I just recently read a book written by David Hawkins entitled, Power vs. Force
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.
He claims that, 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. It is here where I would like to explain these different levels and hopefully inspire you to move beyond your current state.
Shame
According to 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
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.
After reading this book, I began to see myself and those around me in a different light. I guess you could say I felt 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 has helped me 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.
[...] Erich presents Levels of Consciousness - The Motivation Behind Our Behavior posted at LifeTraining - Online. [...]
Left by Creating a Better Life » The Personal Development Carnival - Oct. 8, 2006 on October 8th, 2006
Man!
I’ve been through so many of those stages. Almost everyone of them. Yep shame is the bottom, and today I believe I am approaching courage. Great Blog!
Found you on the personal development carnival.
Steve Olson
Left by Steve Olson on October 9th, 2006
Steve,
thanks for the comment! I too have found myself progressing through many of these stages of consciousness. Keep up the good work, courage is the beginning of power!
Left by Erich on October 10th, 2006
Great post! In my experience, what you say is true. I have especially found that whatever level of consciousness I happen to be on pulls those around me toward that level. I think this is really important for people to keep in mind, since so many people often think and act as though their level of consciousness does not affect anyone outside of themselves. Good job!
Erek Ostrowski
Left by Erek Ostrowski on October 12th, 2006
Good point Erek. It’s important that we are aware of our states and how they can effect those around us. This can be used in the positive sense as well, pulling up those who are at a lower level - thereby raising their consciousness.
Left by Erich on October 12th, 2006
each “level of consciousness” category reads like newspaper horoscopes that are so general, they could apply to anyone.
can I find the book near the grocery store cashier?
Left by Nick on October 21st, 2006
[...] oovs presents The Motivation Behind Our Behavior Virtual Magic presents Stanford Prison Experiment Karl Staib presents 10,000 Swimming Pools Inside Our Minds Donald Latumahina presents How to Have a Joyful Day michelle presents 10 Valuable Life Lessons .. David Maister presents It’s THEIR fault Emmanuel presents Learn What You Need to Learn Rick Cockrum presents Don’t Look For the Easy Life Erek Ostrowski presents Heroes and Role Models Jeff presents Personal Development Starter Kit Basil Vandegriend presents Personal Learning by Doing [...]
Left by Bryan C. Fleming » Blog Archive » Personal Growth Carnival - October 10th on October 24th, 2006
Yes oovs, reaction v proaction..very good point. Many of us, especially in our early years “go w/the flow”
interesting topic indeed
— Thanks D.Berry! I appreciate your comments.
Left by D.Berry on November 10th, 2006
thamxs for the articules ! ! very interesting I do need some help I will love to buy some books about ! ! sugest me some please you can feel free to e mail me any time
thats a cuality reading, I can’t wait to get more
HERNANDO HERNANDEZ
Left by HERNANDO HERNANDEZ on November 11th, 2006
Hi,
Very Useful article! Thanks.
Sham
http://enhancelifethinktank.blogspot.com
Left by Sham on November 23rd, 2006
Thanks for the list it is encouraging to see what levels I have passed , where I am currently and where I am going. It is always great to learn something new.
Cheers
Left by Tabs on November 25th, 2006
hi…The information and explanation given in the articles are ultimate..but i have a suggestion,i am afraid if iam not right.provide small stories as examples if you people can…so that the things can never be forgotten..
Left by Baree on November 27th, 2006
“You know the story of ‘Alice in Wonderland’. The red queen has to run faster and faster to keep still where she is. That is exactly what you are all doing. running faster and faster. But you are not moving anywhere.” U.G. Krishnamurti
“What I am trying to point out is simply that your spiritual and religious activities are basically selfish.” U.G. Krishnamurti
“Don’t talk of ‘higher centres’ and ‘Chakras’. It is not these but glands that control the human body. It is the glands that give the instructions for the functioning of this organism.” U.G. Krishnamurti
“I point out that there is no such thing as enlightenment at all… I don’t give a hoot for the sixth-century-BC Buddha, let alone all the other claimants we have in our midst. They are a bunch of exploiters, thriving of the gullibility of the people. There is no power outside of man. Man has created God out of fear. So the problem is fear and not God.” U.G. Krishnamurti
Left by Glenn on November 28th, 2006
“Power Vs. Force” is one of the best, and most enlightening books that I’ve ever read. It’s a must read for everyone!
Whether you believe in God, the Universe, or none of the above, you can improve your life and all of you relationships simply by understanding why you react to events and circumstances in a ceratain way.
Another great compliment to the Hawkins material is the Sedona Method. It really helps you get rid of tons of emotional baggage and allows to move up the consciousness scale more quickly.
Have an awesome day!
Jennifer
Left by Jennifer on February 6th, 2007
Jennifer,
Thanks for the info about the Sedona Method. I’ll take a look…
Left by Erich on February 6th, 2007
[...] Erich presents Levels of Consciousness - The Motivation Behind Our Behavior posted at LifeTraining - Online. [...]
Left by The Personal Development Carnival - Oct. 8, 2006 - from Creating a Better Life on March 7th, 2007
Great article. It is very true that positive emotions is the key to produce results
For people who want to practice law of attraction, one way is to tap into Bob Proctor
free report to gain more insight knowledge.
This report can be found at http://www.secretofunlimitedprosperity.com
Left by karenlim on May 8th, 2007
[...] He chose this fate in order to benefit all of mankind, forever. Jesus had obtained that level of consciousness that is beyond karma and so in experiencing the hell that he did, he was taking on our karmic debts and paying them off for us. In your life, what you put out you get back. Eastern religions understand this concept very well but they don’t know the good news (the real good news that is). If you sincerely ask for forgiveness and do not intend to repeat any wrongdoing you may commit, you will by no means reap the reward owed to you. This is because the wrongdoing was already paid for by Jesus Christ, sweet deal eh? The punishment due to you can be wiped out if you simply accept the fact that this is the case. This, however, is not to be confused with a quick ’sorry’ or ‘forgive me’, you simply must be truly sorry and intend never to repeat the behaviour in question. The supremely sacrificial act of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection required such a ‘high’ level of consciousness that it was enough to counterbalance the negative actions of the whole world. Dr. David Hawkins illustrates this point very well in his great book ‘Power Vs.Force‘. The following results he claims were obtained by Applied Kinesiology. (Hawkins uses a scale of consciousness of 0-1000, 1000 being the highest attainable by a human being). Note: the scale is exponential, not linear. [...]
Left by Build Your Life To Order ™ | If the Law of Attraction is True, Why was Jesus Crucified? on August 6th, 2007
Is it possible to lose motivation by becoming enlightened? Like nothing as far as worldly/ego desires bring a thrill because one recognizes that all which is being done is that ones ego is being fed? And even if we take it past this point and one was to sacrifice and they recognize that sacrifice brings them joy because their mind (Ego) associates pleasure with good doing and that praises the ego, then recognizing this can bring someone to feel numb to all in life in order to be selfless. What is the difference from feeling good and feeding ones ego? I even question if some people who try to be religious just to get into heaven are selfish and not selfless. How does one differentiate and how does one become truly selfless without feeling dead. Also, if Love is the only thing that our souls are made of (i.e. when all the ego and mind stuff is stripped away) then where do personalities fit in, are they ego based? If so what are the purposes of our god given personalities and gifts? If the end result is to just have universal love what does anything else matter? And if everyone was to achieve universal love what would be the point of life? Just to experience that love for a certain amount of time and then die and come back to experience more in a different form? Perpetual love? If that is the case then I feel motivation and the levels Willingness, Acceptance and Reason are pointless?
Would love to hear your feedback.
Thank you, Patrick
Left by Patrick on December 18th, 2007
Don’t have enough money to buy some real estate? You not have to worry, just because it is possible to get the mortgage loans to resolve such kind of problems. Hence take a bank loan to buy everything you require.
Left by EstradaKatie34 on July 15th, 2010