Raise consciousness and thrive in the modern world

It's a tough time for many people right now. Recent research has found that 45% of people have not felt true happiness for more than two years. Another study noted that 59% of adults find It harder to form relationships since COVID-19. Furthermore, more than 60% of the workforce feels dissatisfied at work and is not engaged. What has happened to humanity, and how do we get out of this funk?

As a society, we are operating at low levels of consciousness, which is the root cause of the emotional pain and suffering humans feel. The pandemic brought us into a state of grief. Social media has hijacked human consciousness, with everyone focusing on what's going wrong, living in a perpetual state of anger, fear, and worry. As a result, people have become apathetic about work and life because they cannot appreciate the present moment.

Furthermore, being human is not intuitive, and while pursuing non-stop innovation, many people have lost touch with themselves. It has become almost impossible for them to find peace and joy in everyday life. Still, there is a solution. Raise human consciousness so we can thrive again in the modern world.

The Consciousness Scale

Although unknown to the sciences, researchers in many diverse fields have dedicated their lives to unlocking the mystery of consciousness. Some look to unlock clues to consciousness by examining the brain, while others take more non-traditional approaches. One of the most prolific contributions came from Dr. David Hawkins (1927 – 2012), who used Applied Kinesiology, also known as muscle testing, to calibrate the first scale of consciousness, published in his New York Times Best Seller, Power vs. Force.

Dr. John Goodheart, a chiropractor, invented the method of Applied Kinesiology, and the approach was developed by psychiatrist Dr. John Diamond and documented in his book; The Body Doesn't Lie. Inspired by their work, Hawkins began using the method in his research. What's fascinating about muscle testing is that the human energy field is the tool for measuring levels of consciousness. Remember, we are vibrations of energy within one energy field, so this approach connects us directly to the all-knowing source of creation.

Here's a high-level example of how muscle testing works. First, it requires a teacher and subject already operating at a high level of consciousness with an innate curiosity for seeking the truth for the sake of truth, not to gain some reward like winning in the stock market, as Hawkins explains in lectures on The Basics Of Kinesiology. The rooms must also be free of directions, such as music or background noise that could distract from truth-seeking.

The subject stands upright with their arm stretched out to the side and is instructed to resist any pressure. The researcher will then say an affirmative statement aloud, "Acceptance calibrates higher than grief on the level of consciousness scale," and then presses down on the subject's wrist. When the arm goes weak, it indicates a "no" response, while a strong arm suggests a "yes" response. It may sound simple, but becoming a practitioner takes years of practice.

During 20 years of research, Dr. Hawkins used this muscle testing approach and conducted more than 250,000 calibrations to define his map of consciousness, a logarithmic scale of 1 to 1,000 with corresponding values, attitudes, and emotions. Lower levels of consciousness include destructive frequencies such as shame, apathy, grief, fear, and anger. In contrast, higher levels have constructive frequencies such as willingness, acceptance, reason, love, and enlightenment.

While some contrarians have challenged Hawkin's method of measuring consciousness or debated the values associated with the scale, it's difficult to argue with the truth that destructive frequencies are energy-depleting and constructive frequencies are energy-gaining. Just search books in the self-help or personal growth department. Almost all are about overcoming lower levels to achieve higher ones to realize our potential.

So, with Hawkin's map of consciousness as a framework, let's start by unpacking the lowest energetic frequencies and work our way up to the highest levels.

Shame, Guilt, and Apathy

Have you ever been humiliated by someone? How did it make you feel? Probably worthless, miserable, and sucked all of the energy right out of you. That's because shame is the lowest level of consciousness. When we put people down, ridicule them, or make them feel embarrassed, it's highly destructive. Just think about a moment in your life when someone made you reconsider your self-worth. How did it make you feel? Was it easy or challenging to release that energy? Choose tolerance over shame.

A step above shame on the scale of consciousness is guilt. Is it easy or difficult to forgive yourself when you feel guilty about something? Carrying around guilt can make us live in the past and blame other people or external factors for our transgressions. The most difficult person to forgive in life is, most often ourselves. We all make mistakes, take responsibility for them, learn, and move on because what we do in the present defines us. Make every moment matter. There's no looking back.

Now apathy. Still at the lowest of the lows, feelings of hopelessness set in as darkness clouds any possibility of pursuing dreams, achieving goals, and, most importantly, feeling good about oneself. When we become numb to life, we block our inner light rather than take an active role in our evolution. We choose to become victims of circumstance. Always choose to give a damn and overcome indifference by taking on the challenge with perseverance.

Grief, Fear, and Desire

Have you ever dealt with cataphatic loss? If so, then you've likely experienced the cycle of grieving. The Kübler-Ross Grieving Model lays out the stages of grief, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. What's difficult about navigating the grieving process is that we move through stages in a non-linear manner. Reaching acceptance, a high level of consciousness, can be difficult because we become trapped in a perpetual state of loss.

If you are in a state of grief, take these words of wisdom from Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, "If you truly want to grow as a person and learn, you should realize that the universe has enrolled you in the graduate program of life called loss. The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, suffering, struggle, loss, and found their way out of those depths."

Next on the scale is fear, a negative thought frequency that halts many people from realizing their potential. You may fear addressing addictions, your boss, looking like you don't know what you are doing, presenting, or somting else. What will other people think of me? Will I embarrass myself? Will I succeed? What if I fail? What if's will only fuel fear-based anxiety. Don't let fear limit your potential. Confront what discomforts you, and take action!

Desire is a low level of consciousness because it's associated with craving more in the material world, such as money, objects, or fame. Remember that the desire to pursue your goals does not fall into this category. However, desire can also manifest into unhealthy addictions to drugs, alcohol, and other destructive vices that through us out of balance. Or in the case of work, the desire to get more money can lead to feelings of entitlement without putting in the work.

Anger, Pride, and Courage

When you become frustrated, you often become angry because what's happening in life is not meeting your expectations. At times, anger can motivate us to operate at higher levels of consciousness, but its abusive nature often brings you down in the long run. One powerful saying of Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism and the author of Tao Te Ching, is, "The best fighter is never angry." So, while you're fighting to achieve your goals, be purposeful and just in your actions by releasing anger and feelings of hatred.

Pride is next on the scale and presents a unique challenge because it makes us feel good but relies on external factors such as being in a position of power, having wealth, and even our attachment to group affiliations. Pride can lead to self-righteousness and the false belief that you are in some way better than other people. Then, we can become closed off to thoughts, options, and ideas that help us see the world from another's perspective, which is essential for a successful leader.

Let there be light. We have reached courage, the level of consciousness that opens us to new worlds of opportunity. Courage gives us the strength to overcome, feel empowered, take an active role in our evolution, and become entrepreneurs. Do you have the courage to go after your dreams? What's stopping you? Courage begins the journey and must also be practiced daily on the path to achieving greatness. Plato said, "Courage is knowing what not to fear." Don't fear sharing your talents, purpose, and passion with this world!

Neutrality, Willingness, and Acceptance

Welcome to neutrality, a destination known to many who have found a pathway they choose to pursue. This state is relaxed, open, and flexible. Whatever comes your way, you can handle it. When in a state of neutrality, there's nothing to prove. You trust your abilities, know you are putting them to good use, and feel satisfied in life. Neutrality does not mean being indifferent. Instead, it generates feelings of self-worth and trust that events will unfold as they should, not as you desire.

A level up from neutrality is willingness, where consciousness becomes directed. Willingness focuses attention, eliminates distractions, and increases productivity. It's not about how much you can get done but how wisely you use your energy through proper time management. The discipline created from willingness causes complaints to fade as hope surfaces with every milestone. You develop a sense of optimism from rolling up your sleeves and putting in your best effort to get the job done, whatever the job may be!

Acceptance is about taking control over what you can have control over – yourself. In this level of consciousness, through the process of forgiveness, you've released any feelings of being a victim. You've gained a new sense of clarity of your role within existence through life-altering lessons, which can drive you to set new goals or chart a new course to create more meaning in your life!

Reason, Love, and Joy

When we reach the level of reason, natural talents and abilities become used to make contributions that serve the greater good as we transcend lower levels of consciousness. Reason comes with an open mind, curiosity, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Limiting beliefs no longer exist, and the potential within you is expressed through a commitment to seek truth for the betterment of humankind.

Next is love, which is one of the most powerful expressions of energy in the universe. Through love, we begin to live through the heart, the first organ that forms in the human body and does not rationalize as the brain does. With love, we embrace the connectedness with Universal Consciousness and our role within it, awakening to our higher purpose. At this level, there is complete selflessness, and we become guided by intuition and compassion for all.

Nearing the highest levels of consciousness is joy. This level is often associated with saints and spiritual teachers because self-identification is released as we become synchronized with oneness. Some people who have had near-death experiences have felt the completeness that comes from joy. It is a calm state of harmony, and its presence immediately makes others light up inside. As Dr. Hawkins said, "Victory over others brings us satisfaction, but victory over ourselves brings us joy."

Peace and Enlightenment

According to Dr. Hawkins, only 1 out of 10 million people will reach the level of peace. In this state, there is total transcendence. No destructive thoughts, desires, or impulses arise from the unconscious mind. Imagine that—no non-accepting thoughts, just pure consciousness. Confucius said, "Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." That's because the transcendence that comes from peace brings us directly into the light and love of life.

The highest level of consciousness is enlightenment, a state where divinity becomes expressed within the human experience. Although it might seem unreachable, remember these words of encouragement from Buddha: "To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's mind. If a man can control his mind, he can find the way to enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him."

Consciousness Assessment Exercise:

For the exercise, we will take a qualitative approach to determine your current state of consciousness by using your self-awareness, the ability to be the object of your observation. You might be thinking, how can I choose just one since I fluctuate between many levels? While you tend to coast between levels, you inherently have a resting place within the scale.

However, our environment and life events can move us up or down, depending on how their energetic frequencies affect us. For instance, the news and media might send you a sense of existential dread or anxiety; a night of drinking too much may result in guilt; financial insecurity from a job loss can cause us to grieve. All of these scenarios can result in lowering your level of consciousness.

On the other hand, expressing gratitude for a healthy meal, reading an uplifting book, and even small acts of kindness toward others can all raise your consciousness. Because of this, most of us move up and down between varying levels as we navigate life.

So, what is your current level of consciousness? First, identify the three levels you have moved between in the past month. Next, from that range, choose the level that you operate in when in stressful situations because that level is often classified as your natural state. Finally, reflect on the next level you seek to reach. To maximize the benefits of this exercise, being honest with yourself is essential. If needed, take time to meditate and look inward to select the level most accurately representing where you are and, more importantly, where you'd like to be!

Highest on the Scale

Enlightenment

Peace

Joy

Love

Reason

Acceptance

Willingness

Neutrality

Courage

Pride

Anger

Desire

Fear

Grief

Apathy

Guilt

Shame

Lowest on the Scale

Leveling Up

You can probably look back at times in your life when you operated at lower levels of consciousness. Reflect on what it took to overcome those destructive frequencies. Remember, there are no shortcuts to progressing up the scale; it takes time, energy, and commitment. According to Hawkins, a whopping 85 percent of the people on Earth are still below courage, the gateway to higher levels of consciousness. Just one life change can make all the difference in leveling up. What's holding you back from realizing your potential?

The choice to take action and raise your level of consciousness will be one of your most outstanding achievements along your journey in life and business! We help both private clients and organizations realize their potential.

Please email connect@ptnl.com for more information.