levels, and you can compassionately
understand and support the good at every
level.
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Copyright © 2014 Center for Action and Contemplation