IN THIS EPISODE:

Today we continue our discussion about the initial level of human consciousness as proposed in Integral Theory; that of the Archaic. You will find it very helpful to pull up the document Form/Transform/Formless locating Adam in the realm of Form as well as his relation to what is evolving—Trans-form and Formlessness.

• God/Spirit as Source is the creator of humans and the ground of being from which spiritual consciousness arises.
• God kills! (that which stands in the way of growth).
• God makes alive! (the process of transformation into the realm of formlessness).
• Consciousness based on a False Self Identity is necessary for the foundation and understanding that leads to a True Self Identity.
• Adam represents the human self as individual while Israel will become conscious of the very same principles in the collective.

Resource: Purple Cow by Seth Godin

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IN THIS EPISODE:

Adam begins a first creation which brought consciousness of the Self on one hand but, also brought about bondage to separation or death.

NOTE: see the diagram: Form/Transform/Formless 

Adam begins a trajectory of understanding one’s God Identity. Adam’s foundational consciousness of self is at the heart of Israel’s law keeping in order to establish and maintain God Identity. The creation founded on self-consciousness would pass away. A new paradigm or new creation would result.

We discuss the elements of each of these creations as outlined in Hebrews 12. We compare Mt. Sinai and Mt. Zion as Form and Formless or Self as Source versus Spirit as Source (of one’s God Identity). Jerusalem plays a critical role in the Narrative. The elements of each Jerusalem define the trajectory founded in Adam. Paul, who always went back to Adam for his understanding of identity, outlines the importance of each mountain in Galatians 4. Paul also emphasizes the implications of each Jerusalem.

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Today we discuss the Warrior level of consciousness as human world-views evolved from the more simplistic, Tribal level or stage.

Once again, we refer to the work of Don Beck and Chris Cowan, “Spiral Dynamics” as the basis for our discussion of the Biblical Narrative in lieu of world history. Israel’s interpretation of God and God Identity was shaped through the red lens (warrior) of power and dominator hierarchies.

God did not evolve into a different God as the Narrative progresses, but rather, human consciousness evolved as humans grappled with the nature of identity.

The Warrior level represented a lot of deconstruction and chaos. The previous tribal level functioned primarily through isolation and separation of groups, but as populations encountered each other war became the default way of dealing with differences.

The Warrior level is ever present, even today, as the egoic response to perceived threats. We discuss how many people in the Christian religion have suffered at the hands of those in power. Fear is the major weapon of choice for silencing those who dare question the power brokers.

Jesus experienced first hand this mindset. As we continue to grow beyond 2000 year old paradigms, we should expect nothing less. When the ego attaches to a form for identity, the blood will flow when that identity is threatened.

Thanks for joining the conversation!

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We’re going to introduce another tool or map called the Enneagram that is a beautiful complement to The Spiral Dynamics model. The reason we are layering the Enneagram into the conversation is, while we may be experiencing life from the same collective world-view, such as a Traditional or Post-Modern, our own unique motivations and reactions will come into play especially when we encounter change.

What is the Enneagram? It is a Map of our own unique personalities to help us see our particular traits, actions and reactions, coping methods and our style of speaking. It’s also a map for what is going on inside our internal landscape or terrain. But what makes The Enneagram different from other Personality Typing Maps is that it helps us understand WHY we do the things we do and what is driving us. It shows us the lens through which we see the world and gives us a look through others’ lenses. It is a powerful tool that shows us what it feels like to be in our own skin and it offers a way to understand others in theirs.

As mother and daughter, Earlene Fowler and Denée King share a lifetime of being told ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ or ‘they’re two peas in a pod’! But the Enneagram brought to light why their reactions to being told by those in authority that they could no longer be a part of the only church community they had ever been a part of, were so very different.

In Part 1 of this two-part series we share what it’s like to experience life from our own unique ‘typologies’ or Enneagram numbers. We will set the groundwork for why our reactions to one of the most emotionally traumatic events in our lives — leaving the traditional religious community of our family —were so very different.

Resources:

Overview of the 9 Types:

Type 1 – The Reformer: The Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic

Type 2 – The Helper: The Caring, Interpersonal Type: Demonstrative, Generous, People-Pleasing, and Possessive

Type 3 – The Achiever: The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type: Adaptive, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious

Type 4 – The Individualist: The Sensitive, Withdrawn Type: Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental

Type 5 – The Investigator: The Intense, Cerebral Type: Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated

Type 6 – The Loyalist: The Committed, Security-Oriented Type: Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious

Type 7 – The Enthusiast: The Busy, Fun-Loving Type: Spontaneous, Versatile, Distractible, and Scattered

Type 8 – The Challenger: The Powerful, Dominating Type: Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational

Type 9 – The Peacemaker: The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring, Agreeable, and Complacent

Ian Cron, – ‘The Road Back to You’

Free Introductory Enneagram Assessment

Beatrice Chestnut, PhD – ‘The Complete Enneagram, 27 Paths to Greater Self Knowledge’

Wikipedia Definition of Enneagram

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We continue the discussion of the Blue Traditional Stage. Two of the themes in this worldview were Empire and Institution. Although we note that empires were part of the historical record in the Narrative (Egyptian, Babylonian, Roman) the discussion begins with Institution. Specifically, we investigate religious institution as it come on to the scene through Moses and the Law.

We note that Law requires judgment. Therefore, God identity is understood as self as source, meaning that ones own keeping of the boundaries establish and maintain God identity. This first tier understanding and interpreting of God enforces the concept of separation and the need to please God through doing in order to be one with God. While this stage was necessary in order to teach humanity about morals, ethics and healthy life decisions, it also put everyone in bondage to a system of control.

Next week we will return to empire and go into detail about Israel and the Kingdom of God.

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Doug and Denée continue the discussion of the 2 major elements of the Traditional Level in the Biblical Narrative; Empire and Institution. Both of these have in common the development of Law. In both cases there arises the need for control and the execution of judgment. We note how these foundational principles have continued until our own time. Today’s emphasis is on Institution and its relationship with religion. We set the stage for our concluding podcasts on the Blue Traditional level before moving into Modernity.

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Today we introduce one of the primary levels of the Spiral, the Traditional Level. This level was present when Jesus appeared on the scene. It creates the concept of Law in order to move away from the Warrior worldview. Jesus, Paul and the other Apostolic writers will start all of their teachings on the foundation of Moses – Law and Traditional principles but then move beyond to even higher levels. Like all levels, the Traditional can be healthy or unhealthy. Jesus did not come to destroy this level but rather to fulfill (Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them).

Once again we see the concept of transcend and include at work. This is only the beginning of the conversation around Traditional thinking. We will be referring to it throughout future podcasts.

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This session concludes our introductory discussion of the Traditional worldview or Blue Meme perspective. The element of empire evolves at this level and Israel wants to be like all of the other nations/empires. She asks for a king. This desire was an amplification of Adam. It symbolizes the unhealthy manifestation of desire; coveting. Both Adam and Israel covet power; specifically, they covet power through self as source. Desires are all God-given but human consciousness can do what no other animal can do—reflect upon that desire for the purpose of self-gratification. The Ego wants power! Adam wanted the power to be like God. Israel wanted the power to rule herself. This is another necessary step of evolution- the evolution of Kingdom (God Power) and sets the stage for the transformative work of God through Jesus. Power comes through one source only; God. So, what does that mean for religion and Christianity?

Join us.

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Today we complete our discussion of Empire by tracing the role and function of Kingdom through the Narrative. We start with the prophet Samuel who sees Israel’s desire for a King as a problem. The nature of kingdom evolves from self/ego as source to God as source. The battle is on for obtaining power.

The Narrative integrates with the Spiral in the sense of transcend and include; meaning that there is a first tier understanding of kingdom through David and a 2nd tier understating of kingdom through Jesus. Jesus is inclusive of the Davidic lineage as his direct descendant, and yet, Jesus transcends the work of David in restoring the kingdom to God.

Thanks for joining us.

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As we began our discussion of the Modern or Orange Level of evolution, Rob Hunter joins us for a 2-part discussion. In part 1 today we introduce Rob who now serves on the Board for Presence. Rob shares his background and what lead him to be part of Presence. As a successful business person, his insights are particularly valuable with relation to Spiral Dynamics and the Narrative. You will most likely find a number of things in common with him as he shares his journey and begins our discussion of Modernity.

Reference: Matt Ridley, The Rational Optimist

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Presence board member Rob Hunter concludes his thoughts on Modernity and the idea of “better.” Rob points to the work of Steven Pinker, “The Better Angels of Our Nature” to begin this session.

We should be aware that better does not mean avoidance of threats and challenges. Nothing better can evolve without chaos and deconstruction as part of the process.

Rob moves to the question of WHY things get better. This connects our creativity to our God image. The synergy of collectives is becoming stronger as we remove boundaries between fellow human beings. We do not have to participate in better things alone. Finally, we discuss the goals of a better trajectory. Specifically, the focus is on liberty and freedom and their importance in the Biblical Narrative.

References:

The Better Angels of our Nature, Steven Pinker

Evolution’s Purpose, Steve McIntosh

The post Episode 23: Better…The Modern Age of Consciousness Part II appeared first on .

We begin a look at the last level of first tier in Spiral Dynamics; Postmodernity. The postmodern level or stage reacts against the shortcomings of modernity. That is, humans can enter periods of deconstruction for a while, but they eventually long for a reformation of community or reconstruction. Post moderns do not want a regression to the older, Traditional definition of community. Rather, they want to transcend the tightly drawn boundaries of previous world views which excluded many others on the basis of class, race, gender and orthodoxy. This level is where progressive or emergent Christianity resides. So, the question in future episodes will be, “what comes after a first tier interpretation of Jesus as a religion?”

Below you will see  2 VENN diagrams that will greatly assist you as I go through the mapping of history and evolutionary spiritual consciousness that brings us to postmodernity—the last first tier level.

The post Episode 26: Post Modern Level of Consciousness – Part I appeared first on .

As we continue our discussion of Postmodernism, we are joined by Cody Deese for today’s episode. Cody is Pastor of Vinings Lake Church in Mableton, GA. A few months ago he was kind enough to invite me into his group for a 4 Sunday series on Spiral Dynamics and the Narrative which is posted on our website. He and his wife Katie have become close friends of ours and it’s always inspiring to hear from Cody.

This episode provides actual experiences from Cody as he has encouraged the growth of his tribe from Blue to Orange to Green and Cody has seen the resultant reactions from his church as well as pastors in the community.

I hope you will find this encouraging to you.

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This episode takes a closer look at the way Post Modernism is situated compared to the Traditional and Modern levels. A comparison of science and religion is made regarding the shared trajectory of both as humanity moves into ‘Green Space’ (Post Modern Level of Consciousness in Spiral Dynamics) and positions itself for the leap into formlessness. And Post Modernity is examined for both its transcendent elements beyond previous levels as well as its unhealthy aspects. We’ll close this episode noting those unhealthy aspects and then ask how (or if) we can critique this worldview without attacking those who hold it.

Reference: Thank God for Evolution by Michael Dowd

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This episode is the conclusion of our discussion with Andrew Lombardi and Stephen Durkota who were our hosts on their Laity Podcast. We discuss in more detail the movement up the Spiral meaning how evolution works with regard to spiritual consciousness. The movement into 2nd tier consciousness is not away from the first tier levels but rather a new perspective of those levels. 2nd tier thinking is able to see all those levels from an objective viewpoint as opposed to being the subject of those levels as one moves upward. Doug also answer their questions about his personal journey and some of his experiences with family and friends as he moved beyond their boundaries.

These discussions are setting the framework for future podcasts that will take a deeper dive into Theology and the Narrative.

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Presence has a guest at our Atlanta facility in this episode. Danny Haas, visiting from Kansas City, joins us for a personal conversation of his journey. Danny is certified in Level 1 and 2 Spiral Dynamics and is a student of Integral Theory as well as the Enneagram. He has been teaching in the prison ministry for 15 years and has been using our material on Integral Theology. We really enjoyed having Danny, his wife Lindsay, 5 year old daughter Emma and 1 year old Landon. Danny intends to do some writing for us and we’re excited that he is so passionate about this work. Enjoy hearing yet another story from someone looking for higher meaning in his life.

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The Presence message continues to grow. Activity is at an all-time high. In fact, our growth has led to some exciting new additions to our efforts. Presence is pleased and excited to welcome Cody Deese and his wife Katie as our newest members. Cody will be serving as the new President of Presence and I (Doug King) will take the position of CEO.

Cody brings 15 years of experience in the non-profit field including the last 4 years as pastor of Vinings Lake Church in Mableton, Georgia. He is an outstanding speaker and avid student of the Narrative. You can check out our 4 Sunday series done at Vinings:

1. Becoming Part I
2. Becoming Part II
3. Becoming Part III
4. Becoming Part IV

The really ambitious news is that Cody will continue his role as Sunday morning speaker at Vinings. This arrangement required a mutual effort by the Board at Vinings and the Presence Board. It represents the evolutionary shift now taking place on the planet. We are working to contribute to the evolution of local groups like Vinings as well as produce materials, podcasts and videos centered in an Integral Theology. This gives us both a local and global outreach.

As you get to know them Cody through these podcasts you will see why we are so blessed to have him join this global conversation.

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Cody and I introduce some basic concepts today including some personal experiences shared by Cody as he grew up in his church. Our discussion of an Integral Theology moves into the realm of Trans-Form or the end of 1st Tier in the Spiral and the beginning of 2nd Tier.

**Note again on the Venn Diagram (Below) where eschatology is located in the trajectory of the Narrative. Its role and function is both dying and rising.

Today we lay the foundation for our eschatological series by noting its basic elements. First, the span of eschatology begins with the Cross and ends with the Temple event in the first century as taught by Jesus in Mt. 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. The movement into a new heaven and earth paradigm or new Jerusalem paradigm is part of human history. It represents the space between 1st and 2nd Tier. This Trans-Form movement was integral to both the individual and the collective.

Note here the use of Wilber’s Quadrants in Integral Theory and our application of it in the Narrative.

Jesus models the individual and his body is the collective.

Eschatology is critical to both. To reduce eschatology to the cross, or conversely, to only the collective body distorts the story. We no longer have an integral theology.

We discuss how Jesus and the body go through 3 eschatological aspects in the process of Trans-Form.

Thanks for joining us today!

The post Episode 35: Eschatology Series: Part 1 appeared first on .

Eschatology is a transformative movement in salvation history spanning a 40 year period within the first century from the Cross event to the Temple event. In an integral approach, the upper quadrants represent elements of the individual while the lower quadrants deal with the collective. Today we talk about eschatology and the collective. Just as the cross was an external event in history involving the individual, so too was the Temple event an external sign of a greater spiritual reality. So we began with the teaching of Jesus concerning his coming and the END –of the age/cosmos.

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Today we look at Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. He expresses his concerns in chapters 1-3 about their understanding of the Body of Christ.

Paul’s question was, “Is Christ divided?” This question draws attention to our trajectory of evolutionary consciousness. The end goal of the Narrative was to deliver humanity into a new unified space called a New Heaven and Earth.

Unity is a primary theme in the story of our identity. Humans began in a Form-based consciousness paradigm. Identity was temple, priesthood, and law.

Jesus and his Body were to represent God’s reconciliatory work in Christ for the purpose of Trans-Forming into a space beyond form and boundary-driven thinking.

For 2000 years the religion of Christianity has made Christ (and his body) another Form. Division can only exist in the realm of Form. Formlessness cannot be divided. So, we consider the implications of our current world views which have resulted in unprecedented division among humanity.

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