The model I use for the stages of enlightenment is a Shiva-based framework; the stages in our relationship with consciousness. It includes the stages of refinement, but more generally. Consciousness is the platform on which Shakti can stably develop.
It’s much easier to use a masculine view (the intellect) to model a masculine process like Shiva.
The feminine is a more heart-based and feeling process. It’s also very directly influenced by the details of our expression; by our specific energetic makeup.
Humans have common features as we’re built from a template. Yet our energetic expression has much greater variety.
Our energy gives us our unique purpose, gifts and abilities, our style of experience, our style of relating to others, who we harmonize (or not) with, how we’re going to best enjoy life, and how we harmonize with nature. For most of us, this is unconscious. We just notice the surface effects.
Mapping our energy is much more complex because of our layers of being, our history, and our variations. There is variety both in content and in sequence.
For example, someone may respond to stress by attacking, by withdrawing, by shutting down, or by trying to people please (fight, flight, freeze & fawn). Yet even that is a broad generalization. We can have blended states, have developed or inherited response patterns, and then adapted because of various life circumstances.
For example, we may have a raging father who learned it from his father. We don’t like the raging, so adapt by withdrawing. However, we still inherit the rage pattern. Perhaps we turn the rage within, or find expression through a metal rock band. Again, much of this is unconscious.
And yet, it’s possible to make it conscious and heal it, to unearth our true nature, to clear our habits of resistance, to discover our gifts and natural way of being, and thus live a fuller, richer life.
Davidya
Charlie used to call the template, as you refer to it, as a “human archetype.” He said that when fundamental changes are made to humanity as a whole because of evolution, then a change is made to the human archetype which then is expressed in humans from that point forward. Compared to your level of detail, Charlie’s explanation seems sort of basic, but that also was a very long time ago, so maybe that’s where we were. Funny how this stuff filters up after so many years. Anyway, as always, thanks, D.
Hi George
Yes, Charlie was way ahead of his time and had to simplify for his audience.
You may be right. There are what I call templates, which are expressions of the cosmic body, and define the standard human form. We might call them a cosmic idea. Then there are archetypes, which are patterns of expression through that form. For example, is someone patterned to be a leader? To be a wizard or sage? To be a mother for all? etc. There are various models of archetypes, like Jungs. These also evolve.
And then individual forms will have plays of variety on top of that.
Archetypes could be considered basic patterns on which the individual details are built, as discussed in the article. They can help us understand but are just very broad categories.
Who is Charlie?
Charlie Lutes. He was very active in the early days of the TM organization. A Theosophist who had a great deal of refined perception. Gave talks over the years, etc.
Beautiful post, and what a powerful illustration. Thank you, David.
Thanks, Kjetil