Unfolding Pattern of Human
Development
Dr. Rodney H. Clarken
Northern Michigan University
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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This presentation explores
• four models and several theories of
individual and collective human
development. How they can illuminate
our understanding of the unfolding
patterns of human development with be
briefly explored.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Humans collectively and
individually
• go through parallel developmental or
evolutionary stages. For humanity these
processes may have taken centuries or
millennia to pass through, whereas an
individual may go through an analogous
stage in months or years.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Development may appear to
go
• in a random or unpredictable pattern, but an
order and system are beginning to be
uncovered by evolutionary and developmental
theorists.
• Individual development affects collective
development and visa versa.
• Individual and collective consciousness develop
in similar patterns and in similar stages.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Developmental Approach
• There are many different developmental
stages, worldviews and values, some more
complex than others
• Many problems of one level can only be solved
by evolving to a higher level
• Facilitating development leads to individual and
social progress and welfare
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Model 1: Mineral, Plant, Animal
and Human Stages of Body, Mind
and Soul
• Individually and collectively, humans
unfold their perfections gradually starting
as a one-celled being, progressing
hierarchically through the evolutionary
stages of mineral, plant and animal,
though a unique creation with all the
human potentialities inherent in them
from the beginning.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Stages of Material
Development
•Mineral
•Plant
•Animal
•Human
Matter
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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These are the same stages
• that the world has gone through
evolutionarily over millions of years
• First, there was matter that formed into
minerals, that over time created the right
conditions for the evolution of plants, that
were followed by animals, which set the
stage for humans.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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The human being is the latest
• and highest realm of creation,
incorporating in itself the qualities and
attributes of the earlier and lower
creations: mineral, plant & animal
• These physical developments that took
billions of years to accomplish in
evolution, we pass through in nine
months within the womb
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Hierarchy of material creation
Time
Human
Animal
Plant
Mineral
M
a
t
t
e
r
Relative abundance of realm
(Adapted from Laszlo)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Human nature
• The human being combines all the lower
levels of creation of mineral, pant and
animal in its body, and shares their
qualities.
• Humans add the element of mind, based
on a more evolved brain, and have the
capacity to transcend them all with its
soul.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Human Nature
Mineral
Plant
•Body Animal Physical
•Mind Human Mental
•Soul Divine Spiritual
Each higher level encompasses
and transcends the lower
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Stages of human development
• The body, mind and soul each go through
a mineral, plant, animal and human stage
of development in the process of
realizing their full potential.
• For more about this model of the
unfolding pattern of human development,
see “The Process of Becoming Your True
Self” (web cast or PowerPoint)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Model 2: Knowing, Loving and Willing through
the Body, Mind and Soul
•Know
•Body
•Mind
•Soul
•self
•Love
•True Self
•Will
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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•Knowing
•Thinking
•Truth
•Head
•Understanding
•Science
mind
•Loving
soul
body
•Feeling
•Beauty
•Heart
•Unity
•Arts
•Willing
•Doing
•Good
•Hand
•Justice
•Morals
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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To learn more about this model of
human development go to
• http://wwwinstruct.nmu.edu/education/rclarken/PowerPoin
tTemporary.htm
• For a web cast or PowerPoint presentation
• Following we will look at two other models for
insights into the pattern of human development
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Model 3: Comparing Individual
and Collective Development in
Infancy, Childhood, Youth and
Adulthood
(Prenatal, fetal, embryonic)
•
Infant
•
Child
•
Youth (adolescence)
•
Adult (maturity)
(Elderly, old age)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Prenatal
• Though the fetus may take the
appearance and qualities of different
levels of creation, i.e., mineral, plant,
animal, it is a human being from it
beginning as a one-celled creature.
Evolutionarily humans have gone through
analogous stages over millions of years.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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1. Infancy
• As an infant, the human basically is operating
at an animal level, focusing on survival,
motivated by instincts and physical drives, and
gradually developing mastery of the sensory
and motor capacities that we share in common
with animals. In fact, most animals excel
humans in all these areas at this and later
stages of development.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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2. Childhood
• The mind, which distinguishes humans
from animals, begins to gradually
develop and consciousness expands
going through many stages as it
develops.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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3. Youth
• At puberty, the body and mind go through
changes, triggered by changes in
hormones, which further expand human
capacities.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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4. Adult
• Adulthood is marked by further
physiological, mental, psychological,
social and moral developments, when
human capacities reach there highest
levels and attain maturity.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Old age
• The physical and mental capacities begin
to wane.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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We will compare individual and
social-cultural developmental
theories using these four
stages
1. Infant
2. Child
3. Youth
4. Adult
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Self Center/Identity
1. Infant (I): Physio and Bio Centered
2. Child (C): Ego and Role Centered
3. Youth (Y): Ethno and Socio Centered
4. Adult (A): World and Principled
Centered
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Most theorists recognize these
• four commonly understood stages of life as
legitimate, but have not attempted to fit their
developmental theories to them. I have chosen
to use these four stages in life because of their
value for generalizing, understanding and
comparing. As a result, the different
developmental theories may not fit neatly into
these four categories. Their stages often
overlap with more than one level. I refer you to
their original research for a more accurate
understanding of the theories included.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Also, different individuals and
societies
• develop at different rates and have many
different aspects to them. For instance, they
may be highly developed (mature adult) in one
area and less developed in others (child or
youth). In this model, I place most modern
societies at a youth developmental level
proceeding toward maturity. Individual
development will be affected by the culture and
society in which it lives. These are relative
definitions that have a foundation in subjective
and objective individual and collective reality.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Self Sense (Cook-Greuter)
Self Stages (Loevinger)
1. Pre-social, symbiotic, impulsive
2. Self-protective, rule oriented, conformist
3. Self-conscious, goal oriented,
conscientious (conformist)
4. Individualistic, autonomous, egowitnessing (integrated)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Perspectives / Characteristics
(Cook-Greuter)
1. None
2. 1st to 2nd person
3.
3rd
1. autistic,
undifferentiated
2. self labeling, early
roles
person
4. 4th and multiple
person
3. introspection
4. relativity of self
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Needs (Maslow)
1. Physiological
2. Safety
3. Belongingness
4. Esteem, Self actualization
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Socio-Emotional (Erikson)
1. Trust, Autonomy
2. Initiative, Industry
3. Identity
4. Intimacy, Generativity, Integrity
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Cognitive (Piaget)/Logic (Baldwin)
1. Sensorimotor
1. pre-logical
2. Pre and Concrete
operations
2. quasi-logical
3. Formal operations
3. logical
4. extra logical
4. Post-formal
operations
(polyvalent)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Moral
(Kohlberg)
(Gilligan)
1. (Pre moral)
1. (Pre moral)
2. Pre conventional
2. Selfish
3. Conventional
3. Care
4. Post conventional
4. Universal care
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Faith (Fowler)/Religious Systems
(Bellah)
1. Preverbal, magical,
projective
2. Mythic-literal
3. Conventional,
Individual reflexive
1. primitive, archaic
2. historic
3. early modern,
modern
4. (emerging)
4. Conjunctive faith,
universalizing
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Ego types (Graves)
1. Autistic, magical animistic
2. Egocentric
3. Sociocentric, multiplistic,
relativistic/individualistic
4. Systemic (integrated)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Worldviews (Beck & Cowan)
1. Instinctive, Magical-animistic
2. Power gods, Absolutist-religious
3. Individualistic-achiever, relativistic
4. Systematic-integrative, global-holistic
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Epochs (Habermas)
1. Archaic (familiazation of male), magical
animistic (tribal kinship, preconventional law)
2. Mythological (conventional law, early state),
mythic-rational (empire)
3. Rational-reflective (nation-state, post
conventional law)
4. World Citizen (global)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Scarce Resource (Habermas)
1. Bodily security (power over nature)
2. Legal security (law and order)
3. Value
4. Meaning
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Socio-cultural
(Gebser)
1. Archaic, magic
2. Mythic
(Wilber)
1. Archaic, Magictyphonic
2. Mythic-membership
3. Mental
4. Integralaperspectival
3. Rational-egoic
4. Integral-centauric
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Social Organization
(A. Taylor)
(S. Effendi)
1. Family, clan, band
1. Family
2. Tribe, territorial,
theocratic empires
2. Tribal, city state
3. National State
3. Sovereign nation
4. World Order
4. Supra-National
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Techno-economic (Lenski) / Age
1. Hunting and
gathering
1. Paleolithic,
Mesolithic
2.
2. Neolithic, Copper,
Bronze
Horticultural,
agrarian
3. Industrial
3. Iron, Enlightenment
4. Informational
4. Globalization
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Model 4: Graves’ Developmental
Theory/Spiral Dynamics (Beck &
Cowan)
• Development “is an unfolding, emergent,
oscillating, spiraling process.”
• Worldviews, mindsets, conceptual
frameworks, feelings, motivations, ethics,
values, biochemistry, neurological
activity, learning, beliefs, etc., are all
stage determined
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Individual – Collective behavior
• Human behavior tends oscillate between
focus on the individual independence
where we express self (“me”), and focus
on the group interdependence where we
sacrifice self (“we”), each attempting to
change, assimilate or accommodate the
other to achieve greater equilibrium
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Individual vs. collective
• Csikszentmihalyi calls it "differentiation"
and "integration";
• Val Geist calls it, "dispersal modes" and
"maintenance modes."
• Howard calls it "diversity generators" and
"conformity enforcers." see http://www.educyberpg.com/IEC/caleb.html
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Graves Eight Levels of Existence:
What each level seeks
1. physiological
satisfaction
5. material pleasure
6. affectionate relations
2. a safe mode of living
3. heroic status, for
power and glory
4. for ultimate peace
7. respect of self
8. peace in an
incomprehensible
world
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Worldview levels (Beck & Cowan)
1. Archaic-Instinctual
2. Animistic/tribalistic
5. Individualisticachiever
6. Relativistic
3. Egocentric
4. Absolutist-religious
7. Systematicintegrative
8. Global-holistic
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1. Archaic-Instinctual (Survival
Sense, “me”)
• Material and physical self identity; mental
barely awakened; pre-social, moral, logical,
verbal; trust vs. mistrust
• Basic survival (bodily security) needs have
priority: food, water, warmth and safety
• Seen in infants, senility, survival situations (.1%
of adult population*) *All % estimated from Beck & Cowan, taken
from Wilber, 2000
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Band together to stay alive
Use instincts and drives just to survive, much like
animals
First human societies: families form for survival and to
perpetuate life, then larger kinship groups and clans
Seeking power over nature, simple hunting and
gathering
Emerged about 100,000 BCE and currently seen is
some primitive hunter-gatherer societies, high
conflict and disaster areas
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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2. Magical-Animistic (Kin Spirits,
“we”)
• Individual subsumed in group with strong
kinship/tribal bonds, symbiotic, autonomy vs.
shame and doubt
• Preoperational, magical and animistic thinking
• Emotional self and punishment/obedience
morality emerging
• Seen in superstitions, rituals, athletic teams,
gangs, tribes (10% pop., 1% power)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Family, tribe, spirits are honored
• Follows spirit being, mystical signs, chief, elders,
ancestors, and the clan; Spirits exist in
ancestors and bond the family/clan/tribe
• Preserves sacred objects, places, events, and
memories
• Observes rites of passage, seasonal cycles, and
tribal customs, advanced hunting and gathering
• Emerged about 50,000 BCE and currently seen
in some third world and tribal societies
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3. Egocentric (Power Gods, “me”)
• Powerful, impulsive, egocentric, heroic; 1st person
perspective, initiative vs. guilt and anxiety, naïve hedonism
morality
• Stands tall, expects attention, demands respect, and calls the
shots
• Enjoys self to the fullest right now without guilt or remorse
• Seen in terrible twos, rebellious youth, frontier mentality,
John Wayne rugged individual types, heroes (20% pop.,
5% power)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Power, action, ego driven
• The world is a jungle full of threats and predators
• Power rules, underlings obey for protection
• Breaks free from any domination or constraint to
please self as self desires. Conquers, out-foxes,
and dominates other aggressive characters
• Emerging about 8,000 BCE, seen in feudal
kingdoms and empires
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4. Conformist Rule (Truth Force,
“we”)
• Mythological and concrete operational thinking, industry vs.
inferiority, conventional approval of others and law and
order morality, ethnocentric
• Absolutist-religious, rules and principles with meaning
determined by all-powerful Other or Order,
• Sacrifice self to the transcendent Cause
• Seen in fundamentalism, patriotism, Boy/Girl Scouts, moral
majority, codes of chivalry and honor (40% pop., 30%
power)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Purposeful, absolutist, “one right
way”
•
Horticultural and agrarian societies, Rigid social hierarchies,
paternalism and Order enforces a code of conduct based on
eternal, absolute principles
•
Righteous living produces stability now and guarantees future
reward
•
Impulsivity is controlled through guilt; everybody has their proper
place
•
Laws, regulations, and discipline build character and moral fiber
•
Emerged about 3,000 BCE, seen in ancient nations, Puritan
America, Confucian China, Dickensian England, Islamic and
Christian fundamentalist
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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5. Scientific Achievement (Strive
Drive, “me”)
• Social contract morality and formal operational
thinking, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives
• Rational, achievement-oriented, individualistic,
seeks objective scientific truth and meaning
• Science rules, use to advance interests
• Seen in liberal self-interest, materialism,
cosmetics & fashion industries (30% pop., 50%
power)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Entrepreneurial, materialistic,
success-driven
•
Change and advancement are inherent within the scheme of
things
•
Progresses by learning nature's secrets and seeking out best
solutions
•
Manipulates Earth's resources to create and spread the abundant
good life
•
Optimistic, risk-taking, and self-reliant people deserve success
•
Societies prosper through strategy, technology, and
competitiveness
•
Emerging about 1700 CE seen in the Enlightenment, the Cold
War, Wall Street, colonialism, corporate states, Industrial
Revolution, capitalism
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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6. The Sensitive Self (Human
Bond, “we”)
• Formal operational thinking; Pluralistic, relativistic,
communitarian, networking, ecological, bonding, subjective;
4th person perspective
• Emphasis on dialogue and relationships: Feelings,
sensitivity, and caring supersede cold rationality
• Universal ethical morality emerging: The human spirit must
be freed from greed, dogma, and divisiveness
• Seen in diversity, politically correct and human rights
movements; collective communities; post modernism;
humanistic psychology (10% pop., 15% power)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Community, harmony, equality
and relativity
• Spreads the Earth's resources and opportunities equally
among all
• Reaches decisions through reconciliation and consensus
processes
• Refreshes spirituality, brings harmony, and enriches human
development
• Emerging about 1850 CE, seen in World Council of
Churches, socialized health care, Greenpeace, post
colonialism
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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7. Integrative (Flex Flow, “me”)
• Post formal operational thinking, universal ethical
morality, autonomous integrated self, world
centric
• Differences integrated into one interdependent
order
• Systematic-integrative, flexible; Unity in Diversity
• Seen in cutting edge thinkers (1% pop., 5%
power)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Natural processes, mutual
realities; live for mutuality
• Life is a kaleidoscope of natural hierarchies, systems, and
forms
• The magnificence of existence is valued over material
possessions
• Flexibility, spontaneity, and functionality have the highest
priority
• Differences can be integrated into interdependent, natural
flows
• Understands that chaos and change are natural
• Emerged about 1950, seen in visionaries, leaders of
thought
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8. Holistic (Global View, “we”)
• Universal holistic system thinking,
multiple levels interwoven together
• Unites feelings with knowledge
• Sees multiple levels of interaction
• Seen in the very leading edge, Gandhi,
Dalai Lama (.1% of pop.)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Harmony, holism, spirituality
• The world is a single, dynamic organism with its own
collective mind
• Self is both distinct and a blended part of a larger,
compassionate whole
• Everything connects to everything else in ecological
alignments
• Energy and information permeate the Earth's total
environment
• Holistic, intuitive thinking and cooperative actions are to be
expected
• Emerged about 1970, not yet seen in society
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Eight Value Systems
1 based on biological urges/drives; physical senses dictate the state of
being
2 threatening and full of mysterious powers, spirit beings which must be
placated and appeased
3 like a jungle where the tough and strong prevail while the weak serve;
nature is an adversary
4 controlled by a Higher Power that punishes evil and eventually rewards
good works and Right living
5 full of resources to develop and opportunities to make things better and
bring prosperity
6 the habitat wherein humanity can find love and purposes through
affiliation and sharing
7 a chaotic organism where change is the norm and uncertainty a
usual state of being
8 a delicately balanced system of interlocking forces in jeopardy in human
hands (adapted from http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/colors.htm)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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What individuals & groups in
each level seek out in life
1 survival; biogenic needs satisfaction; reproduction
2 safety/security; protection from harm; family bonds
3 power/action; asserting self to dominate others; control
4 stability/order; obedience to earn later reward; meaning
5 opportunity/success; competing to achieve results; influence
6 harmony/love; joining together for mutual growth; awareness
7 independence/self-worth; fitting a living system; knowing
8 global community/life force; survival of Earth; consciousness
(adapted from http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/colors.htm)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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How "rational" people might
deal with such a world
1 as natural instincts and reflexes direct; automatic existence
2 according to tradition and ritual ways of group; tribal; animistic
3 asserting self for dominance, conquest, and power; exploitive;
egocentric
4 obediently as higher authority and rules direct; absolutist;
conforming
5 pragmatically to achieve results and get ahead; multiplistic;
achievist
6 responds to human needs; affiliative; relativistic; situational
7 build functional niche to do what one chooses; existential;
systemic
8 experiential to join with other like thinkers; holistic;
transpersonal (adapted from http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/colors.htm)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Transitions between levels
1. Survival/meeting biological needs/instinctive drives & urges
Awakening of a sense of dependent self in a mysterious and
frightening world where being with others means safety
2. Safety/tribal needs/adherence to ritual/obeying
chief(s)/harmony/reciprocity
Awakening of an egocentric self determined to break the
shackles of the family or tribe and become a powerful individual
3. Power/action/excitement/proving individual
prowess/shame/cunning dominance
Awakening of a purposeful self with guilt in search of meaning in
a purposeful existence and reasons why we live and die
4. Purpose/obedience to
authority/stability/rules/meaning/guilt/duty
Awakening of a pragmatic, independence-seeking self who
challenges higher authority and scientifically tests possibilities
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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5. Competition/success/making things better/autonomy/adroit
control/growth
Awakening of a sociocentric self who strives for belonging and
acceptance and needs to discover spirit, inner harmony, peace
6. Affiliation/sustainability/collaboration/consciousness/
fulfillment/sharing/connections
Awakening of an inquiring, interdependent self who no longer needs
approval yet can collaborate when appropriate with diminishing
compulsions or fears
7. Being/functionality/discovery/integralism/responsibilities of
living/connections
Awakening of experiential self who seeks ways of being that use
knowledge to restore natural harmony and balance
8. Experience of holism/accept existential realities/integration of
life energies--the open-ended Graves theory continues as new
thinking systems awaken and coping with life's existential
dichotomies activates new neuronal systems
http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/colors.htm
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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References
• This presentation has drawn from the
works of Ken Wilber and Abdu’l-Baha.
Refer to their writings for more breadth,
depth and clarity on these topics,
especially Wilber’s Integral Psychology
from where most of the comparison data
for this presentation were adapted.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Some web sites used
• http://www.educyberpg.com/IEC/caleb.html
• http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/col
ors.htm
• http://www.spiraldynamics.org/learning/fa
q.htm
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Contact information
Dr. Rodney H. Clarken
Director of Field Experiences and Professor, School of
Education, Northern Michigan University, 1401
Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855-5348
Tel: 906-227-2160 (secretary), 227-1881 (office), 2262079 (home), Fax: 227-2764
Website with info on courses, papers, Baha'i and
China and this presentation: http://wwwinstruct.nmu.edu/education/rclarken
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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Compilation of Quotations
• From the writings of Abdul-Baha and
Shoghi Effendi related to this
presentation are available on the
following slides.
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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“Consciousness of self in man is a
gradual process,
• and does not start at a definite point. It
grows in him in this world and continues
to do so in the future spiritual world. "Man
can certainly recall past experiences in
his evolution, and even when his soul
leaves this world it will still remember its
past.”
(Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 115)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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“The oneness of humankind
• represents the consummation of human
evolution -- an evolution that has had its
earliest beginnings in the birth of family
life, its subsequent development in the
achievement of tribal solidarity, leading in
turn to the constitution of the city-state,
and expanding later into the institution of
independent and sovereign nations.” (Shoghi
Effendi, The Compilation of Compilations vol II, p. 178)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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“The long ages of infancy and
childhood, through which the
• human race had to pass, have receded into the background.
Humanity is now experiencing the commotions invariably
associated with the most turbulent stage of its evolution, the
stage of adolescence, when the impetuosity of youth and its
vehemence reach their climax, and must gradually be
superseded by the calmness, the wisdom, and the maturity
that characterize the stage of manhood. Then will the human
race reach that stature of ripeness which will enable it to
acquire all the powers and capacities upon which its ultimate
development must depend. (Shoghi Effendi, The Compilation of Compilations vol II,
p. 183)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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“In this present cycle there will be
an evolution in civilization
• unparalleled in the history of the world. The world of humanity
has, heretofore, been in the stage of infancy; now it is
approaching maturity. Just as the individual human organism,
having attained the period of maturity, reaches its fullest
degree of physical strength and ripened intellectual faculties
so that in one year of this ripened period there is witnessed an
unprecedented measure of development, likewise the world of
humanity in this cycle of its completeness and consummation
will realize an immeasurable upward progress, and that power
of accomplishment whereof each individual human reality is
the depository of God -- that outworking Universal Spirit -- like
the intellectual faculty, will reveal itself in infinite degrees of
perfection.” (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 37-38)
© Rodney H. Clarken 2004
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When we find truth,
constancy, fidelity, and
love,
• we are happy; but if we meet with lying, faithlessness, and
deceit, we are miserable.
• These are all things pertaining to the soul, and are not bodily
ills. Thus, it is apparent that the soul, even as the body, has its
own individuality. But if the body undergoes a change, the
spirit need not be touched. When you break a glass on which
the sun shines, the glass is broken, but the sun still shines! If
a cage containing a bird is destroyed, the bird is unharmed! If
a lamp is broken, the flame can still burn bright!
• The same thing applies to the spirit of man. Though death
destroy his body, it has no power over his spirit -- this is
eternal, everlasting, both birthless and deathless. (Abdu'lBaha, Paris Talks, ©p.Rodney
65-66)
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Therefore, thank ye God
• that ye have come into the plane of
existence in this radiant century wherein
the bestowals of God are appearing from
all directions, when the doors of the
Kingdom have been opened unto you,
the call of God is being raised, and the
virtues of the human world are in the
process of unfoldment. (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of
Universal Peace, p. 37)
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From the beginning to the end of
his life
• man passes through certain periods or
stages each of which is marked by
certain conditions peculiar to itself. For
instance during the period of childhood
his conditions and requirements are
characteristic of that degree of
intelligence and capacity. (Abdu'l-Baha,
Foundations of World Unity, p. 9)
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Similarly there are periods and
stages
• in the life of the aggregate world of humanity
which at one time was passing through its
degree of childhood, at another its time of youth
but now has entered its long presaged period of
maturity, the evidences of which are
everywhere visible and apparent. Therefore the
requirements and conditions of former periods
have changed and merged into exigencies
which distinctly characterize the present age of
the world of mankind. (Abdu'l-Baha,
Foundations of World Unity, p. 9)
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“The only real difference that
exists
• between people is that they are at
various stages of development.” (Abdu'lBaha, Paris Talks, p. 170-171)
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“In cycles gone by,
• each one of the Manifestations of God hath had
His own rank in the world of existence, and
each hath represented a stage in the
development of humanity. But the Manifestation
of the Most Great Name -- may my life be a
sacrifice for His loved ones -- was an
expression of the coming of age, the maturing
of man's inmost reality in this world of being.”
(Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of
Abdu'l-Baha, p. 56)
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“For growth and development
• depend on one's powers of intellect and
reason, not on one's age or length of
days.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the
Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 141)
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For all beings are connected
together like a chain;
• and reciprocal help, assistance and interaction
belonging to the properties of things are the
causes of the existence, development and
growth of created beings. It is confirmed
through evidences and proofs that every being
universally acts upon other beings, either
absolutely or through association. (Abdu'l-Baha,
Some Answered Questions, p. 178-179 )
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…the development and growth of
man on this earth,
• until he reached his present perfection,
resembled the growth and development of the
embryo in the womb of the mother: by degrees
it passed from condition to condition, from form
to form, from one shape to another, for this is
according to the requirement of the universal
system and Divine Law. (Abdu'l-Baha, Some
Answered Questions, p. 183)
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The wisdom of the appearance of
the spirit in the body is this:
• the human spirit is a Divine Trust, and it must
traverse all conditions, for its passage and
movement through the conditions of existence
will be the means of its acquiring perfections…
• Moreover, these members, these elements, this
composition, which are found in the organism of
man, are an attraction and magnet for the spirit;
it is certain that the spirit will appear in it. So a
mirror which is clear will certainly attract the
rays of the sun. (Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 200-201)
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“It is clear that the reality of
mankind is diverse,
• that opinions are various and sentiments
different; and this difference of opinions, of
thoughts, of intelligence, of sentiments among
the human species arises from essential
necessity; for the differences in the degrees of
existence of creatures is one of the necessities
of existence, which unfolds itself in infinite
forms.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered
Questions, p. 301)
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Love is the:
• breath of the Holy Spirit inspired into the human spirit!
• cause of the manifestation of the Truth (God) in the
phenomenal world!
• necessary tie proceeding from the realities of things
through divine creation!
• means of the most great happiness in both the material and
spiritual worlds! (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p.
525)
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Love is the:
• cause of development to every enlightened man!
• greatest law in this vast universe of God!
• one law which causeth and controlleth order among the
existing atoms!
• universal magnetic power between the planets and stars
shining in the lofty firmament!
• cause of unfoldment to a searching mind, of the secrets
deposited in the universe by the Infinite! (Abdu'l-Baha,
Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p. 525 526)
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Development and progression
• imply gradual stages or degrees. (Abdu'lBaha, The Promulgation of Universal
Peace, p. 131)
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If we review history, we will
observe that human advancement
•
has been greatest in the development of material virtues.
Civilization is the sign and evidence of this progression.
Throughout the world, material civilization has attained truly
wonderful heights and degrees of efficiency -- that is to say, the
outward powers and virtues of man have greatly developed, but
the inner and ideal virtues have been correspondingly delayed
and neglected. It is now the time in the history of the world for us
to strive and give an impetus to the advancement and
development of inner forces -- that is to say, we must arise to
service in the world of morality, for human morals are in need of
readjustment. We must also render service to the world of
intellectuality in order that the minds of men may increase in
power and become keener in perception, assisting the intellect of
man to attain its supremacy so that the ideal virtues may appear.
(Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 325-326 )
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Man is the noblest of the
creatures.
• In his physical organism he possesses the virtues of the
mineral kingdom. Likewise, he embodies the augmentative
virtue, or power of growth, which characterizes the kingdom
of the vegetable. Furthermore, in his degree of physical
existence he is qualified with functions and powers peculiar
to the animal, beyond which lies the range of his distinctive
human mental and spiritual endowment. Considering this
wonderful unity of the kingdoms of existence and their
embodiment in the highest and noblest creature, why
should man be at variance and in conflict with man?
(Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p.
349)
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Fundamentally all existing things
pass through the same degrees
• and phases of development, and any given
phenomenon embodies all others. An ancient
statement of the Arabian philosophers declares
that all things are involved in all things. It is
evident that each material organism is an
aggregate expression of single and simple
elements, and a given cellular element or atom
has its coursings or journeyings through various
and myriad stages of life. (Abdu'l-Baha, The
Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 349)
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All created things have their
degree, or stage, of maturity.
• The period of maturity in the life of a tree is the
time of its fruit bearing. The maturity of a plant
is the time of its blossoming and flower. The
animal attains a stage of full growth and
completeness, and in the human kingdom man
reaches his maturity when the lights of
intelligence have their greatest power and
development. (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation
of Universal Peace, p. 438)
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From the beginning to the end of
his life man passes through
certain periods,
• or stages, each of which is marked by certain conditions
peculiar to itself. For instance, during the period of
childhood his conditions and requirements are
characteristic of that degree of intelligence and capacity.
After a time he enters the period of youth, in which his
former conditions and needs are superseded by new
requirements applicable to the advance in his degree. His
faculties of observation are broadened and deepened; his
intelligent capacities are trained and awakened; the
limitations and environment of childhood no longer restrict
his energies and accomplishments. (Abdu'l-Baha, The
Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 438)
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At last he passes out of the period
of youth
• and enters the stage, or station, of maturity, which
necessitates another transformation and corresponding
advance in his sphere of life activity. New powers and
perceptions clothe him, teaching and training
commensurate with his progression occupy his mind,
special bounties and bestowals descend in proportion to
his increased capacities, and his former period of youth
and its conditions will no longer satisfy his matured view
and vision. (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal
Peace, p. 438)
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Similarly, there are periods and
stages in the life of the
• aggregate world of humanity, which at one time was
passing through its degree of childhood, at another its time
of youth but now has entered its long presaged period of
maturity, the evidences of which are everywhere visible and
apparent. Therefore, the requirements and conditions of
former periods have changed and merged into exigencies
which distinctly characterize the present age of the world of
mankind. That which was applicable to human needs
during the early history of the race could neither meet nor
satisfy the demands of this day and period of newness and
consummation. (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of
Universal Peace, p. 438)
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Humanity has emerged from its
former degrees of limitation
• and preliminary training. Man must now become imbued
with new virtues and powers, new moralities, new
capacities. New bounties, bestowals and perfections are
awaiting and already descending upon him. The gifts and
graces of the period of youth, 439 although timely and
sufficient during the adolescence of the world of mankind,
are now incapable of meeting the requirements of its
maturity. The playthings of childhood and infancy no longer
satisfy or interest the adult mind. (Abdu'l-Baha, The
Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 438)
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“Man's evolution is both individual
and collective,
• because of his twofold relationship to
himself and to the society in which he
lives. Individual evolution starts with the
early stages of one's existence.
Consciousness too grows with this
evolution.”
(Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 115)
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Oneness of Mankind
• It represents the consummation of human
evolution -- an evolution that has had its earliest
beginnings in the birth of family life, its
subsequent development in the achievement of
tribal solidarity, leading in turn to the
constitution of the city-state, and expanding
later into the institution of independent and
sovereign nations. (Shoghi Effendi, The World
Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 43)
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“Man must walk in many paths
• and be subjected to various processes in
his evolution upward. Physically he is not
born in full stature but passes through
consecutive stages of fetus, infant,
childhood, youth, maturity and old age.
(Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 77)
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“…man was always potentially
man,
• even when passing through lower stages
of evolution. Because he has more
powers, and subtler powers than the
animal, when he turns towards evil he
becomes more vicious than an animal
because of these very powers.”
(Shoghi Effendi, Lights
of Guidance, p. 403)
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“The growth and development of
all beings is gradual
• this is the universal divine organization
and the natural system. The seed does
not at once become a tree; the embryo
does not at once become a man; the
mineral does not suddenly become a
stone. No, they grow and develop
gradually and attain the limit of
perfection.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 199-198)
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“The beginning of the
existence of man on the
terrestrial globe
• resembles his formation in the womb of the
mother. The embryo in the womb of the mother
gradually grows and develops until birth, after
which it continues to grow and develop until it
reaches the age of discretion and maturity.
Though in infancy the signs of the mind and spirit
appear in man, they do not reach the degree of
perfection; they are imperfect. Only when man
attains maturity do the mind and the spirit appear
and become evident in utmost perfection.” (Abdu'l-Baha,
Some Answered Questions, p. 198)
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The embryo possesses from the
first all perfections,
• such as the spirit, the mind, the sight, the smell,
the taste -- in one word, all the powers -- but
they are not visible and become so only by
degrees.
• Similarly, the terrestrial globe from the
beginning was created with all its elements,
substances, minerals, atoms and organisms;
but these only appeared by degrees: first the
mineral, then the plant, afterward the animal,
and finally man. (Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 199)
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“The human body has one form.
• In its composition it has been transferred from one
form to another but never possesses two forms at
the same time. For example, it has existed in the
elemental substances of the mineral kingdom. From
the mineral kingdom it has traversed the vegetable
kingdom and its constituent substances; from the
vegetable kingdom it has risen by evolution into the
kingdom of the animal and from thence attained the
kingdom of man. After its disintegration and
decomposition it will return again to the mineral
kingdom,” (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 306)
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“Briefly; the journey of the soul
is necessary.
• The pathway of life is the road which
leads to divine knowledge and
attainment. Without training and
guidance the soul could never progress
beyond the conditions of its lower nature
which is ignorant and defective.
(Abdu'l-Baha,
Foundations of World Unity, p. 77)
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“The spirit is changeless,
indestructible.
• The progress and development of the soul, the joy and
sorrow of the soul, are independent of the physical body.
• If we are caused joy or pain by a friend, if a love prove true
or false, it is the soul that is affected. If our dear ones are
far from us -- it is the soul that grieves, and the grief or
trouble of the soul may react on the body.
• Thus, when the spirit is fed with holy virtues, then is the
body joyous; if the soul falls into sin, the body is in
torment!” (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 65)
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From the moment the soul
leaves the body
• and arrives in the Heavenly World, its evolution is spiritual,
and that evolution is: The approaching unto God.
• In the physical creation, evolution is from one degree of
perfection to another. The mineral passes with its mineral
perfections to the vegetable; the vegetable, with its
perfections, passes to the animal world, and so on to that of
humanity. This world is full of seeming contradictions; in each
of these kingdoms (mineral, vegetable and animal) life exists
in its degree; though when compared to the life in a man, the
earth appears to be dead, yet she, too, lives and has a life of
her own. In this world things live and die, and live again in
other forms of life, but in the world of the spirit it is quite
otherwise.
• The soul does not evolve from degree to degree as a law -- it
only evolves nearer to God, by the Mercy and Bounty of
God. (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 66)
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The soul after its separation from
the body
• keeps its individuality and its consciousness both in relation
to other souls and to the human beings in the world. (Shoghi Effendi,
Lights of Guidance, p. 481)
• Evolution in the life of the individual starts with the
formation of the human embryo and passes through
various stages, and even continues after death in another
form. The human spirit is capable of infinite development.
Man's identity or rather his individuality is never lost. His
reality as a person remains intact throughout the various
states of his development. He does not pre-exist in any
form before coming into this world. (Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance,
p. 536)
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The seed of the spirit starts to
grow in the human soul.
• This seed must be watered by the outpourings of the Holy
Spirit. These gifts of the spirit are received through prayer,
meditation, study of the Holy Utterances and service to the
Cause of God. The fact of the matter is that service in the
Cause is like the plough which ploughs the physical soil
when seeds are sown. It is necessary that the soil be
ploughed up, so that it can be enriched, and thus cause a
stronger growth of the seed. In exactly the same way the
evolution of the spirit takes place through ploughing up the
soil of the heart so that it is a constant reflection of the Holy
Spirit. In this way the human spirit grows and develops by
leaps and bounds. (Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 70)
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