Beyond the separate Self: the Unitive stage of development
by Bill HarrisApril 28th, 2008
Finally, after months of blog posts discussing human development, we arrive at the highest developmental level described by Susanne Cook-Greuter: the Ironist or Unitive perspective. Susanne really doesn’t like the name Ironist (which comes from another researcher), so I will refer to those from this stage as Unitives.
At this point it’s important to understand that the stages described by Dr. Cook-Greuter are not theoretical. They are, rather, derived from actual data from real people. This means that the descriptions of the developmental levels I’ve shared (the different perspectives a person can take as they seek to make sense of who they are and how they fit into the world) come from the analysis of data from real people, compiled over many decades.
In other words, Dr. Cook-Greuter describes a level or perspective only if sufficient data exists and she knows that some number of individuals exist who do see things from that perspective.
Almost certainly there are a few rare individuals who see things from perspectives even higher and broader than those described by Susanne Cook-Greuter and summarized in these posts. As time goes by, and more information comes to light, even higher developmental perspectives will no doubt be investigated and cataloged. Many theorists–Ken Wilber, for instance, and several others–have described possible ways of slicing the Unitive stage I’ll describe in this post into several different stages. As of yet, not enough hard data exists for these levels to be anything but theoretical.
You might say, then, that this is a story without an ending, because those living from the highest perspectives are always breaking new ground and exploring new ways to make sense of what it means to be a human being.
So, with that preamble, let’s look at the Unitive perspective, and see how it differs from that of the Magician.
The Magician is, in a way, a transitional stage in the sense that Magicians have one foot, or at least three or four toes, in the separate self, and the other foot in the transcendent. Or, you could say that the Magician experiences the self partly from the perspective of a separate, individual entity, centered inside (and identified with) the body/mind, and partly as the infinite connections linking that body/mind to the rest of the universe. The Magician has seen his ego for what it is–a mere map of reality, a construct, a way of seeing things, rather than something solid–but has not entirely transcended it. The separate self is no longer solidly real for the Magician, but it’s still a significant part of the Magician’s experience of life.
Unitives, though they still have a sense of being a center of awareness in a body, no longer experience themselves as a separate “me.” The separate me isn’t just an idea, a construct, a way of looking at things (as it is for the Magician, and to some degree for the Strategist and the Individualist). Now it is also felt and experienced as such. The Unitive’s felt sense has expanded to include the entire matrix of connections connecting everything in the universe in one universal ever-changing flow.
This is, quite obviously, an entirely new and different way of experiencing human existence and consciousness–a more cosmic or universal perspective. All the paradoxical aspects of existence are now integrated. Polar opposites, such as good and evil, being and not being, self and other, subject and object, existence and non-existence, are experienced without the sense of oppositional tension experienced by those at previous developmental perspectives. Instead, these seeming opposites are just part of the flow of how things are. In terms of time and space, the Unitive’s scale of perspective is infinite, taking in the passing of ages and, in terms of space and distance, the entire infinite universe.
The Unitive is able to take any previous developmental perspective or point of view and shift between perspectives and states of awareness effortlessly. All experiences–joy, grief, life, death, being, not being, pleasure, pain, having, not having–are seen as natural parts of the flow of existence, to be noticed and experienced as they are. The rational mind is not seen as a limitation (as it was by the Magician) but rather as just another manifestation of being human–sometimes useful and allowed to be more prominent, and at other times not needed and allowed to recede into the background.
The Unitive is able, then, to cherish all humans as part of the grand dance and flow of the universe, not needing others to be different than they are. “Higher” stages of development are no longer seen as “better.” Rather, all stages are necessary, interconnected, and always-changing aspects of the human condition.
The Unitive sees himself in similar terms–he has no need to be a certain way and therefore accepts himself in a non-controlling way. Though he may have many achievements, he sees their insignifigance in the grand scheme of things. At the same time, he sees that his contribution to the universe is an essential part of the whole–as is the contribution of every other person, animal, plant, rock, or piece of dust. His humility and grace, however, isn’t so much the result of a decision to be that way as it is a natural and spontaneous expression of his perspective. The Unitive truly sees the bigger picture, which allows him to “play” full out without attachment to what does or does not happen.
The Unitive’s perspective is one of non-ego-involved witnessing, moment-by-moment awareness, and resourceful responses to the infinite number of systems and variables swirling around him–including all the conflicting needs, paradoxes, and constantly shifting realities of the situation. He is no longer identified with a certain “me,” a certain role or identity. He spontaneously takes on whatever persona is necessary in order to catalyze others or in some other way be appropriate to the moment. His concern is quite often outside of what most people would consider his own individual interests–a concern often expressed as an unconditional love for humanity.
The Magician has a highly developed ability to “trust the process” of whatever is going on. The Unitive’s low identification with the separate self and his greater identification with the rest of humanity further elevates this trust–of the way things are, where they are going, and what can and “should” be done–to an even higher (and more selfless) level. To the Unitive, there is an awareness that on an ultimate level everything is happening in a perfect way, even including the fact that the world contains much suffering and many problems. These problems, and any addressing of them, are just parts of the dance, parts of the endless going on of it all.
This is reflected in the Buddhist perspective of the bodhisattva–the awakened being who vows to stay in the world until all beings have been similarly liberated.
The Unitive sees happiness and unhappiness as part of the necessary, temporary (and endless) fluctuations inherent in the human situation. Instead of seeing life in a dualistic way, where some things are appropriate and desirable while others are inappropriate and undesirable, the Unitive experiences the world as a place where all opposites “arise together” and “go together”–in any polarity each side implies (and needs) the other. Up needs (and is defined by) down, here needs there, life needs death, good needs evil, and so on. Positive and negative are seen–and experienced–as mental constructs, as ideas, rather than as innate or intrinsic characteristics of things, events, or people. The Unitive watches as positive turns to negative and back to positive, endlessly–and necessarily. This is, indeed, a totally new and different way of experiencing the world.
Because Unitives don’t seem to be as engaged in the goals, pursuits, and concerns of the rest of humanity, some–particularly Experts, Achievers, and even Strategists–may see them as being more distant from the world. This, however, is a mischaracterization. The Unitive merely sees the perfection of all aspects of the universe. This includes his own motivation to intervene in some cases and his contrasting motivation to leave things alone in others.
Unitives serve to catalyze others just by showing up. Their way of being in the world provides a spontaneous challenge to the perspective of others and demonstrates an alternative way of being in the world. Their ability to see others as whole, their tendency to interact in non-demanding ways, and their effortless comfort and inner security about being human often has a subtle but profound effect on others.
Unitives have a completely internalized transpersonal morality, independent of any particular societal standards or rules. Naturally being in the moment, they decide what is right by intuition. Conflicting impulses or external demands are simply part of life and need not be resolved, only witnessed. If a response is needed, it happens.
The Unitive feels no need to be this or that, to achieve this or that, or to be in this or that state. He may act to be something or achieve something, but this is just “what happens” rather than the result of a need to get somewhere. This seemingly passive attitude, however, in its in-the-moment spontaneity, actually allows the Unitive to take powerful, effective, direct action. It’s as if, in not identifying with a separate self, the universe acts through the Unitive. Buddhists describe this by saying that doing happens, but there is no doer (the implication being that there are no separate doers, and that the real doer is the whole).
The Unitive sees all words, mental maps, representations, theories, meanings, divisions, and boundaries as mere constucts–ideas about the world, rather than the world itself. Instead, reality is experienced as a living, flowing, interconnected continuum, a unified field of possibilities existing now, and only now. At the same time, though, the Unitive sees that words, maps, representations, theories, meanings, divisions, and boundaries are essential aspects of human meaning-making.
Because the peak experiences so strongly sought after by those at previous developmental levels are readily available to the Unitive, these experiences no longer have the extraordinary and often startling quality they have for those at other perspectives. They are one more part of being human, happening in time and then passing away–another wave rising, then falling.
As you might imagine, the Unitive lives in the now moment. He sees that even planning for the future or learning from the past happens in the present moment. Being in the now moment happens naturally because the Unitive isn’t focused on regrets or hurts from the past, nor is he hoping for something better in the future. Paradoxically, the Unitive looks at the universe from an expanded time frame that includes all past and future time–while never leaving the present moment (from the Unitive’s perspective, that’s really all there is–past and future are ideas, not realities).
The Unitive’s stable awareness of the now allows him to see things as they are, without the added meanings created by the mind–though when it serves his purpose he can use ideas, concepts, and mental maps as useful tools. He sees these things for what they are–often useful mental constructs about reality, but not the reality itself.
Life to the Unitive is a temporary eye-blink of separation from the ground of being from which all things emerge. And, the Unitive is aware that this separation, this taking of a human form, is a choice. (Zen master Genpo Roshi speaks of the awakened person as “the one who chooses to be a human being.”) To the Unitive this separation from the ultimate ground of being, and the creation of a enduring separate self, are illusions used to safeguard the ego’s need for permanence and to defend it against the fear of death.
Unitives have transcended such narrow and limiting ego boundaries. They notice but are not preoccupied with whatever enters their awareness. Their perspecitve is that of the witness. This is a watching, more effortless than ordinary willed focus, in which there is awareness but not necessarily an awareness of anything. This is sometimes referred to as pure consciousness, awareness without content. The Unitive notices whatever enters his field of attention, but everything receives equal attention and awareness, and nothing is judged as better or worse, or more or less appropriate. The Unitive, therefore, has an open, non-grasping and non-judging experience of life.
The Unitive sees his life’s work as a natural outcome of his participation in the flux and flow of the whole. He cares about the problems of humanity, even while he sees their perfection, and works for fairness, justice, and benevolence toward all. Magicians and Strategists see themselves as masters of their souls, but the Unitive sees this control of life as both illusory and unnecessary. All outcomes, all ways of thinking, feeling, behaving, or being are part of the flow and all are equally valuable. Whatever happens just is. Even not-being is valuable. This is a way of looking at life difficult for those from other perspectives to understand.
The full range of beingness is available to the Unitive. In one moment he can be serious and in the next, playful. He can be personal or global, simple or complex, serene or active, rational or transcendent, sublime or silly. He can also be sad or angry, or exhibit any other human expression. As you might imagine, only a small number of people live from this perspective.
With this look at the Unitive developmental stage, we come to the end of our overview of the various developmental levels. I began this series because, despite its fundamental importance, one’s developmental level is rarely taken into account in descriptions of human interaction, values, morality, politics, psychology, or behavior.
Humans interpret and respond to whatever they experience from their particular developmental perspective, yet few who observe humanity are aware of this spectrum of perspectives–much less where they come from, how a person from each thinks and behaves, or how to deal with persons from different perspectives. Expecting a person from one perspective to see the world from another perspective is futile, whether they are a Democrat, a Republican, an Iraqi soldier, a South African tribesman, a 14 year-old high school freshman, or a born-again Christian. You can’t argue or reason another person out of their level of development.
As you view and relate to other people, or as you watch the news, I hope you will realize that each person thinks and acts from his particular developmental perspective, and that this is the only way he can make sense of his environment and his life. All perspectives include a certain type of cognition, a way of determining what is right or wrong, a way of relating to spiritual matters, a way of understanding one’s sense of self, a way of deciding what is important and what to believe (including a way of determining what is “true” and what criteria are used to determine that truth), certain strategies for navigating the world, and a lot more. Understanding these perspectives allows you to see why people act as they do, and it allows you to better communicate with them (or realize that you probably aren’t going to get through to them).
And, of course, understanding these developmental levels also allows you to better understand yourself, to understand why you see things the way you do–and to realize that your perspective is just one of many.
As I said toward the beginning of this series, whatever your perspective, you are immersed in something, which means that you are unaware of it. In fact, in being immersed in something, you are it.
Your perspective is, in fact, the place where you are stuck, the place where you are unaware. Genpo Roshi once asked me to express to him my current understanding of the way things are. I gave a very Zen-like answer: everything happens by itself, there’s no doer other than the universe as a whole, everything is connected, and so forth. He then looked me in the eye and said, “Now doubt that.” He was really saying, “Your current understanding is where you are stuck.”
Keep in mind that each perspective is a way of making sense of being here, one of many possible ways of dealing with the trials, tribulations, and ups and downs of being a human being–which you may have noticed can be quite a challenge. Each of these ways of making sense of things works for as long as it works, which could be a few years, or a lifetime. If your way of making sense of things stops working, it’s probably because you acquired more information, had new experiences, or were thrust into a new situation, and in this new situation the old way of making sense of things just doesn’t work any longer.
At such times you feel uncomfortable and a bit lost–until you develop a new way of making sense of things, one that transcends and includes the old way, and can handle the new situation and take into account the new information.
And, finally, remember that awareness drives development. Whatever you are immersed in you are unaware of, like a fish in water. When you do become aware of it (if you do), your perspective changes. It expands. The goal here, if there is one, is to continually enlarge your perspective–until it ultimately includes everything. As that happens, your point of view moves from being me-centered, to group-centered, to world-centered, and finally to cosmos-centered. As this happens, care increases, compassion increases, and love increases.
And, lord knows, that’s what the world needs.
So, whatever you’re doing, watch. Learn to be the witness. Watch your body. Pay attention to how it feels and how it moves. Notice how those feelings and sensations change. Watch your emotions. Watch your thoughts, your beliefs, your ideas, the meanings you put on things. Watch everything. Be with all of it, right now, in each moment. You can even watch your sense of “I am,” your sense of existing. And, since Holosync creates increasingly deeper awareness (you knew I’d end up here eventually) and allows this watching to be more and more effortless, keep meditating with Holosync every day. If you do, you will greatly accelerate your growth.
Thanks for sticking with me through this long journey. I don’t know what I’ll tackle next, but I hope you’ll find it interesting and useful as you do your best to make sense of what it means to be a human being.
One last thing before I go–a reminder that Zen master Genpo Roshi and I will be doing another Big Mind workshop in New York on June 28-29. This is an opportunity to have a profound experience of the transcendent, to find out what it feels like to be one with everything, to be awake to who you really are–and, to experience any number of profound insights normally taking decades of meditation to realize. Nearly everyone who has attended a Big Mind workshop has described it as the most profound experience of his or her life. I would love for you to have this experience.
These workshops fill up extremely quickly, so if you are interested, go to www.centerpointe.com/bigmind right now and grab a seat. I look forward to meeting you in person in New York, June 28-29.
Until next time,
Be well.
Beyond the separate Self: the Unitive stage of development [23:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5084)
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April 29th, 2008 at 12:50 am
Gosh; it’s about time! I’ve been on the edge of my seat for the past three weeks. Not so long next time. This stuff is too riveting!
April 29th, 2008 at 1:49 am
Awesome! I’m at that level……………… not!
April 29th, 2008 at 5:11 am
Thank you.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Hi,
Thanks for the post on the final developmental level.
Ok, how do we get there. Will using Holosync over a 10 yr period give us the awareness that is needed to reach the unitive stage?
Would it be possible to hear from,say, ten people who have completed the programme? As, apart from your good self, we have very few examples. Maybe some EEG results from them as well would be great and compared with someone at the unitive stage.
Thanks, Will.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Wow. Thank you Bill so much for that post and all the previous posts on developmental levels. I’ve learned so much these past weeks and greatly appreciate the clarity with which you’ve explained these ideas. I feel like I’ve grown more just by reading them! Looking forward to meeting you and Genpo in Seattle this weekend!
April 29th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Wow…
April 30th, 2008 at 12:59 am
My God, this series on developmental levels has been riveting from start to finish. What a gift you have, Bill, for taking complex ideas and making them readable by ordinary folks like me! Thank you so much for sharing this gift with us all.
P.S. I can’t wait to see where your inquiring mind takes you next….
April 30th, 2008 at 3:35 am
Thankyou Bill for a very interesting and profound series of articles…. now waiting to see where you take us next….
April 30th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Yea, I’d like to hear from some other people who’ve completed the whole Holosync program too!
Thanks,
Mark
April 30th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Amaaaaazing …….just amaaaaaazing , thank you so much Bill, see ya in NYC !!
April 30th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Thanks Bill! In response to Tim…
I’m also amazed that even just by reading this we can grow! It certainly brings clarity to ourselves and having an idea of how ‘it’ all fits together.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:26 am
An interesting journey, Mr. Harris. I’m on a couple of discussion lists where such topics are often batted about. I’ve passed your link on a couple of times in conversation because of this series. Well done.
D
–
Darrell G. King
Rochester, NY, US
In the Now, it’s not that past and future don’t exist; it’s more like they don’t intrude. - D. King
Metacognition Discussions: Do you train your mind? Share your views and experience!
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April 30th, 2008 at 7:58 am
It sounds like you are referring to unconditioned awareness. This is our natural openness of watching what is, which includes watching thoughts, feelings, and the physical world. You can live your life focused mostly on your thoughts of INTERPRETING what is, which is stressful. Or you can live your life, the reality of it, without losing your awareness of it in the thoughts, which is stress free.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Thank-you Bill for this series of posts. I have found them to be inspiring as well as informative. The inspiration comes from seeing what possibilities lie ahead if I stay the course. I initially started Holosync to overcome bi-polar disorder that no longer responds to any kind of medication. After one year things are much better - I still get depressed but the episodes are shorter and less debilitating. Ironically I am starting to see depression differently. The Dalai Lama once said “My enemy is my greatest teacher.” I now see depression as the enemy that has taught me a great deal. I am much more compassionate now where I used to be indifferent. I now feel overcoming bi-polar is secondary to psychological growth and I’m confident Holosync will be a big factor in that growth. Thank you for Holosync and thanks again for the posts.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:59 am
This has been an unbelievable experience for me and I am very appreciative of your efforts. Your explanation of the unitive stage of development made me sigh and say “well that explains alot, if not everything that is ongoing in my life”. Thank you for Holosync which brings it all together and thanks to Genpo Roshi who makes it all so visceral and real.
Namaste’,
Ed Pisko
April 30th, 2008 at 11:04 am
in response to will’s post, i would first like to say– Fabulous question… and the only one that is needed.
i believe we must remember also that as soon as the question is asked the answer is given– we must simply discover it!
so, will, and all others who are so Blessed to ask such an inquiry, ask this question in meditation and simply pay attention to thoughts, things, persons, and events that occur in your Life. i do believe these simple instructions will amaze you.
… but that just my perspective.
ALL Peace, Prosperity, & Happiness to ALL!
April 30th, 2008 at 11:36 am
“You can’t argue or reason another person out of their level of development.”
Yet, you CAN catalyze people just by being around them if you are of a high level of development, as noted in this quote:
“He spontaneously takes on whatever persona is necessary in order to catalyze others or in some other way be appropriate to the moment.”
I have been internalizing the fact that I can’t reason another person out of their level of development, as much as I try with words or good deeds. That’s where Bill’s advice of “let whatever IS be okay” really starts to make sense! I would say that Genpo Roshi is in the place where he can catalyze your spiritual growth just by being in the same room with him!
April 30th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Bill,
Thank you for such amazing and thought provoking material, and for the simply complex way you write it.
Will, I am almost halfway through the program and I can say that in reading this material, it is easy for me to comprehend because with my continued use of Holosync I am experiencing these words as an experiential awareness-as a happening that I am all aspects “of”. I am aware that this might sound a bit airey-fairey however it is a challenge to explain a fully engaged experience of anything let alone a wholeness happening all at once!
Perhaps a small slice of experience might temporarily sooth your roaring hunger for more.
I am a Comedian and the other night I found myself spontaneously questioning to my audience; I wonder what the world would be like if each one of us individually allowed themselves to experience ALL their emotions the same way many of us “feel” laughter. We just let it happen. We don’t think to try and stop it or “Do” anything with it, it begins from nothing and ends to nothing and it’s all fine by all of us and thouroghly enjoyed because most of us were brought up in the world to understand laughter as being a “safe” emotion to express. Imagine if we did that with what we perceive are the “negative” feelings, allowed ourselves to experience them as safe to express fully and in the moment. Without judgement, without acting out emotionally or physically on others, we just let them live themselves out like we do a good laugh at a good joke.
Now I’m not there yet, but as I ponder this question and a greater world imagined has it’s way with this Demonstrator I call me. In other words I begin to experience myself resisting these so called negative feelings by either wanting to distract myself or justify myself. I want to place meanings all over them. As this experiencing comes into increased focus I remind myself to “let whatever happens be okay,” Or “Let go and let God happen,” and of course this means not to quiet the mapmaker, but to be aware of the mapmaker wanting to do it’s job and make it’s map. As I watch and experience this process, letting the wholeness of the feeling happen, it seems to go back to the nowhere it came from in the first place.
During the course of this process I am left a gift. As I let go the feeling passes along, leaving with it several golden nuggets of awarenes that we call Ah-Ha’s, (which I prefer to call Ah-Ha-Ha’s as I do prefer experiencing laughter as much as possible.)
Thus, I seem to be experiencing my feelings more fully and freely than I ever thought possible when I first started Holosync, as I was started doing Holosync to “stop” the negative feelings. I have come to realize that I was stopping all my feelings at the exit gate of my mind, forcing them and their susequent thoughts to rattle around in my mapmaker and thus nibbling away at my perception of reality, the same way that adorably detestable mole I call “Chewy” is nibbling away at my vegetable garden as I type these very words. I must admit, I love seeing how I can defer Chewy without hurting him, he knows it, we both enjoy the game.
It’s true what Bill says, The best thing to “do” about any of this is nothing but let it be. Let it breathe it’s life within you and without you. It will anyways.
Peace In
John
April 30th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Thanks for the journey Bill,
I enjoyed being there since 9-07.
It is great to hear a Buddhist thought in western terms!
You have added much to my growth as an Unitive!
All the Best,
Cheers
Phil
April 30th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Hi Bill, thanks for the explanations of the different perspectives. For me they have been right on the mark. I have been using holosync for almost six years (I am ready to order level
and it’s almost eerie to look back and see how I have progressed through these different levels of perspectives.
Currently I see myself in the magician perspective and my hope is someday (with the help of holosync) I will awaken to the final perspective. I find that the witnessing and living in the moment much easier now than when I first started. Although I still find myself caught in the throes of my ego too much for my liking. At least now I can sometimes catch myself when it takes over in those challenging times we all face everyday.
Staying in the “now” is such a simple concept yet not easy. So for all those people uncertain if they should continue with holosync all I can say is it definitely has changed my spiritual & personal life for the better and I look forward to finishing all the levels.
Thanks Alan
April 30th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Thanks for this series of articles Bill! Really a true eye opener, and as Tim Johnson pointed out, it really makes me feel like I’ve grown and my perspective has expanded because of your posts. Thanks a bunch!
April 30th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Reading about all the different developmental levels has been very revealing and enlightening for me. I think of what I have or have not experienced myself and also recognize the levels of those around me. I feel this topic has given me a greater understanding not only of myself but also of all people and the workings of the world. It has definitely given me a sense of increased freedom and peace. I am grateful for each moment of awareness and the joy it brings
Thank you so much Bill, and I look forward to your next topic!
April 30th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Hi,
Possible steps to achieving this state.
Do the workbook in “A course in Miracles”. (It’s Free on the net) The text book portrays the ego as an enemy and it is more as Genpo shows us that the ego is like of a well meaning friend though misguided.
Be gentle and loving to all beings, unconditionally.
Surrender all desires and fears to God in the moment they occur.
Cease judgement and opinon on what occurs.
Love you,
Barry
From Bill:
The steps to this stage go through all the other stages, in order.
May 1st, 2008 at 4:52 am
Hi again,
In response to Todd (msg 16).Thanks.
I hear you, but still would like to have it in black and white . Not asking for Bill to stamp ‘ENLIGHTENMENT GUARANTEED’ on every cd (though it would shift some units). Just curious to know,as Bill has taken the time to write about these stages, how far in vertical development Holosync will take you.
A few Graduate examples would help this matter.
Namaste
May 1st, 2008 at 6:36 am
Thank you Bill for all these invaluable posts. I have learned so much and I’m sure that I could not have gotten through this material on my own and without your wonderful writing skills.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:21 am
love in the past is just a memory…
love in the future can only be a fantasy…
true love lives in the here and now
May 1st, 2008 at 8:39 am
Hi Bill,
First, warm thanks to you and your team at Centerpointe for ALL you’re doing.
Question to you and all:
Is there any relationship between the “Unitive” stage of development and what the “Unicists based ontology” is suggesting, from the standpoint of how the universe is perceived?
Thanks, Martin
May 1st, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Bill,
I really appreciate all the research you have done on this material, and your willingness to share it with everyone. This has inspired me to look further and read the work of others that you mention, for example Ken Wilber. It has really opened me up to an expanded way of thinking. I have also been using Holosync for a couple of years now, and found it has helped me to deal with life’s challenges much more calmly.
It would be great if you and Genpo Roshi could come to Australia one day and run some Big Mind workshops!!
With love and appreciation,
Ros
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:59 am
Hey Bill.
These are great summeries… Human Development is truly a facinating and complex topic.
I’m eighteen years old and have been holosincing for about a year now and I am really enjoying it. My only issue is that, living in Australia, we don’t really seem to get any of your retreats coming over here.
The retreats you are currently doing with Genpo partucularly stand out to me.
Come to Australia!!!
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Hi — after reading about all of the stages how do you figure out which one you’re at — and will that help? I’ve noticed that I have qualities and experiences from all of them and it just depends on what’s going on in the moment as to which stage I’m exhibiting at that moment. I certainly don’t feel enlightened though. Honestly, the more I grow — the less I know. As I look out into the world it’s just one big huh?! It all seems pretty wild and crazy to me — an overload of stimulation. I’m constantly trying to locate my center that feels rock-like and still and keep me sane.
I welcome anybody’s reply who recognizes this and has some insight. THX!
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:33 am
I am on about the fourth level of holosync and I stopped there. I really wanted to feel that there were changes happening to me, but I can’t honestly say that any have. Since I am down in Mexico it is difficult to get things shipped to me….. so between this effort and paying for it I guess it defeated me, altho something in me is still pursueing this same trend. Perhaps you have run across this type of reaction before and can ‘enlighten’ me. Thanks ,
Catherine Winn
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:33 am
Hi Bill,
thanks so much for this and the others posts. It made me go deeper into the subject and read Cook-Greuter original texts. Do I have to say more ;-)?
Anyway, thanks again
Mary
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:14 am
and it is still on some relational levels not easy.
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:34 am
Thank you, Bill. It’s so interesting to see how you have changed and grown since the first time I read and listened to you. You’ve always been naturally articulate, and a joy to read and hear. And I love Holosync. Peggy
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:43 am
Thanks for the email. I like to read and hear about all the things you advise. However, I’m the “customer from Hell” for the time being, because I’m unemployed with no money to spend on your products. Drat!
Re: above (email required) I’m already on your mailing list.
Bill
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:58 am
Aloha Kakahiaka Nui, Bill!
I felt like a stranger in a strange land with my thoughts of living, loving and embracing the moment, because my family, friends and acquaintances would joke with me that I was not right. My wife would become angry with me because the things that “she” thought should upset me; would not and then something trivial, would cause me take notice. I shared this post with her, as well as the others, but this time an “aha” moment resonated within her and her statement to me was, “So, there are others like you in the world! I now understand what you have been saying to me and I also understand that I would become angry with you for being so happy and understanding of whatever happened. I want to share this journey with you!”
Mahalo nui loa,
Juan
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:59 am
Very interesting descriptions of levels. It’s been my experience that these levels do not exist as hard and fast, seperate, well divided states of consciousness, but rather as leaves of sorts that often overlap and interweave within one another. I may have moments where I am perceiving at one level and through a shift of focus am able to bring in aspects of another.
In the past when you wrote about those who believe in ‘magic’ as being at lower levels of development, I obviously had a misunderstanding of your meaning. In your description here of the ‘unitive state’ you say, “Life to the Unitive is a temporary eye blink in seperatoin from the ground of being from which all things emerge, and the unitive is aware that this seperation, this choice to take human form is a choice.” As far as I’m concerned, to live with this knowledge is to live from what I would call a “place of magic”.
To live in the realization that we are not merely the body and mind we percieve as self is the basis of grasping the fact that we are in fact at the helm of everything that occurs within our reality - EVERYTHING…. we are creating it all!! Which leads to this next point.
You state, “The unitive cares about the problems of humanity, even while he sees their perfection, and works for fairness, justice and benevolence for all. Whatever happens, “just is”…… If one truly sees this as perfection - then why would they ‘work’ to change it?..and then, that the progressioin of levels goes from ‘me-centered, group centered to world centered)
From my perspective, if I truly realize that all that is appearing within my reality is nothing more than my creation, a reflection of what is within, then the truth is that to become embroiled within the problems of the world would be on par with intervening within the plot of a play I am watching. If I know that it is all perfect, and that whatever happens ‘just is’, then how could I even garner up enough motivation to get embroiled within the perceived ‘problems of the world’. The ‘benevolence’ part, I do understand - as that comes from a place of acceptance of the all and an outpouring or loving energy.
I would therefore surmise that the highest level of the unitive state would not be demonstrated by one who goes out of their way to serve the ‘world’, as there would be a deep understanding of the fact the world as we’ve been taught to think about it - does not exist. In truth, there is no ‘out there’, it’s all being creator by “I” as the perceiver.
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:22 am
Bill, Thank you so much. This was just extraordinary. Half way through this last entry I wanted to stand on my chair and applaud! Talk about writing well about a difficult subject. This developmental view changes everything, and I think this knowledge and how to work with it may prove to be one of the most important intellectual milestones in human history. A detail I might add to this unitive stage/s. It becomes what I call “transtemporal”, This means one realizes that that the Self (big Self, not small self) does not arise in time, but that the dimension of time arises in the Self. The whole “eternal life” thing the exitential dread on non-existence is exploded as a separate self construct/fiction, and all one can do is shake ones head and laugh. Your IT. Games over.
Blessings,
jo
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:50 am
Apart from this wonderful content, I have just one tangential query: Why did you use exclusively male pronouns? He, him, his, etc. No she, her, hers at all ! Not one.
As a professional editor, I notice these things, and I found it distracting to think that, for you, the world is solely comprised of male people, or at least those are the ones you are speaking to.
I would like to think that this was unintentional on your part. But have you noticed the effort in publishing and in publications generally to rectify the imbalance in our culture — an imbalance that is so evident when only male people are mentioned in print?
It’s no longer enough to say, “Well, by saying ‘he,’ I mean everyone.”
Please consider an acknowledgement in your choice of pronouns that over 50% of the world’s populace is other than male. It will make a subtle but nonetheless palpable difference in your writing to the Holosync community. Thanks so much.
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:24 am
I think I am looking into this world you discribe. I am at purification 2 cd4 and I am at a loss what to say after reading this blog. I used to be a hard charging professional who knew what should be done in most situations and things had to go my way. Well, my career crashed and burned. It took me years to reinvent myself with the help of holosync. I am in a new competitive career environment now and for some reason, without using my will power, l let whatever happen be ok. It just happens that I don’t have the appetite to don’t jump up and defend what I believe should be mine in my work environment and personal life anymore, however, everything appears to be falling in place for me. Thanks for explaining this.
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:46 am
Well, those last few paragraphs really took my breath away. I’ve been facilitating Authentic Movement groups here in the UK to help people do exactly what you suggest - witnessing yourself in the moment, being however you need to be in the presence of others, feeling and expressing whatever needs to arise (if anything does), noticing what thoughts, judgements and perceptions arise in the self whilst moving and whilst witnessing others - and I’m constantly amazed by how simple and profound this practice is and how difficult it is sometimes to follow! You’ve given me a wonderful affirmation of the purpose of this practice and why I find it so powerful, deceptively so, when no-one is “doing anything special” except being here now. Thank you for giving me a renewed sense of the value of “Practising Presence”, as well as for this fascinating journey through the developmental levels; I’ve been forwarding the blog posts on to various people who I know also find them as interesting as I do. Good luck to you in your own ongoing journey, Bill. You be well too!
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:53 am
So what do you think about Eckhart Tolle,? I believe He is at the highest point of Universal Awareness I would like to know what your feelings are about him and his worldwide web broadcast “A New Earth” with Oprah Winphrey. This has been very inspiratually for me. Thankyou, Freda
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:04 am
Bill-
You’re a very bright soul. I have a favor to ask of you — can you please please please be more concise and brief?
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:21 am
Dear Bill,
First a comment on your post: It occurs to me that in the 8 years I’ve been reading and marveling at your insightful newsletters and posts, you yourself have grown tremendously. Congratulations!
To those who wonder if listening to Holosync is worth it: I started listening to Holosync back in 2000. I have listened and meditated to the soundtracks religiously. I am now up to Flowering, Level 3. Here is where I am now thanks to Holosync and my stick-to-it attitude: 1. The cobwebs in my life are finally starting to clear. 2. I no longer even think about killing myself to end my emotional pain. 3. I have so much more patience now it’s unbelievable. I’m talking about patience with myself. (I’ve always had lots of patience with other people.) Do I still get frustrated and angry? Sure but not nearly as often and now I am able to let the anger go much more quickly. 4. I have accomplished some goals I had that I don’t think I’d ever have accomplished without my daily meditation with Holosync. I am retired at the age of 59, able to spend my time writing songs (my passion) and recording music. I am doing what I want to do. 5. I rarely get sick anymore. I was able to lower my cholesterol levels and blood pressure among other health related concerns just by mentally concentrating on it while meditating. (I combined Qigong with Holosynch to accomplish this.) I’m not saying any of this will work for you, I do know for a fact however, that it’s worked for me. 6. The sky seems bluer and the leaves on the trees seem greener these days. 7. Life for me is no longer good or bad, life just is. I plan on meditating with Holosync as long as this body of mine will let me.
Peace,
Mark
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:26 am
I know I am eveything, down to every tree and ant, how do I know this because i have witnessed the Oness.
However I do not like okra or liver, this is the individual me.
I have experienced life as being good, not necesarily fair
Namaste.
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:45 am
Very interesting material.
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:55 am
Humm…notice within self huge chaos even while calm and stillness permeate my actions and immediate environment. Sooo confused, the map is crumpled and I can’t find meaning or even want to at the moment. And I’m only in my first year of Holosync, egads.
Thanks a bunch Bill,
Angelika O.
P.S. So grateful for your online course!!
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:56 am
I have traveled many paths of development .. some religious … some philosophical. To one extent or another they are all ordered - structured - regimented and squeezed into templates of ‘understanding’ with annotated ‘explanation’. For me they all depend upon devotees mutual insecurities and an imprisonment of the soul.
My answer is surrender. To unconditionally open my heart and welcome in the totality and One of the Universe.
You can share some of what I have found at http://www.Inside-the-Circle.com
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Well–well—well…..I’ve arrived, and didn’t even know it….!!
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Thank you, Bill
For your generous contribution to this work.
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
your words gently flow though my mind. i thank you!!
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Bill. You said it would be short. My head hurts.
A devoted fan.
By the way… Get a grip on yourself.
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Thanks, Bill, for all the information. This is quite deep, but the stream is definitely there. However, I do agree with some other folks, who would like to hear from people who’ve completed Holosync. This would be very intriguing.
Your posts here, are so informative and enlightening. The entire program opens so many new doors for people who are not aware.
I’ve also been a firm believer that if we give all of these thoughts over to God, all of the ill feelings regarding others, this world would be at peace. Caring and thoughtfulness toward others, is the first major step.
Thanks again for the opportunity to say a few things.
Blessings
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Hi Bill and dear friends of Holosync,
I was very interested to read about the Unitive stage of development as I have followed the different stages of our evolution with curiosity. Each stage I was able to say, ahh yes, I remember that one. Having been a meditation practitioner for 40 years, I have my story of exponential growth that has occurred during the last several months of using Holosync. Many of my experiences are prefaced by a huge “Ouch!” as conditioned responses and old issues have come to the surface in a fury.
Thankfully, the breakthroughs have been life-changing and the peace that overrides attachment is growing more and more, literally hour to hour.
Personally, by direct experience, I use my own growth as an experimental stage upon which I utilize the various techniques offered through Bill’s tapes and the Sedona Method and various other philosophical/spiritual/ scientific/exercise regimens. I have literally felt my brain change!
A detachment to ups and downs has brought many sighs of relief. Other emotional attachments such as despair, or high hopes, have been experienced as being one and the same within the larger continuum, thereby losing importance within the context of patiently waiting for the external drama to resolve or the inner drama to reveal the deeper letting go requirement. All is experienced through the perspective of what I call “The 500 Year Buddha” meditation. This statement alone, sends me directly to a historical perspective of our human stories, whenever I am tempted to personally engage in a drama, a potentially fearful or emotionally charged situation, or even the ordinary requirements of everyday life that used to feel frustrating or overwhelming.
I identified with the Unitive stage and chuckled at the reference to Magician, as indeed the detachment to suffering feels like magic.
The magical quality being that while no longer reacting to life from the previous perspectives, a genuine caring for the effect of suffering in the lives of friends, relatives and people in the marketplace, gives my life a deeply sacred request to hold the stillness and the 500 year Buddha perspective for the sake of all of us. Thanks to the boost from Holosync, I am able to fulfill my lifelong goal to be of service to this great silence that resides in every one of us. I am able to feel the “pervasive eternal” in the middle of a storm and hold it, not only for myself, but for the “my same self” that is present everywhere at all times and in every person.
Thank you so much for your work Bill, and your associates. Exactly what I needed at the time I needed it appeared.
In service to the great “Aha!”
Your friend,
Teya Priest Johnston
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Great reading Bill,
Thanks for being there….
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Hi,
Thanks for the blogs that put my own development in the “big picture” for me. It’s now easier to see how people relate to each other why people are different. I guess it’s much easier for me to trust the process of growth after reading the blogs. Once again thanks very much. All the best,
Didi
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I found this section to be very helpful–it helped me stretch into new realms. It helped me loosen up where I could feel I was fixated or stuck. I do question, however, how realistic it is to say that the Unitive allows whatever to arise and doesn’t see one state as any better than another, as all are part of the mix of the human condition. In Holosync, there is the sense that having choice is better than not having choice, that being resourceful is better than being unresourceful, and so on. And even though all is happening simultaneously, there still does seem to be an evolutionary direction from lower to higher.
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:54 pm
When Bill sent me an email asking me to send feedback about this post, I really felt like he was asking me personally. Bill said the new addition to the blog was short, but I thought it was quite long actually, which is , of course, a matter of opinion. In terms of feedback, I have read about this stage of development before somewhere , although it may have not been called the Unitive stage. Reaching the unitive stage would be great, but what I do not understand, is whether being a unitive would be like being a person who is so omnipotent, god-like and allusive, adaptable and perhaps even characterless that I am wondering if being at that stage would be easy to live at. Perhaps unitives are lonely? Are they liked by others who have not reached this highest stage? Does my comment make sense to anyone, or am I barking up the wrong tree? Will Bill respond to my comment? I am doing Holosync and I like it. I have been emotional, but I am having some great insights into my life. In addition one time while I was using it, I saw bright lights even though my eyes were closed, which I know is a sign of hitting some kind of zone of pleasure for me. I have similar lights arise in front of me in my mind when I have a very strong orgasm. I am being very honest here, but not in order to shock, but simply to explain what I experienced. I used to see these kinds of lights when I was about 6-9 years old, I remember, and I was very disappointed when I found myself not able to summon them at will when I went to sleep at night. These lights stopped coming to me for some reason.
I will have to read the blog again to really understand it.
Genevieve
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I have been reading Ken Wilber for over ten years now, so the postings have not been that new to me, but they have been a good refresher and good to help remained focussed on what really matters. I find myself constantly having to be alert for the arrogance of, “wow I’m pretty high up the tree” and keep reminding myself that it all doesn’t matter, it’s being what you are where you are whatever that is. but having said that having a wee road map of what might be coming up is helpful to draw us along on the journey.
I’ve been doing holosync for about 8 months and frankly its a struggle. I’m finding far less happening in my meditation than previously. My life is going fabulously well and that may be due to Holosync in part at least. The concepts certainly make sense, so I’m happy keeping at it.
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I THOUGHT YOU SAID SHORT
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
GUESS THAT’S RELATIVE
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Bill,
THanks as always for your work in general but more specifically for this latest series of write ups.Very accurate and informative.Perhaps you could suggest individuals at these levels and or thought systems that adhere and arise from such levels of development.Also i believe your readers would benifit from suggestions for the specif practices and requirements for reaching each of these stages individually.Also a accurate guide for examining where ones developmental level is and how to consistantly raise and remain in the Higher Levels.
Looking forward to your next series,it will be interesting to see what is next for Centerpointe,what programs are to come and if Synthisis and Integration become part of the program so as to assist in a more wholistic approach to raising the collective Consciousness and guiding Humanity through the stages of development.I would like to see your work take a more Global Perspective and adress issues of Developing Nations and the task of bringing them safely through their levels of Development.
Once again thank you and thank you to everyone who participated and who have been “Raised Up” due to these writings and technology.We are all participating in a very special phase of the Cosmic Evolution and unfoldment.Earth herself is raising into higher Unitive stages and all her Beloved SOns and Daughters will be brought will her.It is up to us to align with her Higher Dimensional self and ourselves transform Lower and outdated modes of Consciousness and to develop ourselves and others through these stages consistantly.I wish you all dear ones most speedy and Integrated Personal Spiritual,Mental,Emotional and Physical Development and Ascension!
In Love,Power,Wisdom and Harmony,
Joseph,
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I have read your posts on human development with interest for the past several months. I think it represents a good model for trying to understand the nature of human development and experience. It is also hierarchical, which isn’t a necessarily a bad thing — although I detect an assumption that it is somehow better to be a unitive or a magician or a whatever. This may be because many of the people who have an interest in this development model are functioning along “second-tier” lines, and most of us have an inherent belief that so-called higher development levels are better than less developed levels.
I was interested enough to take the SCTi survey, which yielded interesting results. I am still chewing on the results I received. Not surprisingly, questions I answered ran the gamut of the entire development hierarchy — and several of my answers were interpreted with different meanings than those I was trying to express–which probably underscores some limitations on the enterprise. I am in the process of having people I am close to review the survey to get their perspectives. I am also seeing a therapist, and have shared it with him. At some point, I may even schedule some time with Ms. Cook-Greuter.
As I said, my curiosity is peeked — in that I am both interested in understanding myself better, but am also greatly interested in how this model can be used to make better sense of the human condition.
As far as unitive — I have never met an enlightened person. I have met people who claimed they are enlightened because they had opportunistic tendencies…but actual unitive…I am not sure. Of course, perhaps I have met such a person, but failed to recognize it.
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Thanks Bill,
Very rich series.
Thanks all who post here; I don’t know about you but I take comfort knowing you/we are out there/here.
Excelsior
Jeff
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Bill,
I thoroughly enjoyed your articles on the different stages of human development. VERY interesting stuff! I particularly enjoyed relating to the “Magician”. I feel as if it has put a good deal of perspective on my own growth over the years and it is comforting to know that this journey we are all on is an upward one whereby oneness is the ultimate experience. I look forward to continuing with Holysync and increasing my threshold, as well as experiencing more love, joy and eventually oneness in my life.
Thank you!
-Chris
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Hi Bill,
I really enjoyed this series of blogs on developmental stages. It certainly sheds light on the whole process and greatly enhances the understanding of self development and the use of Holosync technology. Moreover, I get a greater understanding of the experiences of the unitive person, because as you are going through the holosync technology that awareness becomes more pronounced and the experiences you encounter relate to the description of the unitive person, or at least that is what I have experienced.
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Sounds like the unitive entity is a man for all seasons a comellion. Becomes what ever is needed?
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:55 pm
…..thanks for this great series Bill. I am starting Purification Level 2 now and have had a number of big “shifts” during the past two weeks or so. Intuitively (or thereabouts), I know I am going toward this Unitive stage and seemingly at an accelerated pace. It feels like being on the threshold of it, in infant form: not really there yet (fully enlightened), or fully grown, but what a contrast to what I was!
…..and thanks for creating Holosync.
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Well articulated and leaves the space to open to the grace in a wonderful way.
Wonderful to see all the awakening happening at this time of Divine Remembering.
Blessings for you and your work.
>>>>All the paradoxical aspects of existence are now integrated. Polar opposites, such as good and evil, being and not being, self and other, subject and object, existence and non-existence, are experienced without the sense of oppositional tension experienced by those at previous developmental perspectives.
Nicely put; BUT one can discern intent and choice and does not deliberatly linger in a realm where the choice is to manipulate or control the choices of others; nor to neglect response ability. I find there is a greater receptivity to my claim that the forgotten choice of seperation is the primal dis-ease. We align at this time with the Divine and all healing and revealing is possible.
However, the service is to assist our brothers and sisters that we may all be inspired to remember this living wisdom of heart centered being.
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Thanks for describing these developmental steps, especially the fact that even the most advanced can still experience anger or sorrow. When this happens to me (I’ve reached my current threshhold a couple of times lately), I was feeling I had somehow failed and was not applying the appropriate principles. If I experience anger because a tenant does not pay his rent for instance, and I decide to take the steps for eviction, have I lost that sense of oneness or unconditional love?
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I understand intellectually what you have been saying. I doubt if there is enough time in this lifetime for me to achieve the highest level. I have just begun my journey. Will be interesting to see where it takes me.
Thank you for one of the paths I’ve chosen to follow…
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Hi Bill
I am from Australia, where kangaroos jump down the city streets….(in our dreams). I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your latest blog. There is something particularly compassionate about the way you have written it and it leaves me with a great feeling of connection with the world.
Thank you
Jane
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Once again a brillian article somewhat spoilt by the author’s persistent use of masculine pronouns. I know I’m not at the unitive stage by my reactions to once again feeling ‘left out’ because I am a ’she’ and not a ‘he’ or a ‘they’ (presumably ‘they’ are neither/both genders).
“Your perspective is, in fact, the place where you are stuck, the place where you are unaware.” I must be stuck in identifying myself as a female. Does that mean that Bill is stuck in being identified with being male?
Regards Holosynch, I have been doing it religiously for 5 1/2 years, having missed probably less than a month in total. I have made massive progress in that time but I can’t honestly say how much is attributed to Holosynch and how much is attributed to all the other work I have done and continue to do, including A Course in Miracles and a great deal of other therapy. I have no doubt that it helps though and am willing to commit to seeing the whole program through for that reason alone. The power of belief cannot be overestimated and even a little faith in something is enough to produce results. Besides, it has become a habit, almost like a dear friend who I visit with on a regular basis and I like some regularity in my life!
I have certainly had glimpses of the unitive experience because I could relate very easily to Bill’s descriptions. Perhaps more to the point is that I really don’t care what stage I am at most of the time, and that is a lovely place to be. I doubt whether anyone who has truly reached the unitive stage would be reading in here!
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Another great post, I look forward to the next one.
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Bill: By way of analogy, I would like to compare your “Blogs” to a microburst of light which strikes a surprised pallet of film. There, the imprint stays in the embryo of privacy until the developer excites the surface molecules with the energies of his/her own thoughts. Thus, new concepts are formed and because of the uniqueness of each developer, an infinite variety of insights are added to the larger tapestry of thought.
Thank you for all these ideas and interesting discussions. I find that you write in in a lean and unassuming manner. Thank you for sharing!!
Paul
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Dear Bill,
I am very grateful to have stumbled upon your work as a human being. I have always considered myself mild tempered, tolerant and very sensitive to others, considering the world as one and that we are all equal and suffering is unfair and it is painful for me to see a person in need. I am learning that I have become a creation of my painful experiences growing up in a strict and neglectful family environment, in that I feel peoples suffering very deeply and want to take their pain away.
I have been using Holosync as per your instructions everyday (since Sept 07), and checking my budget to see how I can fit in the cost of the deeper levels (left myself broke helping others less fortunate than I). I have to admit though even just on awakening prologue I have come a long way.
It would be an amazing forward step to arrive at the Magician’s level of growth. It would be great to continue to feel with others (as opposed to ignoring it if I cannot help) without the painful emotions that accompany it. I feel it will allow me to develop ways to help others without me becoming one of the them (feelings of guilt).
Please don’t stop what you do as you do provide a way out for those who want a way out of the mind trap and can’t do it alone.
I am trying to convince my sisters to use holosync, but I can only observe how their mindset and beliefs are controlling them and that they are stuck, as they operate their life on autopilot as you explain, and they continue to play the victim, and feel helpless. They continue to tell me this is how it is, and its too late for their life to change for the better (they’re in their forties).
There is hope!
Forever grateful.
Aida.
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Bill:
Thank you so very much for all the work you are doing for our benefit. You are my mentor and Guru. I have been meditating for 18 months with Holosync and have completed 16 months of your 18 month online course. This ongoing blog on the developmental stages of the human being has awakened me to the growth I am going through. I see that I have qualities of all the stages although 18 months ago I was stuck in the beginning stages. I am amazed at how far I have progressed. When I started with Holosync I was a mess you would say. I was broke and depressed on welfare with no hope of going anywhere but down. Since then I have progressed to a person that is very happy with my life and by the way as far as being broke I am making a six figure income. What do you think about that victory?
Thank you Bill. You definitely made a huge difference in my life.
Stephen
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Thank you very much for this wonderful framework of looking at human life and development. It certainly deserves deeper discussion and contemplation.
1. I wonder who among some of the real people we encounter are Unitives - This, in a way, is the view expounded by Lao Tzu and Budha. How about Jesus? Gandhi? Mother Theresa? Einstein? Perhaps, I should read more biographies to recognize when they’ve reached this level.
2. Apparently, this upward development is a natural process when the conditions that bring about awareness happens and when we allow letting go from our old perspectives.
3. Why this takes so long to happen if at all, seem to indicated a “stuckness” a “blockage” in one’s view and perspective which prevents us to experience reality beyond what we had previously gotten used to.
4. Question: Should “stuck-ness” just be allowed to be, or should an intervention (that is not an intervention - wei wu wein- acting without acting of Lao Tzu) be the policy (so to speak)?
5. Is the Unitive, a catalyst in this “grand dance and flow of the universe”? Or is the thought of catalyzing un-unitive? How should we understand the saying “the universe is unfolding as it should”?
6. In the “humility and grace” of seeing the insignificance of one’s achievement in the grand scheme of things, while seeing one’s contribution as essential part of the whole, how does it allow one to play full but without atttachment to what does or does not happen? Where did that indifferent detachment come from? Or would it be an openess to an unknow which one has not considered?
7. In not being identified with a certain “me”, and opening up “to spontaneously take on whatever persona is appropriate to the moment, one’s identity would have shifted from a narrow sense of self to that of one who has expanded it to consider others as well. That’s it, isn’t it?
8. To “trust the process and the way things are” is not the same as accepting and not doing anything about how things are turning out - global warming, increasing disharmony, etc. Isn’t it? Can’t one choose among the conflicting directions of decisions being taken at any given moment and make a choices towards harmony rather than “stuck-ness”?
9. Yes, things are happening in a “perfect way” based on decisions made in the past. But, this “perfect” many to be stuck in suffering and lack of options to get out of stuck-ness. Shouldn’t one make intervening decisions and wouldn’t those decisions have impact on a better “perfect” future one day?
10. Yes, worse or better are simply mental constructs, rather than as innate or intrinsic charactristic of things, events or people. So, what would be better or worse would be qualities of consciousness that produce those mental constructs. There’s the problem where intervening solution should go. Isn’t it?
11. Yes, intervention cannot be forced but should be a natural process of consciousness development as the awareness expands. But, we know there are conditions that block this expansion. This is a sickness - the stuck-ness. And there are solutions. Wouldn’t our heartfelt, compassionate and wise effort have an increasing effective result. Shouldn’t this be the direction of evolution?
12. Yes, I agree, well meaning effort can cause more harm and mere presence has maybe an even greater impact. But, as we can see, there is an imbalance in the world. There lies not a mistake in the system, but in decisions made in the past. There is a learning and correction needed that is not happening. But, the correction should be not only well meaning, but wise - in accord with how nature works. Thus, a need for a direction to reach a level where one is in harmony with nature to be able to work with nature.
13. Thus, the first direction is towards becoming one with nature/universe. Then, to encourage this direction in others.
14. Can this be made as simple as this?
15. Are we not equiped to evolve this way? If we are not, how can it be corrected? Isn’t this direction in accord with the human development process? If we pursue this, wouldn’t we arrive at the higher levels of development?
Just asking myself and my others. Perhaps a continuing discussion will lead to concrete realizations and expansion of consciousness
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
So would you say that eckhart tolle is evolved to the
unitive stage?
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Hello Bill, Thank you for this series, and I thank the Universe? for the computer and the internet, without these tools, I would not have been able to take part in the Centerpointe Blogs and Holysync. Finding all these on the internet has changed by life and I am still in awe about it I have become very much a part of it , as it has confirmed many things I have felt and known and understand why I was out of step with the traditional teaching I received as a child. What a wonder it is to be able to access this on the other side of the world from you To me humanity is a tree and we are all branches and twigs and leaves, Regards Jennifer
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Hi Bill,
I just want to thank you for this series. I don’t have the words to explain what a difference it has made in the way I view the world and my place in it. I have always felt like there was something “wrong” with me; like there was somehow a huge gap between the way I see existance and the way the world works. I was never able to reconsile this difference until now. Understanding how all of us are at different developmental levels, and taking that into consideration when dealing with people helps it all make sence. And, by the way, thank you for Holosync. It has had a more profound effect on my life than anything I’ve ever done. Thanks again.
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Ever since Vietnam when I was just 19 a certain combat mission had a profound affect on my mind. What later became known as PTSD kept me locked at the age of 19 for some time! The VA was of NO or Little help being more concerned with polliical issues than actually doing anything worthwhile.
After starting Holosync I have made substantial improvement, far more than the so-called Doctors could imagine!
Keep up the good work, I need it!
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:40 pm
This series is wonderful, Bill. Thank you.
In this post, I really loved this statement:
“His humility and grace, however, isn’t so much the result of a decision to be that way as it is a natural and spontaneous expression of his perspective.”
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Hi Bill,
Thank you for giving us this series, it is fascinating stuff. If you have the time and the inclination I would love to hear your comments on the different levels of Dr. David Hawkins map of consciousness. Anyway I’m looking forward to your next post no matter what the topic…..
Steve
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Bill, thanks for asking for a response. Your blog on the developmental stages are highly interesting mind - candy! Very enlightening to read and process imho. These categorizations seemed to help me deepen my perspective that each of our individual ways are perfect while different and help me deepen my acceptance of all and lastly my own Self as what it is at this moment. I would like to add for you that I plan on re reading the blog segments, and that on the background that I don’t habitually read as much since I started spiritual practices. These pieces were gems to me and well presented here. I am most grateful.
May 4th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Bill,
Thank you for your continued support! I find this to be a very exciting and important subject. It explains so much about human interaction and the state of our world.
I would love to join you in NYC for “Big Mind” but I need a miracle, which is still in the realm of the possible. I have used the “Big Mind” DVD from the “Integral Life Practice Starter Kit, Version 1.0″. Each and EVERY time I have used it I have had a new life altering realization about who I am. For example one of the strongest was one of the first, when I realized that I am not my “damaged self”. That one realization was worth the whole thing and it didn’t end there. It is a long program to watch so I don’t do it as often as I would like. Yet, each time it takes time to mull over the newly acquired information, which is exactly what your blog has been about. At some point I would love to attend a live workshop. Not only is “Big Mind” an amazing process but Genpo Roshi has an amazing ability to understand this process at a very profound level and is very talented in guiding others through it. . . . .and that is JUST from watching a DVD. I look forward to the real experience at some point.
Susan
May 4th, 2008 at 4:59 am
hi bill,”human development” oh what fun this all is, i’m looking forward to whatever comes next. you be well too bill,love mike.
May 4th, 2008 at 5:01 am
I see, I dont know, I see no point in this, no meaning whatsoever, really there is nothing to understand. Is there meaning to life, to being a human being? Who exactly knows, who will ever know? some people say YES some say NO. I say YES and NO.
These so called teachers are just fooling themselves, there is nothing to teach about an illusion, nothing to teach about aliveness, we are aliveness, need not do one thing. Need not change anything at all, or to sit in a certain way or to practice certain things, who is going to teach ‘me’ how to BE or how to breathe or whatever! Even meditation is in one or many senses pointless because there is nobody there meditating in the first place… saying that meditation makes you more ‘accident prone’ is just a way of selling your stuff to ’stupid’ people. Meditation is good for source/relaxation thats all! You are always at one with the universe, even when thought has obscurred everything in your life, even that is ONEness expressing itself. There is nothing to do at all, no levels to achieve, no dimension to BEING. Anyone at any given moment can transcend without any meditation whatsoever. It just happens like that! Without any teaching whatsoever. There is no indication that one is ever ‘not ready’ for IT.
It´s all too comercial all these workshops and shit and “they” charge people WAY TOO MUCH and for what? try to teach them to be themselves? no effort whatsoever is required for one to be at one with Everything, when everything is included nothing is excluded. All this really doesnt matter, by all means dont listen to my comments, I have no claims!
People come to the workshops or read this and think that they are going to GAIN something and that is the problem/situation and they LOVE it and they will continue to go to all these workshops and shit in the search to be something else than what they already are, and they are FOOLS and the people who arrange these workshops make a GOOD living of them.
Give up ‘the seeking’ to understand, that is the only formula ‘one’ needs.
Many of these so called ‘enlightened masters’ teach non-duality when it cannot ever be taught, its all a spiritual sales market but hey it couldnt be any different from what it is.
Thanks for the input… here is a hint there are no levels because there is no ‘you’. “Even when ‘one’ is stuck in a sense of seperate self, that is still just aliveness or ONEness expressing itself.” What can one do? NOTHING.
I have made no point whatsoever maybe a few pointers but this respons carry no meaning whatsoever. Namaste everyone, namaste indeed. -M
May 4th, 2008 at 5:03 am
Dear Mr. Harris the state of conciousness you are dsicribing is Illumination
or Buddic Conciousness. It is very interesting to me that westerners feel that they have to prove everything in a lab in order to acccept its existince as if human observation were what validated truth.
May 4th, 2008 at 6:01 am
The Unitive was great. Much like the Dreamer and The dreamed in sorcery.
Much like The Observer/Witness of Cosmic Consciousness. Can we ever understand even the material Universe;much less ‘The What’ that set it all in motion and {probably} exists outside of it?
May 4th, 2008 at 6:34 am
I’m curious what your response was to Genpo’s “Now doubt that” comment. For a Unitive who has transcended all polarities — including doubt and certainty — how would doubt be an applicable tool for further development?
May 4th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Hiya,
I am grateful to Susan Cook-Grueter and Ken Wilber for the clearest maps of human existence I’ve yet found.
For those of us at the Strategist and Achiever levels (and I bounce there often), it could be useful to add a caveat. These levels are like probablity clouds. According to Wilber, they are measured in 25% 50% and 25%, so a person is considered at a certain level if 50 % of his/her responses are made at that level, but he/she does 50% of the thinking at either above or below. So when you speak to someone, it can be appropriate to use language at just above the developmental level you think he/she is hanging out in most often.
The other thing these wise folks (and others like Tolle) point out is that evolution is moving toward greater consciousness. And since this is a loving universe, it is moving toward greater joy and less suffering. So as you move up the “levels” you are likely to experience just as much pain (or more) but less suffering. And that’s about all we human expressions of the universe can expect.
Thanks for letting me add a few other themes.
Amanda
May 4th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Thanks Bill!
I have used the holosync 2 years now, and Im going to use it to the blessing;-) end.
Nothing has changes, except my point of vieuw all the time;-)
May 4th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Bill,good stuff. You are probably familiar with David R.Hawkins,if not,
I would recommend one of his Books “THE EYE OF THE I”.
Bill,you are a Mensch. You seem to be committed to helping people
help themselves get out of their own way.
A fan,
Ralph
May 4th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I’ve been reading an online book by Peter Brown entitled, “Dirty Enlightenment.” It’s posted at his website, http://www.theopendoorway.or/ I find what he’s expressing to be an excellent example of the Unitive stage of development you so well describe. I would encourage others to read this online book.
May 4th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Thanks Bill. That was quite fulfilling to read. I do not really
know exactly where I am in my journey, but I am enjoying
it more and more everyday. Sending lots of love and light.
Thanks so much for your insights and all the effort that you
put into the process.
As ever,
AZ!
May 4th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Dear Bill,
I won’t pretend that I know it all, or will resort to the old defense, “I knew that.”
Some of the material seemed a little convoluted (but aren’t we humans that way!)
Your final post is excellent. It might be summed up as:
You must just be;now.
Regards,
Ollie Lind
May 4th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Hello to all,
This is a very interesting read inviting us all to find our own place in the scheme of things. Now if we are to let whatever happens to in and around us be o.k., aren’t you inviting us to do some judging at the same time, however unattached to the outcome we might be? A paradox. Accepting what we are immersed in while striving to get out of it. Feeling more intensely than ever before and at the same time watching it happen.
All I can say is that it makes the ride much more interesting. I used to feel there is something wrong with me because I’d do things and at the same time recognize the pitfalls and see a number of other possibilities. too often I wouldn’t dare the unexpected. Too often that was frustrating.Lately I’ve been having more fun doing what I feel like and just watching myself be happy or squirming in misery. Interacting with people is so much based on habits, it truly does make me laugh out loud at myself sometimes.
Thank You for Holosynch, I’m grateful I found it. Verena
May 4th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Thanks for this wonderful last article on the Unitives and the description of all the ways of living life on that level of consciousness. Of course I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be one…but it must be extraordinary in some sense to be alive at that level. I suppose it would be like being God and being aware on every possible level of life in this world and all the other worlds that exist in the universe….yet also detached - letting everything flow and just be. I can’t really imagine being able to not judge myself or others actions’ or world events, but just let them be, knowing the perfection of all things and all people, no matter what that appeared to be. I do think that Holosync is a wonderful gift to humanity on many levels… but more importantly in this one aspect and that is that it gives us the ability to be detached yet fully engaged with ourselves and others..the witness in the moment giving ourselves the opportunity to integrate fully all the time moving us on to greater awareness that pushes the envelope…and what would have overwhelmed at an earlier stage no longer does and so on. Thank you.
May 4th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Thank you, Bill.
I think developmental theories such as this one are crucial for dealing with the global issues we are facing today.
I love the fact that, in general, the people at each higher level of development are happier, healthier and wealthier. They also have greater empathic capacity, which is the most important developmental capacity in my opinion. In order to develop empathy we must expand our worldview and heal and integrate our disowned shadow aspects. The latter is rarely discussed yet is the sticky stuff that keeps pulling us back down into the lower levels we are seeking to transcend and include.
Thanks again, Bill - you are a beacon of light in the world!
Love & Laughter,
Kurt
Author, Inward & Upward
May 4th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Wow, pretty neat, I read about half of it and what I read was very interesting. There has to be a way to get the growth holosync provides in less time. Where did you come up with the time lengths to spend at each level? I love you.
James
May 5th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Hi,
This series has been a v