1. Welcome to Issue #168 (January 2007) of MIND CHATTER, 
the e-mail newsletter of Centerpointe Research Institute: 
http://www.centerpointe.com.

Mind Chatter is published once a month, on or about the 16th of each month.

Please send Mind Chatter to a friend, and please send us 
your questions, comments, and suggestions.

If this issue has been forwarded to you, and you'd like to subscribe to
Mind Chatter, visit http://www.centerpointe.com/newsletter.  To view
Mind Chatter archives, visit http://www.centerpointe.com/newsletter/archives.php

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2. If you would like to unsubscribe, you can manage your account 
   via the link at the end of this newsletter. 
   (But please don't. We like you and we want you to stay.)

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3. In This Issue

// MindQuotes (scroll to #5)

// A few recommendations that may benefit you (scroll to item #6)

// Important Announcements

// Feature Article
   Are You Developing a Problem? 
   Or do you have a problem in your development?
   by Bill Harris, Director (scroll to item #7)

// Participant Letters (scroll to #8)

// Life Principles In Practice (scroll to #9)

// Coach's Corner (scroll to #10)
   Welcome to our new feature, where each month a Centerpointe Support Coach 
   shares their personal experiences with books that have inspired them, 
   life-changing coaching experiences, and other information we're sure you'll 
   find enlightening and enriching. This month, we hope you'll enjoy:
   
   Tools of the Trade:
   Using Witnessing to Shift Your Focus
   by Nancy Carlton

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4. MIND CHATTER contains articles about:

// How you create your life--and how you can stop unconsciously creating 
experiences and outcomes you do not want, and instead begin to create 
exactly what you do want

// Personal and spiritual growth in general

// Meditation (high- and low-tech)

// Recovery from emotional trauma

// Pretty much any other subject I get excited about and want to write about. 
After all, it's my company and my newsletter,  and I can do whatever 
I want with it. So there.

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5. Mind Quotes

The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new.
--Pema Chodron 

Know what's weird? Day by day, nothing seems to change, but pretty
soon...everything's different. 
--Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes 

Have you learned the lessons only of those who admired you, and were tender with
you, and stood aside for you? Have you not learned great lessons from those who
braced themselves against you, and disputed passage with you? 
--Walt Whitman

If you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly
those moments.
--Anne Morrow Lindbergh

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6. Meditate Instead of Medicate!

Unless you've been living in a cave lately, you must have seen some of the
recent news about the health benefits of meditation.

It's everywhere...

* An article published in the American Heart Association journal, Stroke, 
  recently reported that meditation can reduce cholesterol buildup and the 
  associated risk of heart attack and stroke.

* And another study of the elderly found that meditation actually 
  added years to their lives.

* The National Institutes of Health reports that regular meditation reduces 
  chronic pain, anxiety, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and 
  cortisol (sometimes called "the stress hormone") production.

* A University of Wisconsin-Madison study discovered 
  meditation boosts brain function and the immune system.

* A recent issue of the American Journal of Hypertension featured the 
  results of a study showing a significant lowering of blood pressure in a 
  group of meditators compared to a control group of people who didn't meditate.
 
  The study also reported a 23% decrease in usage of antihypertensive drugs 
  between the group of meditators and the other group.

* A Harvard study also concluded that regular meditation can reduce pain, 
  lower blood pressure, and cut production of the stress hormone, cortisol.

* The most recent study by The American Heart Association shows heart 
  and artery health improved 69 percent in test groups practicing meditation.

And this is just the beginning.

Practically every time you turn around there's another study documenting and
supporting fantastic health and wellness benefits of meditation.

So, what's the quickest way to actually achieve these amazing benefits?

If there's a downside to meditation it's this... Traditional meditation can take
years, even decades to master.	

The Holosync Solution changes all that.

Holosync uses advanced scientific technology to induce deep states of meditation
virtually at the push of a button.

Most regular users of Holosync report fabulous results in weeks rather than
years.

Try Holosync for yourself-for FREE!

Click visit http://www.centerpointe.com/demo/ to get a FREE Holosync demo CD so
you can see for yourself how this powerful technology can improve your life.

Here's an even better idea.  Go ahead and order Awakening Prologue (the first
level of The Holosync Solution) and get started with the real thing.

With our One-Year 100% Iron-Clad Guarantee, you can do so with no risk
whatsoever.  

Use Holosync for up to a full year and enjoy all the powerful and lasting
benefits this kind of meditation brings you.  And if you decide that Holosync
isn't everything we promise, simply let us know and you can return it for a full
refund.  It's just that simple.

If you have any interest at all in increased health and vigor, increased
longevity, lower blood pressure, peace of mind, and all the other great benefits
of meditation, at least give Holosync a try.

Remember you can get a FREE demo CD by going to 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.centerpointe.com/demo/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And to learn all about the science behind Holosync, check out our extensive
articles section here: 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.centerpointe.com/about/articles.php
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

** // **

Announcements

You can resolve that big issue you've been struggling with...

The amazing 5-Day Transformation for those 
who don't have time to wait for tremendous change!

Participants at our last retreat were blown away by 
the new material I presented--and you will be, too!

Though I knew it was going to happen, it still was quite shocking. 

I'm used to seeing people leave Centerpointe retreats experiencing a huge
transformation, but as people left our latest retreat, something was
different--very different. 

Though a part of me expected it, I was still awed by what happened. Person after
person approached me as the retreat ended and said, "You changed my life"..."I
don't know how to thank you"... "This was the missing piece for me"..."I can't
thank you enough."

Why in the world did this happen?

I've been getting tremendous positive feedback about these retreats for many
years, but never anything like this. Why was the feedback even more positive?

Here's what I think: in addition to all the other powerful things we do at the
retreats, I completely changed the material I present to reflect the Nine
Principles for Conscious Living I teach in my Life Principles Integration
Process online courses.* 

This material describes how we create unhappiness and suffering and how we can
create happiness and inner peace instead. Because this description is so clear,
everyone who heard it (and practiced it during the retreat) had a huge shift.

I promise that the same thing can happen for you...

If you've ever thought of attending a retreat...or coming to your 2nd or 3rd
retreat...NOW would be the time to come. Here is one person's description of
what happens at these retreats:

"There's no way to really describe it. It was intense, emotional, hilarious,
intimate, fun, exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. Most wonderful
was being part of a group that accepted, supported, listened, laughed and cried
with me. We arrived carrying different bags but left singing the same tune, and
manifested such respect and love for one and all.

"It was like falling in love with 50 people at the same time. Each so different
and yet the same. It sounds impossible and perhaps that's why it was so
special--being with a group of human beings that most people only read about but
never get to truly immerse themselves in.

"I learned a lot about myself and how I interact with others. I learned that
being vulnerable, being open and sharing with others takes tremendous courage.
So I want to thank each and every one of the participants and the staff because
each one took the necessary risks to create that tremendous group dynamic at the
retreat.

"If anyone out there is wondering about going on the next retreat, stop
wondering and just do it. It just might change your life."  --Mickey R.

At a Centerpointe retreat...

// You'll experience a true quantum leap--taking everything to a higher level...

// With some of the most experienced "personal change coaches" in the world, 
   you'll experience a profound shift in that life issue you so much want 
   (and need) to change...

// You'll meet other Centerpointe participants who become lifelong friends...

// You'll "get" what "it" (and your life) is all about, and...

// You'll experience some "industrial strength" Holosync, pushing you to 
   new levels of personal growth, positive change, and deeper self-awareness.

I'm at a loss to precisely describe what happens and what it feels like, but
I'll tell you this...

...it feeds a deep part of every person who attends. 

This experience of unconditional positive regard, just by itself, creates
tremendous change--not to mention everything else that happens at a retreat. (No
one, I hasten to add, is forced to open up or be close to others, but you will
feel safe doing so, and you'll find yourself feeling good doing so.) 

Here's another big reason for coming...

As he has at retreats since 1992, performer/song-writer/old soul/recording
artist/genius/amazing human being Michael Stillwater--who participants describe
as spellbinding, entrancing, heart-opening, and awe-inspiring--will be there. I
couldn't imagine a retreat without Michael's love and talent.

Michael is one of the funniest human beings I know (every year he composes
several absolutely hilarious songs spoofing me and Centerpointe that have
everyone rolling in the aisles), and he's one of the most talented song writers
and performers on the planet (really). He was asked to perform at the 9/11
Memorial Service in Washington, D.C., and has the ability to help people touch
the deepest parts of themselves. I know you'll find him to be...

 ...one of the most amazing experiences of your entire life (really)! 

On the last evening we'll have a big celebration to bring everything to a
climax. These end-of-retreat celebrations are always awesome, and I'm sure this
one will be, too! 

In fact, my commitment is to make each retreat even better than the last
one--which means you're sure to have an incredible experience!

This retreat could be a real turning point in your life...

You'll leave the retreat renewed and changed. If there's something that's been
difficult for you to resolve in your life, or if you just want to move to a new
level in your growth, this retreat could be the turning point--as it has been
for nearly everyone who has attended.

You don't have to drive, work, cook, problem solve, take care of others, or do
anything except meditate, open your heart, heal your past, take charge of your
life, let go of what's	been holding you back, make new friends--and, move your
life to a whole new level. 

You really can experience 6 months (or more) of growth...in just 5 days! 

I know this sounds like an outlandish promise, but it's absolutely true.

People rave about our retreat staff... 

Even if this were all, this next retreat would be incredible. But, in addition,
I'm absolutely thrilled to again have Dr. Beverlee Marks Taub, Ph.D. ("Dr.
Bev"), as part of the retreat staff. 

I've known and worked with Dr. Bev since 1985. She helped me create the original
Centerpointe support materials, and is one of the country's most top
transformational therapists. 

I've seen Dr. Bev help resolve difficult and long-standing issues in a single
therapeutic session. If you need a breakthrough, she will be available to help
you achieve it. 

Here's what Dr. Bev said after a previous retreat:

"Bill Harris has swirled together a magical mix of technology, supportive staff
and evocative processes, which provide a safe crucible for the changes waiting
to happen. 

"Participants know at a deep level they are safe. The grosser elements of
psychic and emotional debris are thrown off, revealing the pure gold of the true
authentic self, waiting to be reclaimed.

"Bill is the Grand Master of this whole show. Part scientist and part irreverent
talk show host, he penetrates the collective social facade, and gets everybody
laughing about the riotous 'stuff' we all have and take so seriously. He wields
his precision technology like a laser and knows just how and when to go deeper
or to lighten up. 

"Bill says in his commentary on the process that five days on retreat provides
six months of transformational growth. Because I saw physical, emotional and
spiritual evidence to support this claim, I now believe this is true."

Internationally known therapist and workshop leader Doris Laesser will also be
there.	Doris has been in private practice for two decades, working at
University Children's Hospital in Zurich, as a lecturer at the Institute for
Psychology and the Fritz Perls Institute, and has been a workshop leader  at the
Cortona Conference in Italy for the University of Zurich.

And, Mariah Wentworth and Jean Greene, our two "body specialists," will be
there, leading us each day in movement and stretching and giving...

...incredible massages.

So please, come to the retreat. You'll have a tremendous experience, you'll
learn a lot, you'll dramatically accelerate your growth, you'll listen to some
very powerful Holosync soundtracks, you'll meet a lot of great people, and
you'll...

...learn some exciting new things about...you! 

The cost for all this is only $2877 (tuition and lodging combined).  This
includes accomodations for six nights, three delicious meals a day, all
presentations, and lots of attention from me and from the incredible growth
coaches we've invited. Plus, if you sign up by February 1st, I'll knock a full
$100 off the price. 

Here's my personal guarantee: If, at the end of the retreat, you don't think it
was the most transformative experience you've ever had, just come see me before
you leave and I'll refund your tuition. 

I make this guarantee because I know if I can just get you there...

...something will happen that will change your life forever!

Please act quickly, though. This upcoming retreat is already over half full,
even before I send this issue of Mind Chatter! For the last several retreats,
it's become common for us to turn people away. So if you want to be at this next
one...

...please let us know right away. 

To reserve your spot, we need a $495 deposit, payable with Visa, Mastercard,
check or money order. Please note that this deposit is not refundable, unless we
cancel the retreat. The balance of your payment will be due 45 days before the
retreat begins. For more infomation, including the specifics of each retreat, go
to www.centerpointe..com and click on retreats, or call us at 1-800-945-2741 or
503-672-7117.

So that's it. Please come. You'll be shaking your head in wonder when it's all
over, just as I was after the last retreat. You really can make tremendous
progress with--even totally resolve--that big issue you've been struggling with.
I'm really excited to finally meet you in person, and I know you'll enjoy
meeting the other participants. 

To avoid the possibility of missing out, please call or write now to reserve
your spot.

See you there!					

Regards,
William Harris, Director

P.S.:  Don't forget: there is a 100% money back guarantee on this retreat. I
expect it to fill up fast, so reserve your spot right away. Spending five days
with Michael Stillwater and Dr. Beverlee Marks Taub and Doris Laesser (and me!)
is worth the price of the retreat all by itself, so don't delay! 

Reserve your spot now by calling 1-800-945-2741 or 503-672-7117. Or send your
deposit to: Centerpointe Research Institute, 1700 NW 167th Place, Suite 220,
Beaverton OR 97006. You can also reserve your spot by faxing your name, address,
and credit card number with expiration date to 503-643-3114. (For more info, and
to see pictures of past retreats, go to www.centerpointe.com and click on
"Retreats.")

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7. Feature Article
Are You Developing a Problem? 
Or do you have a problem in your development?
By Bill Harris

Life is a developmental process, even for those who never participate in
personal or spiritual growth work. As this process unfolds, we see ourselves,
and the world, from increasingly new and expanding perspectives. Our idea of
what is and isn't important changes, as does our way of determining right and
wrong, our way of handling social interactions, our problem solving abilities,
and many other aspects of who we are and how we operate in the world.

Each new stage involves the ability to see yourself, other people, and the
world, from a broader and more inclusive perspective. This ability to see things
from a wider, more all-encompassing perspective is often called expanded
awareness by spiritual teachers. 

Different models of human development divide this process into stages in various
ways, depending on which developmental scientist or expert is doing the
dividing. Last month I described two of these models. The simplest has three
main stages: egocentric (me-centered), ethnocentric (us-centered, or
group-centered), and world-centric (all-of-us-centered). I also described a more
complex model with at least six stages, which I will use in this article. 

Regardless of which model is used, the wider, more all-encompassing perspective
of each new stage includes the capabilities and awareness of the previous stage,
then adds new and more encompassing capacities.
 
At a given stage, one is completely immersed in the perspectives of that stage,
whether cognitive, emotional, social, ethical, spiritual, or otherwise. At the
next stage, however, this immersion ends (replaced by immersion in the
perspective of the new stage), and one clearly sees the characteristics of the
previous stage. Instead of being those ways of thinking, as when immersed in
them, you now have them. They are now part of your available repertoire, whereas
before they were automatic and unconscious. What was subject (what you are)
becomes object (what you have).

To review last month's article, you can read it by visiting:
http://www.centerpointe.com/newsletter/mindchatter_06_12.txt

Developmental challenges, developmental rewards

The transition from one level to the next presents potential challenges. If not
met, these challenges can result in the development of various mental,
emotional, and spiritual pathologies. In this article I'd like to describe some
of those challenges, and what can be done about them. 

Each transition to a new level involves moving through what Ken Wilber calls a
fulcrum- a transition point, or milestone-of development. Before a developmental
shift one is stabilized at a certain level. In this stability, one comfortably
operates in the world, using the ways of thinking, acting, and perceiving that
are characteristic of that level. 

A potential transition to the next level can occur, however, if environmental
conditions change, demanding the development of new perspectives and
capabilities. When a child begins the first grade, for instance, he must now
deal with unfamiliar people and situations outside the nuclear family. When a
young adult goes away to college, she must develop the abilities and
perspectives that allow her to deal with new freedoms and responsibilities.
Similar developmental possibilities occur when a young adult goes out into the
world to find his or her first job. New environmental conditions demand new ways
of thinking and new ways of operating in the world. In adapting to these new
conditions, development (hopefully) happens.

As the transition to a higher level begins, the previous stability is
threatened. The individual begins to dis-identify with the old level and its
ways of being as these old methods and perspectives become less effective. New
circumstances force an end to the previous unconscious immersion in the old ways
of thinking, acting, and perceiving characteristic of that level. If the
transition is a healthy one, the individual transcends the previous level,
integrates aspects of the old level with those of the new, and begins to
discover how to function from a new perspective.

This new level is not an abandonment of the perspectives of the previous level,
however. In addition to new ways of thinking and operating in the world, the new
stage also integrates and includes many ways of thinking from the previous
level. The previous level is not abandoned, but rather absorbed, integrated. Its
perspective is retained, and is now seen in the larger and more inclusive
perspective of the new level.

Two problems

There are two potential problems in this process. In healthy development, we
differentiate from the previous level while, at the same time, we integrate the
elements of the new level into the self. If there are traumatic emotional
experiences at the time of the transition, however, they can result in a failure
to differentiate, a failure to integrate, or both.

Failure to differentiate creates fusion with or fixation on certain aspects of
the previous level. In other words, we fail to transcend aspects of the previous
level that don't work in the new circumstances. Instead, we remain fused with
them. We cling to them, even though they don't work, which creates problems. We
operate in the new circumstances using the tools of the previous developmental
level. We act in an immature manner, using behaviors or ways of thinking that
are inappropriate or not resourceful. 

Magical thinking, for instance, is a characteristic of the second fulcrum that
is left behind at the next developmental stage in a healthy transition. However,
if there is a failure to differentiate, magical thinking may remain, thus
crippling the self's ability to create intended outcomes in the world.

The other potential problem is a failure to integrate the perspective of the new
stage with that of the old. This results in repression, alienation, or
fragmentation. Certain aspects of the previous level are not integrated into the
new level. Instead, they are either repressed, becoming neurotic shadow
material, or they are split off from the new way of being in the world, becoming
subpersonalities.

Both failure to differentiate (i.e., transcend the old) and failure to integrate
(i.e., include the new)--depending on which developmental transition is
affected--result in different types of psychopathology. Let's look at the first
few developmental fulcrums to see how this works.

A quick tour

The self starts out undifferentiated from its environment. An infant cannot tell
where its body ends and the rest of the environment begins. It is immersed in
this undifferentiated, oceanic experience of oneness. Sometime during its first
year, however, the infant discovers that if he bites his finger, he feels pain,
but when he bites his rattle, there is no pain. The infant begins to make a
distinction between self and other (i.e., to differentiate one from the other).
He moves away from his previous fusion with his environment toward a new
identification (i.e. integration) with his emotional, or feeling, body. This is
the beginning of the second developmental stage.

Later, at about 3 years of age, the conceptual mind begins to emerge. As he once
experienced a differentiation between self and environment, the child now
distinguishes between his new conceptual mind and his already-discovered
emotional feeling-body. This marks the beginning of the third developmental
stage. Ken Wilber points out that these three stages represent the expansion of
the child's perspective from identification with matter, to body, to early
mind.(1) 

Each stage transition involves differentiation and integration, or, you might
say, transcendence of the old perspective and inclusion of the new. The child
differentiates from the perspective of the current level (seeing it as object,
rather than experiencing it as subject) and identifies with the next higher
level (which becomes the new subject). In the third fulcrum, for instance, the
child differentiates from his emotional self, having it rather than being it,
and then integrates the newly formed conceptual mind with the feelings of the
body.

Either a failure to differentiate or a failure to integrate can result in
psychological pathology. When this happens, the self is in some way prevented
from its normal development and is less able to function normally and
resourcefully in the world. If, for instance, the conceptual mind fails to
differentiate from bodily feelings in the transition between stages two and
three, the person may be overwhelmed with painful and intense emotions,
experience powerful mood swings, and be unable to control his impulses.

If, on the other hand, the mind and body successfully differentiate, but fail to
integrate (differentiation goes too far, becoming a dissociation of body from
mind), the result is classic neurosis--the repression of bodily feelings by the
newly formed ego or the conscience. 

The effects of trauma

Differentiation and integration processes can potentially misfire at each
developmental transition point, with a different type of pathology in each
instance. If, for instance, an infant fails to differentiate from its physical
environment (between stage one and stage two), the result is psychosis. The
person cannot tell where his body stops and the environment begins. He
hallucinates. He may think inanimate objects are talking to him, and so on. 

If the emotional self has difficulty differentiating itself from others (between
stages two and three), narcissism, where others are treated as extensions of the
self, can result. Symptoms include a grandiose sense of self-importance;
fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty; a sense of
specialness or uniqueness; a sense of entitlement to special privileges; an
inability to see the perspective of others; feelings of envy or a belief that
others envy him, and a willingness to take advantage of or manipulate others.  

A second pathology at this fulcrum is borderline disorders, where the person
feels as if his fragile boundaries are constantly invaded or disrupted by
others. Borderlines experience unstable and intense interpersonal relationships.
Others are alternately idealized and then demonized. They have an unstable
self-image or sense of self, and may exhibit impulsive behavior, possibly in
areas such as spending, sex, eating disorders, substance abuse, or reckless
driving. They may exhibit recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats.
Other symptoms include self-mutilation, intense episodes of irritability or
anxiety, chronic feelings of emptiness, inapproriate anger or difficulty
controling anger, paranoid thoughts, and fears of abandonment. 

At this fulcrum a failure to differentiate creates a fusion with the old, less
mature emotional self of the previous level, while a failure to integrate leads
to a repression of the emotional self by the newer cognitive self, creating
classic neurosis. 

The self defends itself from trauma, should it occur, at each level, using the
tools of that level. In the above example, for instance, the self uses the newly
formed mental/cognitive self to repress the older emotional self. At the first
fulcrum, though, the self has fewer tools. It has only sensations and
perceptions, and a few other primitive tools. It can only defend itself in
primitive ways, such as fusing with the physical environment, hallucinatory wish
fulfillment, and perceptual distortion--all of which make up the classic
psychosis seen when there is trauma at this level of development.

At the second fulcrum, the self adds intense feelings and the newly emerging
ability to create mental symbols. These tools give rise to the defenses of this
stage, which include dividing the world into all good and all bad, projecting
intense feelings onto others, and fusing with the emotional world of others--all
of which are seen in either narcissism or borderline disorders.

At the third fulcrum, the self has developed more advanced forms of conceptual
thinking and the beginning of rules, which, if trauma occurs, are used to
repress the body and its feelings, and to create reaction formations.(2) 

At fulcrum four (generally between ages 6-12), the self begins to develop the
ability to take the role of others. This is a movement away from egocentricity
and the beginning of an ethnocentric identification with one's social or ethnic
group. At this stage the self begins to organize beliefs and behavior around
rules and social roles (rather than impulses, as before).

Script pathologies

If trauma occurs during this transition, a script pathology may occur. Emotional
trauma induces the self to adopt unresourceful, false, misleading scripts,
stories, and myths, which become a central force in the person's ideas about who
they are, what the world is all about, and how to deal with others. A "life
script" is created around which life is organized and created. The person
unconsciously sets out to prove the "truth" of his script, attracting the
necessary players and situations, despite the fact that such "proof" often makes
a functional, resourceful, or happy life impossible.

At the fifth fulcrum, the self-reflexive ego emerges. Instead of organizing
itself around social rules and roles, a more independent and individualistic
self emerges, organized around universal principles. For instance, the self may
decide that though taking a life is wrong (against the rules), in certain
situations--for instance, when one's family is threatened with severe harm, or
when one death might save many lives--a higher principle may override the rule.
The principle of justice, for instance, may in some cases override specific
rules.

This fulcrum is a shift from conventional, conformist thinking, to
post-conventional, more individually motivated thinking. The self at this stage
creates something in the world (for example, an entrepreneurial idea, a work of
art, or some other individually motivated project or goal). Where at the
previous stage the self was immersed in its roles, career, and work duties, now
the self has these, but they are not who the self is.

The independent self

The self at this point is faced with an interesting challenge. How does one
create an identity independent of conventional rules, ethics, and roles, as
defined by society? If rules and roles do not cover a given situation, what
criteria, what principles, can be used for guidance? This fulcrum signals the
development, for the first time, of an internally guided self, as opposed to the
socially guided self of the previous stage.

If there is trauma at this transition, intimacy problems may result, as this is
the first sign of a real, individual self with the ability to be intimate with
another. Prior to this stage, relationships are not truly intimate, but rather
are governed by roles and rules. 

If differentiation fails to take place at this fulcrum, the self may remain
fused with previous roles and rule-bound ways of being in the world, leaving one
feeling inauthentic, deadened, and fixated on following rules that may no longer
work in the new life circumstances. Rather than developing the needed ability to
deal with ambiguity and "shades of gray"--new at this level--the self may remain
fixated on the black and white thinking of the previous level. In addition,
certain self-esteem issues may be related to trauma at this developmental
transition, creating an "identity crisis."

The undifferentiated self at this fifth fulcrum may feel defined by his
performance in the world (a characteristic of this stage), but may lack the
tools and perspective he needs from the next stage to be a success in that
performance. As a result, he may experience severe self-doubt, feeling isolated
from roles characteristic of the previous stage but with no emerging method of
self-definition from the next. 

Constructive judgments about oneself are a positive addition to the self's
toolkit at the fifth fulcrum. However, if it is traumatized (and therefore
remains undifferentiated) the self may become highly and unconstructively
self-critical. This may result in feelings of being out of control, weak, and
ineffective. In this case, old methods of being in the world no longer work,
while new methods seem unavailable or unworkable. The person may ask, "Will I
produce something of value with my life?"

If, on the other hand, integration fails to take place at this fifth fulcrum,
dissociation may occur between the rules and roles of the previous stage and the
emerging internal guiding principles of the newly developing individual self. As
the healthy individual makes this transition, he retains the wisdom contained in
the rules and roles of the previous stage, but also knows when to resourcefully
deviate from them. The unhealthy person, lacking integration, may act as if no
rules apply at all--a nihilistic attitude leading to an inability to accomplish
desired outcomes in the world, and an ability to get along socially.

There's always room at the top

Most people in Western cultures move through the first four of these
developmental stages. A smaller minority continues to the fifth stage, and an
even smaller number progress to the sixth stage and perhaps beyond. Because few
people reach these higher stages, less information exists about them, and about
their transitional fulcrums and the related pathologies.

The sixth fulcrum continues this investigation of existential issues and
questions of self-actualization and body-mind integration. Whereas before the
self was interested in its own group, this is the beginning of a more
world-centric view, with a new and growing awareness of "all of us." If,
however, trauma creates a failure to differentiate, the self remains fixated on
more individualistic points of view, failing to allow a transition to the
"all-of-us" outlook of this new stage. On the other hand, if integration fails
to happen, the best aspects of individuation may not be integrated into the ways
of being of the new stage.

Failure to successfully navigate the transitions from level to level takes on a
different character in the higher stages. The lower fulcrums are generally
experienced during childhood, when the self has less personal power, less life
experience, and fewer mental and emotional resources. Traumas during childhood
create familiar mental health problems: psychosis, neurosis, personality
disorders, and so forth. Trauma at the higher fulcrums, however, tends to create
more existential, or even spiritual, dilemmas, the resolution of which may
involve quite different solutions than those used with traditional mental health
problems.

Failure to cleanly move from the fifth to the sixth fulcrum often leads to what
Ken Wilber with tongue in cheek, has called "boomeritis," named after the baby
boomer generation, who make up a fair number of Americans at the sixth
developmental level (called "Green" by some people). Those who have failed to
make this transition in a healthy way tend to see the world from what Wilber
calls "flatland," where "everything is equal, and every voice has equal value."
Hierarchies, in this unhealthy version of the sixth level, are bad, even
oppressive. Ironically, one of the hidden characteristics of this no-hierarchy
point of view is that "our point of view is better"--clearly a hierarchical
view! A similar contradiction occurs when Greens call for "an end to
ideologies"--wrapped in clearly ideological trappings.(3)

The seventh fulcrum involves the addition of the transpersonal(4) domain to the
self's perspective. The self's perspective becomes solidly world-centric rather
than group-centric. The healthy individual now has a self-actualized, fully
worked-out identity, a fully developed ability to deal with complexity and
ambiguity (rather than, for instance, the black-and-white, rule-bound thinking
of some earlier stages), and the ability and broader perspective to see his or
her place in the overall ecology of the planet. The self sees the relationships
between many variables, and has the ability to easily see and evaluate the
consequences of multiple possible actions and their outcomes.

A failure to differentiate, as before, creates a fixation on, or fusion with,
ways of being of the previous level, where the now-unworkable or outmoded
aspects of the previous level are clung to, even though better ways of dealing
with the world are now available. A failure to integrate would create
dissociation from (rather than an integration of) the ways of being of the
previous stage with those of the new stage. Again, specifics about the
pathologies of this, and higher, levels are scarce.

The solution

Now let's look through these developmental transitions again, this time looking
at possible treatments. When there is a failure to differentiate or integrate at
one of the transitional fulcrums, the earlier in life the trauma occurred, the
more difficult it will be to successfully treat the resulting pathology.
Pathologies are, in a sense, regressions to earlier stages, and the earliest
stages are difficult to access. In addition, the cognitive skills and the level
of awareness available at the earliest levels are more primitive. Finally, the
emotions involved are much more primal and disconnected from any rational
thought process that might be helpful in resolving them.

At the first fulcrum, the self is still largely undifferentiated from the
material world. Traumas at this stage are therefore quite primal. This can
result in some very severe pathologies: a disturbing lack of self-boundaries,
infantile autism, and some forms of psychosis. Trauma at this first fulcrum is
generally resistant to treatment, other than medication or pacification.
However, certain somewhat controversial treatments such as Stanislav Grof's
holotropic breathwork, or Arthur Janov's primal scream therapy, have claimed
some success in accessing the deep wounds of this fulcrum, allowing the self to
re-experience them in full awareness, and hopefully allowing integration to take
place.

The second fulcrum is the separation-individuation stage. In the healthy
individual, the emotional body differentiates from the emotions and feelings of
others. Traumas at this stage lead to narcissistic and borderline disorders,
where the self treats the world and others as extensions of the self
(narcissism) or as potentially dangerous and painful invaders of the self's
boundaries (borderline personality disorders).

Do you believe in magic?

The worldview of this stage is that of magical thinking. This type of thinking
is charming in a child, but can be debilitating in an adult who, due to trauma
(a failure to differentiate) experienced at this fulcrum, is fixated at that
stage. I have often written about belief in magic--the idea that one can merely
hope or wish or "put it out to the universe" and receive the fruits of such
wishing, as if by magic, but without taking action to create commensurate value.
It is trauma suffered at this level that fixates the self in this type of
thinking and allows an otherwise adult self to entertain such magical thoughts.

In dealing with borderline pathologies, the problem isn't that a strong self
represses bodily feelings (as in typical neurosis, which happens at the next
fulcrum). Instead, there is no strong self to begin with. The outlines of the
self are fragile, giving the person the impression that others are invading
their boundaries or controlling them. 

Treatment therefore consists of structure-building techniques that seek to build
up the ego's strength and create strong boundaries. Because the self is not yet
strong enough or developed enough to repress anything, there is little repressed
material to recover. Instead, therapy seeks to help complete the process of
separation and individuation (the main tasks at this stage), creating a strong
self and clear emotional boundaries. Treatment approaches include aspects of
object relations therapy, psychoanalytic ego psychology, self psychology, and a
number of other approaches.

Classical neurosis

At the third fulcrum we see the emergence and differentiation of the early ego
or persona from the body and its impulses, feelings, and emotions, followed by
the integration of these feelings into the new conceptual self. Trauma at this
fulcrum creates classical neurosis, including anxiety, depression, phobias,
obsessive-compulsive disorders, and guilt. The new conceptual self is
overwhelmed by the strong feelings of the body, particularly sex and aggression,
and in trying to defend against them represses them, creating impulsive
subpersonalities.

Treatment generally involves re-contacting these repressed shadow feelings and
reintegrating them into the self. These techniques are often referred to as
uncovering techniques because they attempt to uncover and reintegrate the
shadow. The process involves getting in touch with the early trauma and the
associated alienated feelings, drives, and impulses, integrating what has for so
long remained dissociated, and at long last restoring harmony to the self. Such
treatments include classic psychoanalysis, Gestault Therapy, the shadow work of
Jungian therapy, Eugene Gendlin's Focusing, body-centered therapies such as
Bioenergetics, and others. 

The early conceptual self begins to emerge at the fourth fulcrum. It begins as a
simple "name self," then becomes a self-concept, and further develops into a
role self, or persona. A key new ability/perspective is the beginning of the
capacity to take the role of other and see the others' point of view. This
represents an expansion of perspective from the narcissistic and egocentric "me"
to the group-centric "we."

The mythic self

Developmental psychologists describe this stage as mythic because these early
roles are those found in mythical gods and goddesses, representing archetypes
such as strong father, caring mother, warrior, trickster, anima, animus, and so
forth. These mythic roles become part of the many sub-personalities that can
exist at this level of development.

These roles are bolstered by additional specific cultural roles the child begins
to learn at this stage through interactions with parents, peers, and through
other social influences. Trauma at this stage creates what are called script
pathologies. Therapies such as Transactional Analysis or cognitive therapy can
help the individual find and uproot false ideas and replace them with healthier,
less-damaging scripts. 

At the fifth fulcrum a more independent self, no longer organized around rules
and roles, emerges. This is also the beginning of a globally aware,
world-centric self, a mature ego. This new self is concerned not just with
"us"--the group or tribe--but now begins to identify with and adopt the
perspective of "all of us." 

Identity crisis

At this transition the self is faced with possible confusion between roles and
conformism, on one hand, and the development of a personal identity, based upon
universal principles rather than rules, on the other. How does the self discover
who and what it is, independently from the rules and roles of society? Trauma
(if the self is prevented from experimenting with an individual identity outside
of traditional roles) can create an "identity crisis." The old identity based on
rules and roles no longer works, while the new identity, based on principles and
more advanced cognitive thinking, is not yet formed, leaving the self with
nowhere to stand.

At the sixth fulcrum more existential problems--life/death, authenticity, full
body-mind integration, ambiguity, self-actualization, global awareness--emerge.
This stage marks the end of the personal self's domain and the beginning of that
of the domain of spirit.(5)

From "me" to "us" to "all of us"

Looking at these stages from above, we see a movement from matter (i.e., body),
to perceptions, emotions, and cognition (i.e., mind), to soul (i.e., spirit),
and even to beyond the soul to non-dual realms I've described in other articles.
With the emergence of mind comes the possibility of taking the role of others,
leading us from self-centered to group-centered to world-centered perspectives.
Then, as the mind becomes quiet, as Ken Wilber has said, "the soul begins to
whisper,"(6) taking us beyond rationality and logic to states involving love and
bliss.

When we move from one stage to the next, fully differentiating from the prior
state, and successfully integrating its perspective with the next and broader
perspective of the newer stage, there is a sense of freedom, a feeling of
release or transcendence. Life becomes bigger, broader, and at the same time
freer and more compassionate. Each new level, when entered in a healthy manner,
is more expansive. We see life, and our place in it, from a higher spot on the
mountain.

As people on a path of growth, our challenge is to identify pathologies
resulting from uncompleted transitions from one developmental level to the next,
then to go back and complete the necessary differentiation or integration. Then,
to forge ahead to even higher developmental levels, always expanding our
perspective.

As I have discussed these topics with Ken Wilber and others, we are struck by
the power of Holosync(R) audio technology (and Centerpointe's Life Principles
Integration Process(R) online courses), in addition to the treatments mentioned
above, to both facilitate this remedial differentiation and integration process,
and to continually push one to still higher developmental levels.

Why does Holosync facilitate this sort of evolutionary growth? It creates
awareness. In fact, all treatments that work involve increasing one's conscious
awareness. As Gestault Therapy's Fritz Perls has said, "Awareness, in and of
itself, is transformative." Holosync allows one to see from a higher
perspective, and facilitates the ability to adopt what many call the witness
perspective. It also "turns down" the intensity of powerful negative emotions
that often get in the way of awareness. In doing so, differentiation and
integration, as needed, can occur. The psyche has an intelligence that creates
growth and healing whenever the light of awareness is available, and Holosync
creates that awareness. Holosync and the Life Principles Integration Process are
not the only ways to deal with your past and forge ahead into the future, but
they are powerful methods. And, in some cases you may need additional help from
some of the therapies mentioned above.

Whatever tools you use, it is important that you clean up the residue of
failures to differentiate or integrate at these important early developmental
stages. With the proper work you can create a fully integrated self--the jumping
off point to the higher realms where the real fun begins.

(1) See Integral Psychology, by Ken Wilber, Chapter 8

(2) Reaction formations are defense mechanisms in which anxiety-producing or
unacceptable emotions are replaced by their direct opposites. This mechanism is
often characteristic of obsessional neuroses. When this mechanism is overused,
especially during the formation of the ego, it can become a permanent character
trait. This is often in those with obsessional character and obsessive
personality disorders. A man who is overly aroused by pornographic material who
utilizes reaction formation may take on an attitude of criticism toward the
topic. He may end up sacrificing many of the positive things in his life,
including family relationships, by traveling around the country to
anti-pornography rallies. This view may become an obsession, whereby the man
eventually does nothing but travel from rally to rally speaking out against
pornography. He continues to do this, but only feels temporary relief, because
the deeply rooted arousal to an unacceptable behavior such as watching
pornography is still present, and underlying the implementation of the defense.
At that point he can be said to have developed an obsessional personality above
and beyond the defense mechanism. (From Wikipedia.com)

(3) See Boomeritis, by Ken Wilber.

(4) Transpersonal psychology is a school of psychology that studies the
transcendent, or spiritual dimensions of humanity. Among these factors we find
such issues as self-development, peak experiences, mystical experiences and the
possibility of development beyond traditional ego-boundaries. Thus the interest
in human experiences which apparently are 'trans-personal,'or 'trans-egoic'. A
short definition from the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology suggests that
transpersonal psychology is concerned with the study of humanity's highest
potential, and with the recognition, understanding, and realization of unitive,
spiritual, and transcendent states of consciousness (Lajoie and Shapiro,
1992:91). (from www.Wikipedia.com)

(5) Much thanks to Ken Wilber for his research and analysis of the foregoing
information about stages and their pathologies and treatments.

(6) Integral Psychology, page 106

(7) To begin The Holosync Solution(TM) program now, please vist: 
http://www.centerpointe.com. To listen to a free preview lesson of the Life
Principles Integration Process, click visit: 
http://www.centerpointe.com/life/preview.

................................................................................

8. Participant Letters

Bill,

Hi and thanks for your devoting a part of your life to showing the way. I have
read all the emails for lesson one through page thirty and have gotten really
good at being Bill. And to the extent I can answer the questions the way you
would is a pretty good gauge if I have grasped the material intellectually.
Except that's not the point. Intellectually don't cut it. So of course I am
practicing all the time. Being a very analytical linear thinker to the point I
could vomit how analytical I am, I was shocked to observe an interesting
phenomenon. If I watch non-judgmentally and non-analytically how certain beliefs
affect how I feel and what happens as a result of what I am feeling and
believing, I find that if I then turn to resolving the issue in a new and
resourceful way, MY BRAIN HAS ALREADY FIGURED IT OUT!!. And there, impatiently
waiting for me to stop screwing around with linear thinking is the new and novel
solution to the problem. This has occurred to me with two really old tired
issues that have plagued me for years. Instead of focusing on what I did not
want, I focused on what I did want. In one case the picture of the solution just
literally popped into my head. In the other case I found my feet taking me to my
computer to email an estranged daughter of many years quite against my earlier
intentions. When she emailed back "Love, Kirsen"  I was stunned. I even wept.
(analytically of course). Both outcomes were pure products of non linear non
analytic thinking. They just  popped out of my brain before I could even get to
work on them. For me, a scientist and engineer this is counter intuitive yet it
makes sense when I accept that	beliefs are not truths, they are just subjective
outcome production furnaces. Garbage in garbage out. So notwithstanding all that
I "know" to be true, I am practicing on examining the outcome of those beliefs.
And if they don't serve me well I am working on ways to give them a pink slip. I
look forward to future lessons which focus upon these methods. 

Be well yourself,  

Albert

Hi Bill.  

You asked for feedback.  I haven't really thought too much about sending that,
but I have surely thought I'd like to communicate a massive THANK YOU for
bringing all of this information together in the most perfect way.  I suspect my
mind works very similarly to yours, and so I am able to absorb every single
fragment of what you are teaching.  I am equally visual, auditory, kinesthetic
(yes, I've tested this), so I really do absorb virtually everything that you
present in the material.  Most important, it is clearly palpable to me that you
REALLY do care very much about helping people.	THANK YOU BILL. And thank you
for the example you set! 

Some feedback is in order though, beyond that.	

I started Holosync about 18 months ago; a friend of mine bugged me until I tried
it.  After listening to the seminar CDs included with the program I decided to
do the online course.  (So, about 6 months after starting Holosync.)  I've been
forming a specific business in my mind for several years and have kept telling
myself that if I keep talking about it, one day the right people who have all
the right tools I need will appear and will help me to make it happen.	So, for
much of the first course, I kept developing my work, walking my talk, and
talking my dream--all the while absorbing the lessons and learning how I create
my reality.

I've always had a pretty easy time manifesting things I want, (I'm very
passionate, which turns out to be an important key) but only during the past 2
years have I realized the power behind my capacity to manifest specific things
that I said I did NOT want.  Now I understand that the mind doesn't
differentiate the negatives.  Anyway, I made a passionate "I don't want _______
" statement and of course, I got it, and that dramatically changed my work
environment which pissed me off, which just made things grow increasingly more
intense.  So after I whined to you about it (black magick attacks) I changed my
question to: "Why did I create that?" and promptly left the pity party.  Life
has been pretty darn amazing ever since!

At about that time, which was during the first few lessons of the second course,
some people appeared who wanted to help me make my business happen.  I quit my
job in order to focus on that and to re-direct my mind-set (I got tired of being
attacked) and began to force my mind to stay only on what I want.  I really
trusted what you teach, but I also just had this knowing that I can create a
better reality for my self.  Faith sure helps!

It took constant attentiveness for several weeks because virtually everything in
my life that was not serving me either fell away, or I flat out discarded it. 
That's intense.  All of my income evaporated.  Everything.  But I refused to
focus on what I didn't want.  I just kept knowing everything would work out for
me.  Almost instantly, when I let go of everything, the void was filled with
more wonder than I could ask for.  

The short of it is that by the time I was finishing the second course, I had
gathered a ton of information and resources I need for my business, I had all
the financial support I need slide in as a gift -- a key person literally said
he owed it to me - and I have attracted the most AMAZING people into my life!  

So this course, course 3, is coming at a time when I'm already a bit ahead of
it.  That's only because I've jumped on so many resources, as you told us to
do!!!!	And those resources had me doing the same things that you're outlining
in this first couple lessons of the course!  I'm motivated, I'm in awe, and I'm
so very grateful!

....With all the change that has occurred over the past months I'm a bit
disoriented.  Life is beautiful and it was merely a choice to make it so!  Yay! 
I've loved and VALUED every bit of the courses. I burn them to CD and play them
over and over as I commute and run errands.  I'm not entirely fixed yet, but
embracing your technology and educational presentations are like the difference
between walking and getting into a rocket ship!  THANK YOU Bill.  You know what?
 You are an amazing reflection of me!  I'm so grateful that I can say that now!

Many Blessings!

Eileen

................................................................................

9. Life Principles In Practice

But is it true?
"Since everything is true to the person who believes itbecause you'll create or
attract or make up whatever evidence you need, evaluating beliefs based on
whether they're "true" or "false" isn't helpful. Doing so is indulging in
circular, fallacious logic. If you know in advance that you'll figure out a way
to make whatever you believe either come true or seem to be true, how could a
belief ever be false? If you believe it, you're going to figure out a way to
make it be true. Only other people's beliefs can be false. Your beliefs will
always turn out to be true. For this reason, conscious, happy people evaluate
beliefs based on whether or not they're resourceful...in other words, on
whether or not they create the desired results and experience of life."

Be a copycat
"When you see people who are getting better results than you are, you can be
sure that they have different and more empowering beliefs on that subject. In
fact, the shortcut to creating something in your life, whether it's happiness or
worldly success, or anything else, is to find others who already have it and
find out how they're thinking and acting. Then, copy how they're thinking and
what they're doing. For any outcome you want, there is a certain way of thinking
and acting that will get it for you, and those who are getting that outcome are
already thinking and acting in that way."

Don't believe in magic
"Though what you believe does manifest in your life, this doesn't happen by some
sort of magic. What you believe manifests in your life because you DO something
to make it manifest. There is no magic formula where just thinking about
something makes it happen. What you create happens because focusing your mind
motivates you to act, it causes you to notice resources you could use to make it
happen, it causes you to find internal resources that help you make it happen,
and it gives you ideas about how to make it happen."

Respond with caution
"In each moment of your life, something is happening. All day, it's one
experience after another. For every experience, you have a choice: to respond by
focusing on what you want, or on what you don't want. If you discover something
you're doing that isn't resourceful and you respond by focusing on what you
don't want, you feel bad, because all bad feelings are created by focusing on
what you don't want. When you focus on what you don't want, you give your mind
an instruction to create or attract more of it. This is obviously a bad
strategy. Instead, focus on what you want, which is to choose resourceful
beliefs that create happiness, inner peace, and success in the world."

................................................................................

10. Coach's Corner
Tools of the Trade:
Using Witnessing to Shift Your Focus
by Nancy Carlton

Nancy has been an integral member of the Centerpointe Support staff for over 7
years.	She has used her unique and insightful coaching techniques to help
thousands of people on their paths of personal growth and development.

I have been working as a Support Representative with Centerpointe for over seven
years and throughout that time, I have answered a lot of questions from
participants in this program on a wide variety of topics.  However, I'd have to
say the topics I most frequently coach people on are how to witness and how to
use the power of focus.*

As I listen to participants' stories, what stands out the most is what they say
about themselves, and it's almost always negative. Our self-talk can be
extremely cruel, though we would never think of saying such harsh things to
another person.  When I point this out to a participant stuck in this
negativity, they usually immediately agree and realize that this judgement
prevents them from making the changes they want to make. Even worse, it causes
them to inadvertently hang on to the very things they want to change in their
lives.

When we're caught up in the conflict of our old subconscious programming and our
new conscious desires, all of the energy goes to wage this internal "war" with
none left over for the work of creating something new. In other words, we can't
get to a point where we are focusing on what we want because different parts of
our mind are too busy arguing. 

This self-flagellation is often a deeply ingrained part of our programming. When
we want to change a negative behavior or create more abundance in our lives, we
rely on our old judgmental programming to motivate us ("I shouldn't eat that
piece of cake or I will be fat," or "I should make that call to a prospective
employer or I am lazy," or "I'm not smart, good looking, self-confident enough
to make a lot of money").Yet, it is these very thoughts that drive us deeper
into the self-defeating behaviors we're trying to change. Emotionally we head
right down the hill with the thoughts, and then we really feel we NEED whatever
it is we are trying to change in order to feel better.

So how do we start moving beyond this internal tug of war and break the cycle?
What I have found to be most helpful (and what I share with participants) is to
first notice how I am feeling. Feelings are a result of thoughts, many of which
we're not even consciously aware of. It's then helpful to ask the question,
"What am I thinking that is causing these feelings?" Not because it's absolutely
necessary that I know the thoughts, but because the focus on this question puts
me immediately into the witness part of myself and stops the internal conflict. 


If I ask myself this question and receive an answer, I can then ask, "Is this
thought supportive of how I want to live my life?" If the answer is "no" then I
just change the thought to something that IS supportive, and go on about my day.
If I don't get an answer, I just tell myself that this is how I'm supposed to
feel in the moment and go on about my life. Either way, I am effectively ending
the tug of war by witnessing and accepting who I am and where I'm at without
judgement. 

In the early stages, depending on the depth of the belief that the thought comes
from, we may have to practice this over and over again. It's similar to learning
a new language, because we've spent years allowing our subconscious minds to go
unattended or unobserved. Fortunately, with meditation, and with the help of
Holosync, which accelerates the process, we are becoming more aware of this.
This awareness creates a conscious observation of our subconscious thoughts and
allows us to use our minds to shift our focus to how we want to be.

In summary: observe how you are feeling. Uncomfortable feelings are a signal to
us that our thoughts are not supportive of the mind/body/spirit system. Notice
the thoughts, not making them good or bad, but just old "stuff." Change the
thoughts that deplete your energy with uncomfortable emotions, and then move on
to an uplifting, supportive thought. In time these thoughts become more readily
available and though our minds may run through this process over and over again,
we now have a powerful tool to use to change our lives.

*For more information, see Bill's article in the Mind Chatter archives,
February, 2002, Issue 84, The Incredible Power of Focusing.


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