An Introduction to Spiral Dynamics An Evolutionary Development

An Introduction to Spiral Dynamics An Evolutionary Development Model Rev. E. J. Niles and Spiral Pathways Ministry 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 1

. About The Word “ Evolution” When some people today hear the word “evolution” the response may be“ Well, I don’t believe I descended from a monkey. ” This misconception about evolution came from the world famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 which pitted religion against science; all based on a concept of biological evolution. Some scientists (possibly 38% according to polls) still hold to the idea that evolution was only about biological evolution. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 2

Cultural Evolution A few Biologists have attempted to narrow evolution to changes in biological organisms; a few anthropologists have tried to discredit evolution in history. However, by the mid 20 th century an awareness of cultural evolution had become so widespread it began to be taught in academia. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 3

Cultural Evolution Plus “At the same time, the physical sciences were rocked by the startling discover that the entire universe is not a place where evolution happens, it is evolution happening. A recognition that the cosmological evolution of stars and planets, the biological evolution of organisms, and the culture evolution in history are all part of a universal process of becoming that has been continuously unfolding since the beginning of our universe…” Evolution’s Purpose, Steve Mcintosh 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 4

What is Spiral Dynamics? Spiral Dynamics is model that Looks at evolution in the history of humankind and how that history is incorporated in the psychological development of individuals. It is based on the latest findings of, anthropology, archaeology and neurobiology; backed by decades of research and real-world applications. It provides a roadmap, for understanding our biological, cultural and spiritual evolution. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 5

Awareness of the Process Evolution advances through a process of higher order. Our process, as human beings has to become more aware of the purpose of evolution and in our place in it. Our history continues to affirm the process that has been continuing in observable ways. We are more aware of this process than ever before in our history. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 6

Spiral Dynamics An Evolutionary Model Spiral Dynamics is one of a number of development models that offer a way to see how evolution proceeds in the history of society as well as the psychology and spiritual evolution of individuals. Evolution proceeds in individuals and in the collective of society through a “transcend and include” process driven by a “push and a pull”. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 7

A “Push” and the “Pull” The push is toward new levels of consciousness, coming from the pressure of unsatisfactory life conditions. The pull arises from an evolutionary impulse, some call it Spirit, always calling us to new values, new truth and beauty and new ideals of spirituality. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 8

A Useful Model Spiral Dynamics offers an opportunity to better under happenings in the world today, see the progressive development of one’s individual values and current levels of consciousness. It also offers opportunities to create and sustain more efficient, effective businesses, communities and, more importantly a more compassionate world. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 9

Why The Spiral? v The spiral is the most ancient symbol found on every populated continent. v Due to its appearance at burial sites across the globe, it represented the "life-death-rebirth" cycle. v Similarly, the spiral symbolized the sun. v The spiral is the most widely repeated archetype used to symbolize our inner and outer journey to God and the Self. v “Spirals symbolically represent a passage into the collective unconscious and then back into the world, renewed with greater psychological understanding of who we are and why we are here. ” (Jung) 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 10

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Why Colors? • Spiral Dynamics has assigned colors to the development stages and levels to assist students in remembering and for speaking to others about the stages and levels. • The colors are neither chakra nor spectrum colors, but each color is fitting as one discovers with usage. • The colors are selected in part to display the oscillation between “I” (individual) orientation and “We” (collective) orientation • warm colors like beige, red, orange, and yellow for “I” • cool colors like purple, blue, and green for “We”. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 12

Yellow Turquoise 2 nd Tier Being Stages & levels MOMENTOUS LEAP Beige Purple Red Blue Orange Green Subsistence Stages and levels 1 st Tier 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 13

“Not Better Than” but “More Effective” Spiral Dynamics does not suggest that one level of consciousness is “better” than or “worse than” another. What it does suggest is that the higher levels of consciousness are more effective in bringing about change in the world. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 14

Life Conditions Relative to Consciousness A fundamental concept of Spiral Dynamics is life conditions are a primary determinant of consciousness. Evolution of consciousness emerges to deal with the challenges of the present life conditions having, in turn, a major impact on next Life Conditions. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 15

Life Conditions and Consciousness Life Conditions Warm colors for “I” orientation Homo Universalis NOW One World Age of Allies Consciousness Turquoise 60 Years ago Integral thinking Exclusionary thinking (New Thought, ecology, human rights) Age of Nations Green 160 Years ago Enlightenment Invention, industry 400 Years ago (Axial Age) Blue (Philosophy, Religion) (Civilization) Age of City-States 6/14/2021 2: 48 Age PM of Clans (Hunter/gatherers Speech, handcrafts) Red Integrative Momentous Leap Orange Age of Empires Age of Tribes Expansive (Internet, Fields and information explosion) Yellow Global Village Second Tier First Tier Cool colors for “We” orientation 2. 8 K Yrs ago (Neolithic Awakening) Agriculture, writing) Humanistic Scientific Authoritative Egocentric 10 K Yrs ago End of Ice Age Purple Beige 50 K Years ago (Hominids before the human mind mutation) 250 K yrs ago Ethnocentric Instinctive 16

A Few Terms Used in Spiral Dynamics 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 17

MEMEs In 1976 his book The Selfish Gene, The British biologist Richard Dawkins introduced the word “MEME” to describe how ideas, ideologies, behavior, or styles spread from person to person within a culture. Like a Gene, a Meme is a replicator that seeks aggressively to enter as many minds as possible. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 18

About v. MEMEs Spiral Dynamics coined the word “v. MEME” to indicated values that change as consciousness evolves. Levels of consciousness that emerge to deal with the challenges of each of the stages can be also be referred to v. MEMEs 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 19

The First and Second Tier v. MEMEs There is a huge gap between the First and Second Tier None of the First Tier v. MEMEs can fully appreciate the value of the other v. MEMEs. Each believes that its worldview is the only true perspective. A qualitative leap in consciousness occurs when a person moves past the Green v. MEME into Second Tier. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 20

About Holons Another important term is “holon”. Every level of consciousness is a holon, a word that means “part/whole”, a part that is also a whole, e. g. Russian Dolls. The former whole now becomes a part of the wider, more comprehensive whole, just as molecules include but transcend atoms and are themselves included in but transcended by cells. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 21

Holons (continued) • It is because all levels of consciousness are holons that we cannot skip levels of consciousness in our own development anymore than nature could skip from an atom to a cell. • Each level is a whole, a stable component that is a necessary prerequisite to the emergence of the next higher level. 6/14/2021 2: 48 PM 22

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Bandon July 8, 2018