Susanne Cook-Greuter | Stages of Consciousness, Vertical Development & Why Growth is Overrated

Susanne Cook-Greuter is an internationally recognized expert in adult development and self-actualization, holding a doctorate in human development and psychology from Harvard. Her groundbreaking Ego Development Theory maps the relationship between self-story and meaning-making across the full spectrum of human development — from conventional stages of consciousness through to the most advanced levels of vertical development. She currently serves as strategic advisor and research director of the Vertical Development Academy.In this conversation we explore why growth is overrated and what that means for how we approach our inner work, the critical shift in human development that most developmental models miss, how the stages of consciousness relate to psychedelic experiences and spiritual awakening, and why the idea of being self-made is a delusion.We also get into the role identity plays in human development, how our sense of objectivity changes as we develop, the most important polarities all humans have to navigate, and why honoring all stages — not just the highest ones — is essential for genuine transformation.A profound conversation for anyone navigating the edges of human development and vertical growth.🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES🔗Ego Development: A Full-Spectrum Theory Of Vertical Growth And Meaning Making An Introduction to Developmental Stage Theories Vertical Development Academy⏱ TIMESTAMPS ⏱0:00 - Intro0:53 - How Susanne got into developmental psychology4:29 - How the sentence completion test helps map a person's development6:27 - The limits of language in knowing and describing reality12:15 - How development plays a role in the variability of psychedelic experiences13:28 - What was missing from Jane Loevinger's work16:48 - The role identity plays in human development20:56 - How the sense of objectivity changes as a person develops24:25 - What is the center of gravity in ego development theory?27:15 - The role environment plays in human development28:53 - Psychedelics, spirituality, and integrated development42:32 - The most important polarities all humans have to manage44:20 - How Ego Development Theory differs from other developmental stage theories44:42 - Why growth is overrated51:52 - The conquest and exploitation of nature56:52 - The critical shift in human development1:03:31 - Why the idea of being self-made is a delusion1:06:59 - Vertical development and what it actually means1:11:25 - Susanne's two new books in progress1:15:51 - The importance of honoring all stages and all beings1:17:51 - New trends in human development1:28:05 - Does Susanne's brain automatically map people into stages?1:30:10 - Thinkers and teachers who influenced Susanne's worldview1:32:35 - Susanne and Artem connect on their shared passion for language*Subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch the video versions of the Elevating Consciousness Podcast *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional