Spiral Dynamics

Here is a brief summary of the key points of Sprial Dynamics, for my own benefit...

Main points

• Each individual and group of individuals (subcultures, nations, etc) have their center of gravity mostly on one particular level. Life is of course more than and different from - and more fluid and complex than - any map.
  
  
• Each level has its own meme, its own associated values and worldview.
  
  
• The observed progression is from a lower level to the next higher, without skipping any (although we can progress faster or slower through each).
  
  
• Level 1 through 6 are first tier and tend to see their view as the only legitimate one. They get into conflicts with folks with a center of gravity at other levels. Level 6 and 7 are second tier and acknowledge, seek and sort out the (limited) truth and validity of each of the other levels.
  
  
• Moving up the levels, there is a movement...
  (a) From narrow concern with self to an increasing circle of concern.
  (b) From fragmentation to a systems and integral approach.
  (c) From blind identification with personality (sensations, emotions, thougths/ideas) to the center of gravity including awareness/witness.
  
  
• Each level has its healthy and unhealthy expressions. It has strengths, insights and approaches valuable in specific situations, and its potential "diseases", its less enlightened/helpful expressions.
  
  

• Level 8 - Integral
  Keywords: Cosmic spirituality
  Examples: Ken Wilber, Big Mind, many/some spiritual traditions
  Concern: Universal in broad/deep sense, fully transdual. No experience/phenomenon in the outer/inner world is excluded, resisted or seen as "other".
  Chakra: 7th/crown
  Healthy: Cosmic, integral view. Acknowledges the value of all previous levels, and applies principles from each when appropriate.
  Unhealthy: Inflation, the "guru disease", not acknowledging the problems of the personality. Can also have an unbalanced view of the absolute/relative, emphasizing the absolute over the relative.
  Missing: Deepening exploration of each end of the polarity: transdual experience and embodied experience. Deepening integration of a fully transdual view into this body/personality/world. And probably something more as well.
  
  
• Level 7 - Ecological
  Keywords: systems, multiple realities, seamless whole
  Examples: systems view approach, Fritjof Capra, Prototista
  Concern: Universal in broad sense, systems view
  Chakra: 5+6th, throat/third eye
  Healthy: Systems and holistic view. Integral.
  Unhealthy: Can be one-sided and emphasize systems over parts (holistic rather than integral/systems approach). Can deny the existence/value of higher levels.
  Missing: a cosmic spiritual view, more fully transdual.
  
  
• Level 6 - Egalitarian
  Keywords: plurality, authenticity, community, inclusive compassion (self, other, earth, future generations), informational age
  Examples: Cultural Creatives, Greens, sustainability, seven generations view, Yes! Magazine, Utne Reader
  Concern: Human rights, civil rights, gay rights, animal rights etc. All life, all species.
  Chakra: 4th/heart (some 5th/6th)
  Healthy: The circle of compassion includes all life. Makes choices that seem to benefit all life.
  Unhealthy: Can deny the value of the other approaches. Can try to apply level 6 solutions when rational/scientific (level 5), rule based (level 4) or other level approaches are more appropriate (for instance when you are dealing with people operating from those levels). When there is a crisis, or you're dealing with a gang, a strong leader or strong rules may be more appropriate than consensus and endless meetings.
  Missing: a second tier approach that sees the value in approaches from all precious levels.
  
  
• Level 5 - Modern
  Keywords: progress, materialism, success, image, status, growth
  Examples: mainstream business, New York Times, Bill Clinton, industrialism
  Concern: universal care extended to humanity, human rights
  Chakra: 3rd/hara (some 4th/heart)
  Healthy: focus on science and research, rational approach.
  Unhealthy: focus on growth while resources are limited, blind to long-term/far-reaching consequences due to fragmented worldview.
  Missing: inclusiveness of all human perspectives, and care for the whole system, including society and ecosystems.
  
  
• Level 4 - Morality
  Keywords: rules, discipline, lives for later (reward in the beyond)
  Examples: GW Bush, conservatives in most religions, agrarian
  Concern: own group, those with views aligned with ones own, some universal care
  Chakra: 3rd/hara (some 4th/5th)
  Healthy: rules and morality has its place, valuable in some situations.
  Unhealthy: inflexible, rigid, not able to see the value in other points of view, self-righteousness, harsh treatment of those who do not follow the rules.
  Missing: disidentification from rigid rules, universal humanitarian ethics.
  
  
• Level 3 - Power
  Keywords: gratification, conquest, action, impulse, lives for now
  Examples: some US soldiers, some youth, some business people, gangs
  Concern: Self, gang
  Chakra: 2nd/sexual
  Healthy: taking care of oneself, life-force.
  Unhealthy: single-minded focus on self, lack of consideration for others.
  Missing: rules and guidelines that takes the welfare of others into account.
  
  
• Level 2 - Tribal
  Keywords: rituals, taboos, superstitions, lore, tribal
  Examples: some tribes?
  Concern: self and small circle/tribe
  Chakra: 1st/root (some 2nd)
  Healthy: tribal connections, strong bonds.
  Unhealthy: irrational, strong sense of "us" vs. "them", narrow circle of concern.
  Missing: individuality, sense of separate identity
  
  
• Level 1 - Survival
  Keywords: protection, staying alive, food, water, procreation, warmth
  Examples: seen during extreme emergencies/crisis, and in most/all non-human species
  Concern: Physical self + few close others
  Chakra: 1st/root
  Healthy: survival, taking care of oneself.
  Unhealthy: narrow focus, ignore other human/own needs, very narrow circle of concern.
  Missing: sense of community, of "us".