We all have but control over one thing, our minds. Everything we are and do starts with our mind. Our minds all operate on a default level, a kind of default setting to life in general. This level affect how we interpret and approach life. For instance, we can all acknowledge that we know some people that have a positive outlook on life and some a negative. Well, that outlook is a result of that person's consciousness level. 

   I assume we would all like to be happy (at least if you are reading this I know you would like to). We all want to live lives of peace, love, and joy. If we acknowledge that everything we are and achieve in life starts in our minds, and furthermore that we only have control over one thing, i.e. our minds, then I would say that to get our minds default setting, our level of consciousness, right is a good place to start the journey to happiness.   

   While all of us can try to live consciously every day, without knowing your current level of consciousness we cannot make actionable plans on moving up the critical framework for conscious living. Having clarity of the different levels of consciousness provides us with the full context of growth. By knowing the other levels ahead, we are more able to comprehend how limiting our current level of consciousness is, what we should be striving towards and the highest end point we can reach. Furthermore, each level of consciousness (LOC) coincides with determinable human behaviors and perceptions about life and people.

   These levels determine the reason why people behave the way they do. These levels can be divided into positive energy-giving levels and negative energy-taking levels. The negative levels from the lowest to the highest are: shame, guilt, apathy, grief, fear, desire, anger, pride. The positive levels are: courage, neutrality, willingness, acceptance, reason, love, joy, peace, enlightenment. Although there may be times when we function at different levels of consciousness, we in general operate at one particular level. This can be considered our core level. Understanding these different levels will hopefully inspire you to move beyond your current state.

Shame
According to David Hawkins, this is one step above death. At this level, the primary emotion one feels is humiliation. It’s not surprising that this level, being so close to death, is where most thoughts of suicide are found. Those who suffer from sexual abuse are often found here, and without therapy they tend to remain here.

Guilt
Not too far from shame is the level of guilt. When one is stuck in this level, feelings of worthlessness and an inability to forgive oneself are common.

Apathy
The level of hopelessness and despair; this is the common consciousness found among those who are homeless or living in poverty. At this level, one has abdicated themselves to their current situation and feels numb to life around them.

Grief
Many of us have felt this at times of tragedy in our lives. However, having this as your primary level of consciousness, you live a life of constant regret and remorse. This is the level where you feel all your opportunities have passed you by. You ultimately feel you are a failure.

Fear
People living under dictatorship rule or those involved in an abusive relationship find themselves at this level. There is a sense of paranoia here, where you think everyone is out to get you. Suspicion and defensiveness are common.

Desire
Desire is a major motivator for much of our society. Although desire can be an impetus for change, the downside is that it leads to enslavement to ones appetites. This is the level of addiction to such things as sex, money, prestige, or power.

Anger
As one moves out of Apathy to Grief and then out of Fear, they begin to want. Desire which is not fulfilled leads to frustration which brings us to Anger. This anger can cause us to move out of this level or keep us here.

Pride
According to Hawkins, since the majority of people are below this point, this is the level that most people aspire to. It makes up a good deal of Hollywood. In comparison to Shame and Guilt, one begins to feel positive here. However, it’s a false positive. It’s dependent upon external conditions such as wealth, position or power. It is also the source of racism, nationalism, and religious fanaticism.

Courage
This is the level of empowerment. It is the first level where you are not taking life energy from those around you. Courage is where you see that you don’t need to be tossed to and fro by your external conditions. This empowerment leads you to the realization that you are a steward unto yourself, and that you alone are in charge of your own growth and success. This is what makes you inherently human: the realization that there is a gap between stimulus and response and that you have the potential to choose how to respond.

Neutrality
Neutrality is the level of flexibility. To be neutral, you are, for the most part, unattached to outcomes. At this level, you are satisfied with your current life situation and tend not to have a lot of motivation towards self improvement or excellence in your career. You realize the possibilities but don’t make the sacrifices required to reach a higher level.

Willingness
Those people around you that are perpetual optimists - this is their level of consciousness. Seeing life as one big possibility is the cornerstone of those operating here. No longer are you satisfied with complacency - you strive to do your best at whatever task you’ve undertaken. You begin to develop self-discipline and willpower and learn the importance of sticking to a task till the end.

Acceptance
If Courage is the realization that you are the source of your life’s experiences, then it is here where you become the creator of them. Combined with the skills learned in the Willingness phase, you begin to awaken your potential through action. Here’s where you begin to set and achieve goals and to actively push yourself beyond your previous limitations. Up to this point you’ve been generally reactive to what life throws at you. Here’s where you turn that around, take control, and become proactive.

Reason
The level of science, medicine, and a desire for knowledge. Your thirst for knowledge becomes insatiable. You don’t waste time in activities that do not provide educational value. You begin to categorize all of life and its experiences into proofs, postulates, and theories. The failure of this level is you cannot seem to separate the subjective from the objective, and because of that, you tend to miss the point. You fail to see the forest because you’re tunnel-visioned on the trees. Paradoxically, Reason can become a stumbling block for further progressions of consciousness.

Love
Only if, in the level of Reason you start to see yourself as a potential for the greater good of mankind, will you have enough power to enter here. Here is where you start applying what was learned in your reasoning and you let the heart take over rather than the mind - you live by intuition. This is the level of charity - a selfless love that has no desire except for the welfare of those around them. Ghandi and Mother Theresa are examples of people who were living at this level. Only 0.4 percent of the world will ever reach it.

Joy
This is the level of saints and advanced spiritual people. As love becomes more unconditional, there follows a constant accompaniment of true happiness. No personal tragedy or world event could ever shake someone living at this level of consciousness. They seem to inspire and lift all those who come in contact with them. Your life is now in complete harmony with the will of Divinity and the fruits of that harmony are expressed in your joy.

Peace
Peace is achieved after a life of complete surrender to the Creator. It is where you have transcended all and have entered that place that Hawkins calls illumination. Here, a stillness and silence of mind is achieved, allowing for constant revelation. Only 1 in 10 million (that’s .00001 percent) people will arrive at this level.

Enlightenment
This is the highest level of human consciousness where one has become like God. Many see this as Christ, Buddha, or Krishna. These are those who have influenced all of mankind.

   Hawkins’ Power vs. Force and his associated map of consciousness has been a groundbreaking work for those interested in human-consciousness development. In this continuum we can clearly see where we as individuals function and where we can arrive. A view into what could be our potential is inspiring.

   It’s interesting to note that according to Hawkins, everything that is around us can effect our level of consciousness: the music we listen to, the people with whom we associate, the books we read, the shows that we watch, etc. Understanding the continuum you will begin to see yourself and those around your in a different light. You will likely feel more compassion for others. We are all at different levels of consciousness and are functioning according to the light and knowledge that we've obtained. This will help you to better understand what drives people and why they make specific choices.

   How can you raise your own level of consciousness? I would suggest first to figure out where you presently are - awareness is always the first step. Learn from the Great Ones who are the source of the ‘wisdom literature’ of your tradition and try to live the principles taught in those books. As you raise your own level, you will discover a desire to help others and you’ll be a source of positive change for yourself and the world.

   Fear requires special attention. The proliferation of fears is as limitless as the human imagination; once Fear is one's focus, the endless fearful events of the world feed it Fear becomes obsessive and may take any form: fear of loss of relationship leads to jealousy and a chronically high stress level. So too does fear of cash flow shortages lead to vulnerability and a chronically high stress level. Fearful thinking can balloon into paranoia or generate neurotic defensive structures and, because it is contagious, become a dominant social trend inside an organisation. Fear limits growth of the personality and leads to inhibition. Because it takes energy to rise above Fear, the oppressed are unable to reach a higher level unaided. Thus, the fearful seek strong leaders who appear to have conquered their fear to lead them out of its slavery.

   We must also realize that much of the remainder of the world's population, civilized as well as primitive, lives primarily in Fear; the majority of humans spend their lives in a quest for one form or another of security. Those whose lifestyles transcend the imperative of survival to allow discretionary options become grist for the Desire-driven world economic mill, and success in attainment of desires leads at best to Pride.

   Within the levels of consciousness, the higher frequencies are extremely powerful, and few people routinely experience these as pure states because they are masked by lower energy fields of anxiety, fear, anger, resentment, etc. Rarely does the average person get to experience, for instance, love without fear, or pure joy, much less ecstasy. But these higher states are so powerful that once experienced, they are never forgotten and are   sought ever after.

   Few people know what it is to live without fear. But beyond fear lies joy, as the meaning and purpose of existence become transparent. Once this realization occurs, life becomes effortless and the sources of suffering dissolve; suffering is only the price we pay for our attachments. Following Socrates’ approach and examining our lives we can find that most of our fears have been based on falsehood. The displacement of the false by the true is the essence of the healing of all things visible and invisible. These falsehoods are also called limiting beliefs and we should continuously challenge our own, and other peoples', limiting beliefs. By examining these beliefs and removing the ones that don’t serve us we can free ourselves from fear and elevate ourselves to higher consciousness levels.

   How do you know whether your level of consciousness operate below the line? Ask yourself the following simple questions to form an idea of your current consciousness level:

• Do you judge?
  
• Do you punish?
  
• Are you forceful?
  
• Are you loosing energy?
  
• Do you blame?
  
• Do you abdicate?
  
• Do you regret?
  
• Do you hate?
  
• Do you demand?
  

I would like to challenge you to identify your consciousness level and to set yourself a target. Pick a level you would like to operate at and start doing it today!

Be Extraordinary!
Myles

I touched on the topic of fear and worry in my previous post. I mentioned that fear is good in the context of what it is supposed to do - keep us alive. Fear does an excellent job of keeping us alive, but constant fear and worry can paralyze us and keep us from our right life and from reaching our fullest potential.

Fear is a state of mind, a negative emotional response to a perceived threat. It leads to an urge to either confront the threat (typical fight response), to flee from it (typical flight response), or often just freeze (or paralysis) in the face of the threat. Fear is one of a few basic, or innate, emotions and almost always relates to future events, such as worsening of a situation, or continuation of a situation that is unacceptable.

In our modern society our fears are often irrational or delusional fears, which are not responses to legitimate threats, but instead are triggered by our perceptions, misinformation, past traumas or status anxiety, i.e. an anxiety about what others think of us; about whether we're judged a success or a failure, a winner or a loser. However, there are more realistic fears we all deal with at some point. In my previous post I mention 6 basic fears, and a seventh that is inherited from other people. Understanding these fears, recognizing them as 'limiting beliefs', and approaching them with acceptance, willingness and reason, allows us to disarm them and deal with them. Next we consider how to deal with fear.

Our first step is to recognize that the indecision to deal with fear creates anxiousness and constant anxiousness leads to worry. Therefore, fear becomes translated into a state of worry through indecision and we thus need a strategy, i.e. make some decisions, relating to each of the basic fears. Let's review each of them briefly and some of the choices we can make.

Fear of loss of money or poverty. First, accept you are in control of your life (i.e. internal locus of control). Second, accept that you are responsible for accumulating as much money or wealth as possible without worry. Third, decide to get along with the wealth you are capable of accumulating, i.e. live within your means.

Fear of shame and criticism. First, don't succumb to status anxiety. Secondly, choose an 'everyone else' or 'other people' (i.e. the different groups of 'people' you compare yourself against often created only in your mind and not based on any factual information or actual people) that will serve you. In other words, choose the 'everyone else' or 'someone else' or 'no one else' who’s opinion will matter to you, don’t simply assume or imagine what these groups of people think of you.

Fear of illness and loss of life quality and function. Choose to forget any symptoms you might experience. Don't focus on every ache or pain in your body and expect the worst. Choose to accept the natural aging of your body.

Fear of loss of love or someone. Master the fear of loss of love by focusing on areas in your life where love exists in different forms. Choose secondly to give love rather than expect love. By giving love you will be rewarded with love (love begets love), in many different forms.

Fear of old age. Choose to accept old age not as a handicap, but choose to see it as a new season in one’s life filled with wisdom, self-control, and understanding not known to youth. Choose to see it as an opportunity to contribute back to society.

Fear of death. This is our biggest and most real fear. Here I would like to quote Steve Jobs. He said a while before his passing: "remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important." He also said "remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." The truth is that no one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there and yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It is life's change agent. 

We can all stop the habit of worry by accepting responsibility for yourself and everything in your life, and realize that nothing that life has to offer is worth the price of worry. With this choice will come calmness which will lead to happiness, which in turn allows us to see fear as opportunity, the start of something, and not the end we perceive it to be.

A quick word on the seventh fear, i.e. fear created by the negative influence from other people. We all think of ourselves, at different times, as both 'good' and 'bad', 'smart' and 'dumb', etc. Furthermore, we all pick up on what other people are thinking of us, e.g. whether we are 'good' or 'bad'. Therefore, we often perceive ourselves as 'good' or 'bad' based on what we think other people think of us. From this it is clear that choosing to allow certain people into your life can greatly benefit you or it can cause your downfall. If you happen to open your mind to the destructive thoughts of other people, then you are at the mercy of these people. Protecting yourself against negative influences is very simple, think and act for yourself. Don't leave your mind open to the negative influences of other people. I realize this choice is a lot easier for people who classify themselves as secure and very difficult for people who are anxious or insecure. In a next post I will discuss how you can discover our inner value and become more secure in yourself.

I believe this post will help you take control of your fears by deciding to accept them for what they are, take decisions that will serve you, and acknowledge yourself as the master of your fate, the captain of your destiny. I believe this will inspire you to strive toward your legacy each day no matter what your circumstances may be.

Be extraordinary!

Myles

One of the keys to knowing yourself is to understand your hierarchy of values. This useful information helps you really know what is important to you, or even better, helps you tell other people what is really important to you. True leaders don’t think in terms of what ‘should’ be significant based on culture or upbringing, but what ‘is’ actually essential and fulfilling. Although it is easy to understand your own hierarchy of values, and that of other people, most people have no idea what’s really important to them.

Being consciously aware of your worldview, belief system, and values simplifies many aspects of your life. You understand your behaviour better, become a more integrated person and you can comfortably expand your perspective, and you even find it easier to appreciate and accept other people, simply by knowing what’s important to you.

If you truly know yourself, your purpose and mission becomes less puzzling, less variable and more stable. That’s because a large part of your purpose is revealed in your hierarchy of values. Understanding your own hierarchy of values, and those of others, helps you create caring, fulfilling, long lasting relationships. It helps you to communicate in a way that links your ideals and values with others’. This, in turn, helps you develop, maintain and enrich your relationships.

We each have a unique set, or hierarchy, of values. Your core beliefs (unfortunately also including your limiting beliefs) and values (and specifically their ranking) influence how you perceive and how you act in your world, business, home, community, etc. Therefore, they determine the results you achieve in life, your behaviour, and ultimately, the course of your life. Your beliefs and values will also express themselves in all the areas of your life: spiritual, vocational, mental, familial, financial, social, and physical.

It happens that people allow fears, or limiting beliefs, to keep them from living according to their true hierarchy of values. This causes stress, emptiness and a general sense of lacking. Let’s briefly focus on fear because it can be so limiting. We all fear something at some point in our lives. There are many ways to define fear, but one approach is that fear as an emotion’s main task is to protect us and keep us alive. Fear does an excellent job of keeping us alive, but can do us a lot of harm if not properly managed. As noble as this function is it is a subtle enemy. Fears sometimes remain hidden in the subconscious where they remain hidden and can be very difficult to eliminate.

According to Napoleon Hill there are six basic fears, with some combination, that every human suffers at some time or another. The first six are self-created whereas the last, not a basic fear, is inherited from other people:

• Fear of loss of money or poverty
• Fear of shame and criticism
• Fear of illness and loss of life quality and function
• Fear of loss of love or someone
• Fear of old age
• Fear of death
• Fear created by negative influence from other people

Fear, however, is a state of mind. People who conquer fear know that they have absolute control over only one thing, their minds. Therefore, they choose to control their minds, and not be controlled by their minds. This choice empowers them to master their fears.

Worry, on the other hand, is a state of mind based upon fear. It is a form of sustained fear caused by indecision, i.e. the indecision to deal with the fears. Because it is a state of mind you can control it (because you choose to control your mind). This indecision creates anxiousness and constant anxiousness leads to worry. Therefore, the six basic fears become translated into a state of worry through this indecision. I might spend some time dealing with fear in a future post. I return to conclude the discussion on identifying your hierarchy of values.

You can identify the priority of your value system by answering the following simple questions:

• How do you fill your space?
• How do you spend your time?
• How do you spend your energy?
• How do you spend your money?
• Where are you most organised?
• Where are you most disciplined?
• What do you think about?
• What do you visualize?
• What do you talk to yourself about?
• What to you speak about with others?
• What do you react to?
• Where are you willing to ensure pain to succeed?

Once you have identified your key values you can prioritise them. This is your hierarchy of values. Once you have your hierarchy you will become aware that you act according to what is highest in your hierarchy and neglect the things lower in your hierarchy. In the next post I will discuss how knowing your, and other peoples’, hierarchy can help you be happier in yourself as well as cultivate better relationships.

Be extraordinary!

Myles