Interesting Passage from a David R. Hawkins Book

Seashore · 03-31-2009, 09:14 PM

I am reading the book Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. The book is about the levels of human consciousness.

I am struck by an example he presents to illustrate the different perspective he asserts is present at various levels of consciousness which he designates.

Here is the passage. It is quoted from pages 240 - 242:

"Imagine a 'bum' on a street corner: In an upscale neighborhood stands an old man in tattered clothes alone and leaning against the corner of an elegant brownstone. Look at him from the perspective of various levels of consciousness, and note the inconsistency in how he appears to different people and viewpoints.

From the bottom of the scale, at a level of 20 (Shame), the bum is seen to be dirty, disgusting, and disgraceful. From level 30 (Guilt), he'd be blamed for his condition: He deserves what he gets; he's probably a lazy welfare cheat. At 50 (Hopelessness), his plight would appear desperate, a damning piece of evidence to prove that society can't do anything about homelessness. At 75 (Grief), the old man looks tragic, friendless, and forlorn.

At a consciousness level of 100 (Fear), we might see the bum as threatening, a social menace: Perhaps we should call the police before he commits some crime. At 125 (Desire), he might represent a frustrating problem--why doesn't somebody do something? At 150 (Anger), the old man might look like he could be violent; or, on the other hand, one could be furious that such horrible conditions exist in our country today. At 175 (Pride) he could be seen as an embarrassment or as lacking the self-respect to better himself. At 200 (Courage), we might be motivated to wonder if there is a local homeless shelter--all he needs is a job and a place to live.

At 250 (Neutrality), the bum looks okay, maybe even interesting. "Live and let live," we might say--after all, he's not hurting anyone. At 310 (Willingness), we might decide to go down and see what we can do to cheer up that fellow on the corner; maybe we'd be motivated to volunteer some time at the local shelter. At 350 (Acceptance), the man on the corner appears intriguing: He probably has an interesting story to tell; he's where he is for reasons we may never understand. At 400 (Reason), he's a symptom of the current economic and social malaise, or perhaps a good subject for in-depth psychological study.

At the higher levels, the old man begins to look not only interesting, but friendly--and then lovable. Perhaps we'd then be able to see that he was, in fact, one who had transcended social limits and gone free, a joyful old guy with the wisdom of age in his face and the serenity that comes from indifference to material things. At 600 (Peace), he's revealed as our own self in a temporary expression."

03-31-2009, 09:14 PM	#1
Seashore Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,564	Interesting Passage from a David R. Hawkins Book I am reading the book Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. The book is about the levels of human consciousness. I am struck by an example he presents to illustrate the different perspective he asserts is present at various levels of consciousness which he designates. Here is the passage. It is quoted from pages 240 - 242: "Imagine a 'bum' on a street corner: In an upscale neighborhood stands an old man in tattered clothes alone and leaning against the corner of an elegant brownstone. Look at him from the perspective of various levels of consciousness, and note the inconsistency in how he appears to different people and viewpoints. From the bottom of the scale, at a level of 20 (Shame), the bum is seen to be dirty, disgusting, and disgraceful. From level 30 (Guilt), he'd be blamed for his condition: He deserves what he gets; he's probably a lazy welfare cheat. At 50 (Hopelessness), his plight would appear desperate, a damning piece of evidence to prove that society can't do anything about homelessness. At 75 (Grief), the old man looks tragic, friendless, and forlorn. At a consciousness level of 100 (Fear), we might see the bum as threatening, a social menace: Perhaps we should call the police before he commits some crime. At 125 (Desire), he might represent a frustrating problem--why doesn't somebody do something? At 150 (Anger), the old man might look like he could be violent; or, on the other hand, one could be furious that such horrible conditions exist in our country today. At 175 (Pride) he could be seen as an embarrassment or as lacking the self-respect to better himself. At 200 (Courage), we might be motivated to wonder if there is a local homeless shelter--all he needs is a job and a place to live. At 250 (Neutrality), the bum looks okay, maybe even interesting. "Live and let live," we might say--after all, he's not hurting anyone. At 310 (Willingness), we might decide to go down and see what we can do to cheer up that fellow on the corner; maybe we'd be motivated to volunteer some time at the local shelter. At 350 (Acceptance), the man on the corner appears intriguing: He probably has an interesting story to tell; he's where he is for reasons we may never understand. At 400 (Reason), he's a symptom of the current economic and social malaise, or perhaps a good subject for in-depth psychological study. At the higher levels, the old man begins to look not only interesting, but friendly--and then lovable. Perhaps we'd then be able to see that he was, in fact, one who had transcended social limits and gone free, a joyful old guy with the wisdom of age in his face and the serenity that comes from indifference to material things. At 600 (Peace), he's revealed as our own self in a temporary expression."