|
Who are we if we are not our bodies,
nor our self-talk? Who are we if we are not our memories, nor our
expectations? We ask, "What are the organizing principles around which we live?" Our
answer is that these organizing principles are non-verbal experiences
of integrated connectedness. We cannot describe them; although we generally
call them facets of
Integrity or Soul.
While investigating the experience of integrity, we
found that
this
experience seems to integrate all values, actualized and potential, in a harmonic and dynamic whole,
while providing
simultaneous inspiration, motivation and guidance. This experience underlies
the philosophy of Soul Centered Changework and the
applications called
Soulwork Systemic Solutions.
Clare Graves
An American
psychologist, Clare Graves, described values as a basis of human
evolution. This is the
first of three articles about using Graves' research to appreciate human
diversity. (Note: Clare Graves' work was subsequently described in "Spiral
Dynamics" by Beck and Cowan) although their
interpretation and labeling differ from ours).Abraham Maslow postulated that all
humans have similar needs, and that they satisfy their
needs in a predictable sequence. One of his students, Clare Graves, attempted
to create a pencil and paper instrument to identify what needs were currently
pursued. Graves later concluded that a person's needs change with his or her
values; and that a person's values change in a predictable way. We used
Graves' research to help understand the existential states of "identity" from
which a person can experience the "integrated connectedness" that we call
Soul. We call them Identity States.
Identity States
We combined
Graves' research with our understanding of systemic abstractions. We began to see the structure of human mental, emotional and
spiritual evolution manifested in the ways that we strive to be effective.
Here we describe steps that lead from the non-conceptual experience typical of
early childhood to the sophisticated world of a self-actualized person. This
model also applies to groups, from nomadic pre-tribal bands to
the people who created the United Nations.
We hope to lead
you through an experience of each Identity State. You may remember
times when you experienced some of your earlier states, and you may imagine states that you have not yet experienced.
You will better
understand how other people think and act the way they do. You can use this
information to increase your rapport with a wider variety of people and,
hopefully, decrease any arrogance that your Identity State is more appropriate
than somebody else's.
Identity
Types 4, 5 and 6 .
Identity Types 7, 8 and 9
This is not an
attempt to pigeonhole people - all of us seem to have all of these "levels" available
to us at all times. We hope you can better appreciate people
with different values (and different worlds) to yours. Here are the first
three of the nine Identities, as we understand them today:
1: “I survive!”
I survive by
seeking food, water and shelter. To you I may seem like a wild animal or an
abandoned child. Everything is new each day and I see the world without your beliefs or
ideas.
At my best I am
self-sufficient. At my worst I am helpless. People like me were once common,
before we grouped together into tribes. Today you can see people like me in
abandoned children, in some retarded and senile people, and in some street
people. You could become like me during a war or a famine or similar
emergency. Imagine you are the sole survivor of an airplane crash in a
remote region … you would likely act like me.
I cannot
understand your religions or philosophies. We live and we die. Everything is a
mystery! I know some things, like where to find food and shelter. I follow my instincts
and adapt. I live in my senses - I touch, smell and taste things as much as I can.
More important
than anything is a warm, safe place with food and drink. “Love” is how I feel
about somebody who cares for me and reassures me, somebody who can touch me
and give me food, drink and shelter. I show my love by unconditional
acceptance.
Sometimes I want
to live together with other people like me. Sometimes I want a strong
caretaker.
2: “Our family / tribe must survive!”
Together, we can
survive in this mysterious world. We need a strong chief, a knowing shaman,
wise elders and powerful totems to protect us from other tribes and
from the spirits that control us.
We are
conservative. We totally obey our chief, shaman and elders. Our elders know
what the spirits and ancestors want and help us please them. Our elders decide our roles
and we rigidly follow them. We honor our ancestors, and tribal heroes.
In some ways we are like
ancient tribes and pre-adolescent children. Look for us now in remote parts
of the world and also find people like us in close families, in some cults and
in some sporting teams.
If your totems are more powerful than
ours, then we try to please your gods. We may try to
adapt to you and your ideas about how we should live. If we cannot adapt to
you or avoid you, we may drug ourselves or kill ourselves to escape from
confusion and fear.
At our worst we
are like slaves to our chief or cult. At our best we are loyal to our elders
and trustworthy companions. We like to be in small groups with strong, caring
chiefs. Do not assume we can read or that we can understand concepts like
"owning land". When our needs are met, we may go away until we
need something else.
Do not insult
our tribe! Do not defile our sacred ground, violate our taboos or mock our
rituals! Do not make the spirits angry! Do nothing that weakens us!
Our religion and
traditions guide and protect us. We like rituals, fantasy, magical symbols and
pictures. We learn best from stories of our ancestral heroes.
More important
than anything is the survival of our tribe. "Love" for us is being accepted
by our chief, elders and tribe members. We show love by obeying the chief and
elders and by accepting you into the safety of our tribe.
Sometimes I would like to leave the tribe. Maybe I
can start my own tribe, maybe I can be a chief.
3: “I must have power!”
In my world, the powerful dominate the weak. I want power and respect and I want it
NOW! I fight all threats. If you try to shame or control me, I will rebel.
You had better be more powerful than me!
I am aggressive
and impulsive. I am selfish and I take what I can. I depend on myself and I
may exploit you. My motto is "Might makes right". I cannot feel guilt
(but if I have to, I can pretend like I do).
Look for me watching violent movies. See me in teenagers.
Look for me in tough jobs and sports. See me in gangs and at violent crimes.
Look for me in beauty and muscle contests. Find me in prison.
I can be bitter and hostile. At my worst I am a
destructive rebel and can only tolerate other tough people, like in a gang or
a prison. I often break your stupid laws. My only crime is getting
caught! I may take drugs that make me feel more powerful.
I like attention
and risks. At my best I am energetic and innovative. Like my heroes, I get what
I want. I like to show my strength in tough work, but I may only work if someone
powerful is watching me.
If I am not the
most powerful, I will try to associate and be seen with powerful people. I want
respect!
Do not waste my
time with weak appeals. If you are weak I may exploit you! I will test your
authority and reject your rules. I will do anything for the right reward. Dare
me to do things! Show me how I benefit. Respect my strength and give me power.
Do not threaten
me! Do not insult my relatives or enter my territory uninvited! Do not mock
me! Above all, do not shame me before powerful people. I will try to get
revenge!
My religion makes
me feel good and tests my courage. Love me by respecting me and giving me
space. “Love” is a word I use to get what I want. I show tenderness only
when we are alone.
More important
than anything is my immediate gratification of my desires. I want to have a good
time.
As I get
older, younger people fight me for my position. I want a respected
permanent position. Sometimes I dream of stability and security.
Identity State 3 slogan:
“Yea though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for I am
the meanest son-of-a-bitch in the valley!”
Plagiarism is theft © Martyn Carruthers and Janelle Doan, 1995, 2009 All rights reserved
We hope you find
these descriptions useful. Researching them was instructive to us, and we
can better appreciate and communicate with
people. Other Identity types are
described in Identity
Types 4, 5 and 6 and
Identity Types 7, 8 and 9.
Do you want relationship coaching or systemic coach training? We can train you who coach individuals, partners and teams to resolve emotional, educational and relationship challenges.
|
