Wondering where you might be on your spiritual journey?
I recently stumbled on an insightful tool called The 4 Stages of Spiritual Development. It was created by Michael Beckwith. I love his work. He is a profound spiritual presence, thinker and speaker and runs the mega-ministry of Agape in Los Angeles.
Here are his 4 stages:
Stage 1- Victim Consciousness
When we are in victim consciousness, we feel powerless and often wonder why we are being punished. Why we are suffering.
At this stage, we fundamentally lack a sense of will or the belief that we can affect change.
Life is happening TO us.
We also experience God as being OUTSIDE of us.
In order to evolve from victim consciousness, the invitation is to release blame, shame and guilt. When we are able to do that, we move to the next level:
Stage 2- Manifestor Consciousness
As we are able to let go of blame, shame and guilt, we can more easily open to the recognition that God is WITHIN us.
At this stage, we tap into universal laws, where we create our lives, affect change, and manifest what we desire. Wahoo!
Here we activate our will, and control our thoughts and life. As manifestors, we experience life as happening BY me.
Typically, to do this we employ tools such as visualization techniques and affirmations as we actively imagine and speak our world into existence.
God is our guide.
If we want to continue to evolve, the invitation is to relinquish control. And when we are willing to do that, we move into:
Stage 3- Instrument Consciousness
When we get to this stage, we've already built a solid foundation, knowing that we have the power to create change.
But now we are ready to release the need for control, recognizing that there is even MORE to life. My will versus Thy will.
At Stage 3, life is happening THROUGH me.
Here, we tap into the feminine aspect of receiving, allowing God/Spirit to move through us. As St. Francis says in his prayer, “Lord make me an instrument of your peace.”
We allow ourselves to live in the flow, and experience source as moving through us.
The invitation to evolve to the next level, is to relinquish the belief in separation; that we are separate from God. When we are able to do that, we move into:
Stage 4- One Consciousness
At this stage we release a sense of having a separate self. And as we do that, we unite fully with God, recognizing that we are ONE.
Life is happening AS me.
Here, we have moved from knowing the truth to being the truth.
We have achieved unity with the divine, mystical mind. The non-dual state!
If all of this feels like too much, here’s the reminder:
We are constantly moving back and forth along this continuum.
So fret not.
These stages are offered as a way to check in. To see where you are at any given moment.
It's not designed as a tool to berate yourself. But simply to remember to come back to truth, to awareness, to love, and unity.
How about a self inquiry? What stage are you experiencing right now? Where would you like to be? What needs to change to make that happen?
We are always supported. Ask for help, knowing that it is right there for you.
We are all on this journey, walking each other home. Never forget that you are not alone.
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