The Great Updraft

At Stage 2/3 of Ego (the Opportunist), we become aware that others have their own needs and wants. As yet, we possess no real empathy or ability to cooperate, and see them as threats or competitors. Life is experienced as a jungle, a battle of wills, a zero-sum game.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 9/9 episode, Pre-conventional Stages of Ego Development by Cook-Greuter (#161)

You might be wondering why bother learning about early, preconventional ego development if most adults are long past it. Here's why.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 9/9 episode, Pre-Conventional Stages of Ego Development by Cook-Greuter (#161)

We tend to think that higher ego development simply means being happier. Our logic is that greater self-awareness, motivations and flexibility, a more complex worldview, and a closer relationship to truth must mean that we are happier!Therefore, higher is better.Not so fast...This episode is a snippet from my Wednesday 2/9 episode, Intro to Cook-Greuter's Ego Development Theory (#160).

Ego development simply means how the ego (i.e. our meaning-making function) complexifies over time. As it complexifies, so do our autonomy, freedom, flexibility, self-awareness, tolerance for differences and skill in interacting with the environment.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 2/9, Intro to Cook-Greuter's Ego Development Theory (#160).

This month we are studying ego development as framed by Cook-Greuter, so we ought to know what the ego is. It probably isn't what you think. This is a snippet from my Wednesday 2/9, Intro to Cook-Greuter's Ego Development Theory (#160)

We see the world, explain things, make meaning and find coherence in predictable ways as we mentally develop. This is not a random process. This is a well-studied and understood process.We go through predictable stages of meaning making, of sense making, which are somewhat correlated with age. This is called ego development.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey ToursNext listen: Ego Development Playlist - https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsPre-order The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/the-boundless-body/Newsletter & free coaching session: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-cats

Beyond the personality typology system we prefer, what do they really tell us about who we are? What are the deeper lessons?This is a snippet from my Wednesday 1/9 episode, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems - Part 2/2 (#159).

Here we explore whether or not astrology is legit as a system for understanding human personality.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 26/8, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems - Part 2/2 (#159).

The Enneagram is the personality typology that has shown me the most about myself and others. Here's how.This is a snippet from my 26/8 episode, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems, Part 2/2 (#159).

In this mini-series, we’re going to look at the main personality typology systems and how to use them.Knowing your personality type helps you achieve a reliable snapshot of your personality and tendencies, boosting your self-understanding and ability to navigate others.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey ToursNext listen: What is Psychology? (#143)All my episodes on Psychology & the Enneagram: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsPre-order The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/the-boundless-body/Newsletter & free coaching session: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links

Here are the keys to the Myers-Briggs system, among the most popular personality typology systems out there.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 19/8 episode, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems - Part 2/2 (#158)

The masculine describes qualities typically embodied by biological males, and the feminine describes those embodied by biological females.But anyone – regardless of biological sex or gender identification – embodies both the masculine and the feminine to a certain ratio. Think of them as two forces or poles within us. When harnessed correctly, they each bring certain capacities. When allowed to coexist and dance together, we have a much greater repertoire.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 19/8 episode, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems, Part 1/2 (#158).

Are you an introvert? Use these key markers of introversion to find out.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 19/8 episode, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems - Part 1/2 (#158)

In this mini-series, we’re going to look at the main personality typology systems and how to use them.Knowing your personality type helps you achieve a reliable snapshot of your personality and tendencies, boosting your self-understanding and ability to navigate others.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey ToursNext listen: What is Psychology? (#143)All my episodes on Psychology & the Enneagram: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsPre-order The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/the-boundless-body/Newsletter & free coaching session: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links

One of the key markers of transpersonal development is that our identity becomes permanently decoupled from the limited sense of personal self.This is a snippet from my 12/8 episode, The Transpersonal 3rd-tier Levels of Consciousness (#157)

When it comes to the transpersonal, 3rd-tier levels of human consciousness, we're operating mostly on speculation rather than hard research data.This is a snippet from my 12/8 episode, The Transpersonal 3rd-tier Levels of Consciousness (#157)

Today we discuss the 3rd tier of consciousness development, or the Transpersonal levels. These are very rare levels beyond Turquoise Construct-Aware that few reach..Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey Tours.Next listen: The Levels of Consciousness Series (#151-157)Pre-order The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/the-boundless-body/Newsletter & free coaching session: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-cats

At Turquoise Construct-Aware, enlightenment or spiritual awakening loses its mythic glow and starts to become ordinary, direct, immediate. You stop making spirit an object to be pursued.That is, the enlightenment project collapses.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 5/8 episode, The Post-conventional Levels of Consciousness [Turquoise Construct Aware] (#156).

The move to Turquoise Construct-Aware heralds the end of teleological living, or goal-oriented living. Every single prior level of consciousness is organised around goals and outcomes, essentially delaying fulfillment until later - until we finally see through and drop this mechanism.

These are the key features of the Turquoise Construct-Aware level in outline.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 5/8 episode, Postconventional Levels of Consciousness - 3/3 (#156)

Today we discuss the 3rd postconventional level of consciousness, Turquoise Construct-Aware.This level sits on the verge of the Transpersonal levels and is starkly different to the Yellow/Teal Integral level that precedes it.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey Tours.Next listen: The Levels of Consciousness Series (#151-157)Pre-order The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/the-boundless-body/Newsletter & free coaching session: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-cats

At the Yellow/Teal level of consciousness, we begin to tap into systems thinking. Let's explore what it means and why it's powerful.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 29/7 episode, The Postconventional Levels of Consciousness - 2/3 (#155)

At Integral, we become multiperspectival for the first time. This is a radical shift in cognitive development and worldview, and here we explore its implications through practical examples.This is a snippet from my 29/7 episode, The Postconventional Levels of Consciousness - 2/3 (#155)

The shift to Integral consciousness marks the first stage at which you see yourself, others and humanity developmentally. Here, we explore just what that means.This is a snippet from my 29/7 episode, The Postconventional Levels of Consciousness - 2/3 (#155)

Let's discuss "the monumental leap in meaning" that occurs when we transition from 1st tier to 2nd tier in our development.This is a snippet from my 29/7 episode, The Postconventional Levels of Consciousness - 2/3 (#155).

A bitesize overview of the Yellow/Teal Integral stage of development or level of consciousness, which Graves called "a monumental leap in meaning".This is a snippet from my 29/7 episode, The Postconventional Levels of Consciousness - 2/3 (#155).

We continue our Levels of Consciousness series by looking at the Post-Conventional levels of consciousness, the leading edge of human development that discloses our future.Today we focus on the second such level, Yellow Integral (also given the colour teal).Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: https://deep-psychology.captivate.fm/spirit-quest-toursNext listen: Levels of Consciousness Series (#151-155)Newsletter & The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/my-linksAll my episodes on Developmental Psychology: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/e495f46d-4f50-4a3e-b4c3-b5f407d00628200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-cats

At Green Postmodern, you revive or rediscover your spiritual life in a post-rational, non-dogmatic form. This is the beginning of true spiritual wisdom.This is a snippet from my 22/7 episode, The Postconventional Levels of Consciousness - 1/2 (#154).

A critical feature of the Green Postmodern stage is that it looks back and criticises the Orange Achiever stage with its rationality, scientific mind and focus on success.This is a snippet from my 22/7 episode, The Postconventional Levels of Consciousness - 1/2 (#154).

Some of the defining features of what it means to be postconventional, a metalevel of development that only 15-20% of humans ever reach.This is a snippet from my 22/7 episode, The Postconventional Levels of Consciousness - 1/2 (#154).

The move from Orange Rational to Green Postmodern is not just a stage change, but a meta-stage change - from Conventional to Postconventional. This transition can be deeply destabilising, confusing and lonely.This is a snippet from my 22/7 episode, The Post-Conventional Levels of Consciousness - 1/2 (#154)

We continue our Levels of Consciousness series by looking at the Post-Conventional levels of consciousness, the leading edge of human development that discloses our future.Today we focus on the common features of Postconventional levels and the first such level, Green Postmodern.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: https://deep-psychology.captivate.fm/spirit-quest-toursNext listen: Levels of Consciousness Series (#151-155)All my episodes on Developmental Psychology: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/e495f46d-4f50-4a3e-b4c3-b5f407d00628200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsNewsletter & books: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links

Here's a quick overview of Blue Conformist, the first Conventional level of consciousness.This is a snippet from my Tuesday 14/7 episode, The Conventional Levels of Consciousness.

Today we’re continuing our Levels of Consciousness series by looking at the Conventional levels of consciousness, the home stages for most people across the world.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey ToursNext listen: Levels of Consciousness Series (#151-155)All my episodes on Developmental Psychology: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/e495f46d-4f50-4a3e-b4c3-b5f407d00628200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsNewsletter & books: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links

The existence of the levels suggest to me that there is no default world that we either perceive accurately or not. The way the world "is" is defined by your level of development.This is a snippet from my Tuesday 14/7 episode, The Pre-Conventional Levels of Consciousness.

The existence of Pre-Conventional levels of consciousness throws up a huge existential question regarding what the world actually is. Here we discuss it.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 8/7 episode, The Pre-Conventional Levels of Consciousness.

Do not underestimate the importance of pre-conventional development: we go from newborns in the "primordial matrix" to participants in conventional society.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 8/7 episode, The Pre-Conventional Levels of Consciousness.

Today we’re continuing our Levels of Consciousness series by looking at the Pre-conventional levels of consciousness, the first building blocks in the human psyche.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey ToursNext listen: Levels of Consciousness Series (#151-155)All my episodes on Developmental Psychology: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/e495f46d-4f50-4a3e-b4c3-b5f407d00628200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsNewsletter & books: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links

If you asked me, "What do the levels of consciousness guide in our lives?", my short answer would be, "Everything".This is a snippet from my Wednesday 1/7 episode, What Are The Levels of Consciousness?

The levels of consciousness are a critical tool for understanding yourself, others and the human condition.Today and this month you’re going to understand this fundamental trajectory that is guiding our lives.Our lives are not random or aimless: we're all on a journey, for which the levels of consciousness form a timeless blueprint.Understand them, and it will greatly enhance your understanding of yourself, others and all human affairs.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey ToursNext listen: Levels of Consciousness Series - This Month (#151-155)All my episodes on Developmental Psychology: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/e495f46d-4f50-4a3e-b4c3-b5f407d00628200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsNewsletter & books: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links

The medical system tries to reduce our problems down to simple, pragmatic descriptions and solutions. But does this always help?This is a snippet from my Wednesday 24/6 episode, The Diagnosis Obsession Part 2.

Diagnoses are always trying to describe a state, which is more real than any diagnosis applied to it, and is independent of it: your state is not the diagnosis, and the diagnosis is not your state.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 24/6 episode, The Diagnosis Obsession Part 2.

We tend to think diagnoses are absolute, when really they are practical tools that professionals use to attempt to improve your health.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 24/6 episode, The Diagnosis Obsession Part 2.

There's a lot of money in medicine and pharmaceuticals, and this puts a huge survival pressure on the industry.This is not a countercultural slur, just a basic structural fact of healthcare.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 17/6 episode, The Diagnosis Obsession Part 1.

Healthcare professionals' priority is to diagnose you. That is what they are trying to do. But is it necessary? Is it functional? Is it right?And what's more - patients themselves are often biased towards obtaining a diagnosis.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 17/6 episode, The DIagnosis Imperative Part 1.

How many people have you heard saying "I think I have autism/ADHD/anxiety/depression because of x, y or z"? I'm sure you've heard someone, because diagnoses of this kind have become trendy.We're so quick to diagnose ourselves and others with psychological illnesses.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 17/6 episode, The Diagnosis Obsession Part 1.

How many people are walking around right now with diagnoses for ADHD, depression, anxiety or other similar conditions that are unnecessary and useless - with dodgy diagnoses?In part 1 of The Diagnosis Obsession, we explore why the health system runs on diagnoses, why this biases how we understand health, and why ordinary health-system realities reveal the obvious problem.Disclaimer: I am not qualified to diagnose or treat medical conditions.Next listen: What is Psychology? (#143) ; My Depression Experience (#73)All my episodes on Psychology: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/9f81342e-0c6f-4b7d-ab6c-bd333126470e200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsNewsletter & books: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links

Your psyche is constructed to such a degree that, in fact, it constructs your world too. There is no such thing as accurate perception of life.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 3/6 episode, The Key Principles of Psychological Work, Part 2 (#147).Next listen: The Key Principles of Psychological Work, Part 1 (#144) ; What is Psychology? (#143)All my episodes on Spirituality: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/d173b606-7b30-4e9b-b05b-de22c39973b4200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsNewsletter & books: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links

Another major implication of psychological non-duality is that because our true nature is unbounded consciousness, our entire self-image is essentially a fiction.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 3/6 episode, The Key Principles of Psychological Work, Part 2 (#147).Next listen: The Key Principles of Psychological Work, Part 1 (#144) ; What is Psychology? (#143)All my episodes on Spirituality: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/d173b606-7b30-4e9b-b05b-de22c39973b4200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsNewsletter & books: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links

A major implication of psychological non-duality is that you cannot step outside your experience, and your entire psyche was built inside it, meaning your conception of everything is entirely your own.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 3/6 episode, The Key Principles of Psychological Work, Part 2 (#147).Next listen: The Key Principles of Psychological Work, Part 2 (#144) ; What is Psychology? (#143)All my episodes on Spirituality: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/d173b606-7b30-4e9b-b05b-de22c39973b4200-show library by category: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsNewsletter & books: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links