! what_is_second_tier

ROUGH DRAFT

What is Second Tier?

Dr. Wayne Carr's View

Definition:

Second tier is an exceptionally large jump upward on the scale of human developmental stages. Only a small percentage of the population has made this jump. It is the jump from a post-modern, pluralistic, "green" stage (which includes most "cultural creatives") to a stage some have called Integral.

"Integral" second tier consciousness can look back at all previous stages (first tier) with much greater perspective and compassion. Such consciousness can also look and create forward into the "new" frontiers of being (towards third tier) with less "stuckness" typical of first tier.

Second tier signifies higher developmental stages of consciousness and is not to be confused with a particular state of consciousness. Second tier is capable of higher states, such a "non-dual", more frequently for longer periods. Higher states become more embodied as measurable traits and action-logics in second tier. Second tier is a dance of many states.

By saying someone is second tier, I mean that their "center of gravity" is in second tier, not just that their cognitive line of development is in second tier. It means that when all the lines of development are considered, (e.g. cognitive, emotional, social, spiritual, physical etc.) the majority of the lines are in second tier. There may still yet be parts of ourselves way down (or further up) on the developmental ladder. I say the cognitive and emotional lines (EQ), however, must be in second tier (necessary but not sufficient).

Introduction:

Some terms in this discourse will not clearly defined (yet) because my main intent is to ring a general cognitive-emotional-spiritual "bell" and see how it resonates inside of you. I believe second tier people have acquired a different, more sophisticated set of "resonators" and can recognize "2nd tier space" despite differences in specific terms that are used to describe it and despite some possible disagreements.

I believe second tier people can share the same "reality space" much more easily and deeply because that have less "overlay" and less "read-in". Second tier people have (and are) a multidimensional and more sophisticated set of "rulers" and "resonators" by which they allow, measure, co-resonate-with, co-create and co-evolve "what is". These "rulers" span "inside-outside", "one-many" and beyond beyond.

One of the meanings of the Hindu word Namaste is "The Deity in me recognizes the Deity in you". Similarly, the second tier in me recognizes the second tier in you. I would also add another saying: "may the darkness and blind spots in me become more illuminated by the clarity in you, just as the darkness and blind spots in you can become more illuminated by the clarity in me."

Lastly,there are two problematic issues that can get in the way when talking to people about second tier: 1) People, who's center of gravity is in the stage prior to the second tier "leap" (The "Green Meme" close in meaning to "cultural creatives"), often think they already are second tier. 2) People centered in the Green Meme, on the other hand, may judge a hierarchical developmental stage "rating" system only as a way of allowing a few self-selected people the egotistical judging that "I'm better than you."

Description of Second Tier: Into the meat of it

From my point of view, second tier means a shift in one's central focus from "shouldism" and "aboutism" to "is-ism". One's first and more primary concern becomes what is actually present rather than what should be present. 2nd tier is primarily a space one comes from, not so much an external philosophy one talks about, or a set of shoulds or guidelines. It is the glow emitted from the burning charcoal itself rather than a flashlight shined on it.

One comes from 2nd tier like water spontaneously and bursts from a deep deep underground spring. There is outrageousness, gracefulness and "creative awkwardness" as one both discovers, learns to flows with, and find words for, the new material that spontaneously emerges and often surprises us. It is an out-of-the box-blossoming not contained by today's typical "cultural creative" thinking and being. It is out of, out of the box.

There is often a curiosity and interest in what is arising (often simultaneously occurring with a "creative indifference" and relaxed "detachment"). There is often ample space for phenomena to arise and this space is often "rested in". There is the "ground" and "fertile void" or source to which one returns and from which new subjects and objects emerge.

This can create an experience of dying or evaporating from moment to moment. It is this beautiful movement that creates an underling sense of well-being, groundedness and healing. It is the calm that permeates the storm. This natural self-regulating process is a primary function of the organism as vital as the breath itself.

There is a sense of trust in one's own vital processes. there is also a sense that one's own processes extend beyond the body so that all process, in a sense, are the self. Perhaps a sense of "how could it be any other way!" Every moment, every action is an experiment (and not some one elses experiment).

One is more grounded in one's own "primary processes" (direct, connected, core, full ranged, and non-fragmented) and less and less in "secondary processes" (substitute, symbolic, fragmented, compartmentalized, purely external, or deflected).

Secondary or substitute processes don't eclipse vital primary core processes nearly as much. One receives insights more and more directly from "primary sources" (the fertile void) and less from 'secondary sources" (external authority and models). One, more and more, receives moment to moment direct revelations that arise. One "downloads" information directly. One lives one's life according to what one notices.

There is a willingness to give space for all that one notices, so that one can include and transcend and include vs repress or deny and transcend.

"Read-ins", "overlays" and projections are traded for more direct perceptions and true implications. There is definitely the increased "grasping" or comprehension of the full implications of an action or idea less distorted by what is read-in.

One gives up the speaking and listening in "read-in-ease" which is the prominent mode of communication in our society. Many "first tier" people are so busy reading in to what they perceive that true implications are all but lost. "Read-in mentalities", developmental stuckness & fixations and anti-life meme infections are passed on from generation to generation as in Reich's "emotional plague". Moving up the developmental spiral is more like swimming up a river overgrown and clogged with roots and vines. Developmental stages become developmental stuckness. Stuckness comes to be seen as healthy.

I believe in second tier one can connect the dots on a meta level (or even a meta-meta level) or from higher perspectives. Stuckness can be seen for what it is. One begins to get "perspectives on perspectives on perspectives" and can see that all perspectives are not equal and that no perspective is final. there are always higher vantage points and every perspective has its limitations.

The higher perspectives can transcend and include intellectual, rational, emotional, intuitive, and sensory perspectives and are based on and grounded in primary perceptions and processes. There is a movement from out of secondary processes toward primary processes, to "meta processes"

All of one's processes take place within a larger space, nothingness or no-mind. There is no strong identification with any position. Thinking rarely starts from a conclusion, rather from a state of "not knowing" or "no-mind". Thoughts are beautifully "formed" rather than just thought. The interest is in: What is going on, what is real, what is the truth and am I being truthful at this moment, what is the corrective feedback for my navigation? The will to believe is traded for the will to find out.

One dwells in and comes from the "pre-thought gap" which is much wider in 2nd tier. This seeing from this gap prevents a thought from becoming master by running its program without awareness. In this gap, objects flow directly out of pure potentiality and pure possibility

On an even "deeper level" There is also the "pre-personal gap": the space in which somthing arises before it becomes your identity.

There is more of a moment to moment spontaneous "coming from" vs. talking about or "shoulding about". Primary being and feeling processes are less likely to be "deflected" into unnecessary or compulsive thinking activities. Needs are what they are, feelings are what they are and pain is what it is. Anti-life, toxic, indirect and secondary "pseudo-processes" processes within systems are more often recognized and dealt with on multi-levels. There is a grounding in all things as they phenomenologically are in that moment.

One is constantly discovering and objectifying obsolete maps and representations of one's self and the world that are hidden in one's wallpaper of the world. One can outrageously let go of, and act without, any model or map when appropriate. Maps (including AQAL) are not grasped tightly an are allowed to constantly morph, develop and become conscious.

Consciousness Rhythms

Lately I've noticed how my consciousness naturally and rhythmically flows from enlightened transcendent blissful clarity, to arising painful shadow material that needs my attention to work through.

This feels like a natural balanced rhythm that allows for the deep enjoyment of life as well as the healing of past wounds. Increase opening on one end of the rhythm increases the opening process at the other end. They seem like oganismic complementary pocesses. I allows me to occupy and clean both the attic and the basement and all the rooms in between.

Perhaps the Most Burning Issues of our Time: Fear and Denial of Pathology

We are so afraid of pathology. We deny sickness at every level. The denial of the extent of pathology (inside and outside) is often at the very core of pathology.

I believe this denial is perhaps the most burning issue of our time because it is the ground out of which all contradictory and fragmented human behaviors emerge, including humans causing global warming and unnecessary mass extinctions (perhaps our own).

Pathology is the condition where an organism or life system is being prevented from its own truly optimal functioning and creative experimentation. Pathology is "anti-life", "anti-health" processes that speeds deterioration and prevents further healthy development. Most "shadow" reflects pathology, Most accepted "normalcy" reflects pathology.

Many of us can acknowledge that we live in a sick society (not to deny that healthy aspects exist). Most, however, quickly forget that when we try to function in it we quickly go back into our "trance" and denial as we buy into what is given to us. We become trapped by the belief that "the emperor must have clothes", otherwise others around me would have seen it. It's hard to break out of what you cannot or will not see.

Our view of what is pathological is a function of our own pathology. I believe most people frequently mistaken health for pathology and pathology for health. The more pathology we have, the more we will call pathology healthy.

From my point of view, Wilhelm Reich's "Emotional Plague" is very real. We are all "infected" with anti-life processes masquerading as life processes. Pathology is passed from one generation to the next and shows up both the individual and in society. Any developmental theory that does not fully deal with the vast presence of pathology on all levels is incomplete and becomes a reflection of the pathology itself.

Pathology is so all around us it seems normal. Responses similar to: "nothing could be that sick" or " let's look at the positive" prevents us from seeing "yes, something really could be that sick and out of balance relative to what it could be".

Of course, on the other hand, seeing more pathology than is actually there is also a reflection of pathology. As in most issues concerning what is actually there, one can make either "type one" or "type two" error.

I say, only "healthy clarity" can detect the full extent of unhealthy pathology. In addition, only "healthy clarity" can detect truly "healthy clarity". Other wise, you may not be able to see the "flies in your eyes" because of the "flies in your eyes". Healthy clarity can only come from a mind that is quiet (not a mind that is made quiet). A mind that is quiet is quiet because it continually understands itself.


Pathology vs. Woundedness & Pain:

I believe there is a huge difference be between pathology and woundedness.... more to come.

Reality Boxes

We all get trapped by our realty boxes. Not realizing that the boxes exist in a larger space. By always seeing the current walls of the box, by always questioning everything, by always allowing ourselves to bump up against something larger, we can continually shed and beak free of our old reality boxes. These walls were never meant to be permanent parts of our self. It can also be liken to shedding our old skin. It feels good and fresh, and can also cause stinging pain at times. To never shed your skin is to walk in deadness.

Truth is something that can always come from unexpected directions and dimensions and can spin your head around. It nourishes us, feeds us, and wakes us up, as if truth itself were intelligent. May your connection with truth always be a nourishing, exciting, intimate, and enlightening.

Remote Viewing

I can remote view and that is exhilarating. It is done in such a way that no alternative explanations are possible. It saddens, as well as, angers, frustrates and disgusts me to know how many people are not really open to discovering the truths of no-local consciousness. Pseudo seekers are pseudo finders. Really seek and ye shall really find. Perhaps to really seek is the ultimate discipline. In a sense, to really seek requires the beautiful space of non-seeking. Finding that place where doing and not doing are the same thing. See for yourself and really see.

There is no such thing as being healthly at a stage you are stuck in

Many views of the world sugarcoat pathology including the integral approach. Few people like to use the word because almost no one likes to label or to be labeled "pathological". The so-called "developmental stages" mentioned in integral and spiral dynamics are, to me, more " stations of stuckness", or places of developmental fixation, or "stations of incremental degrees of working through pathology" than any true developmental scheme or "conveyor belt". Being stuck or fixated at a stage is pathology. You cannot have a healthy version of stuckness, only a less pathological version of it.

This is not to deny that healthy developmental schemes exist. To be healthy at a stage means: 1) you are at the appropriate age range and 2) that you are not stuck, that is, the process of development has not been arrested.

In terms of nations and cultures, just because certain values or views have not become readily available and adopted in that nation or even in the world, does not mean that that nation is not pathologically stuck or that there is a healthy version of that stuckness. (Also, I believe there is a way of proving that ALL values are available at ALL times past, present, and future. I will not go into that at present.)

Many proposed schemes of development have, in spite of their huge contribution to understanding humanity, have not, in my view, dealt correctly with what amounts to "stages of pathological stuckness".

I believe they have also not tackled Wilhelm Reich's concept of "The Emotional Plague" where pathology spreads and gets passed on from generation to generation as one of many an "anti-life", "anti-developmental" processes. (Which I will go into at a later time.)

What Is Real?

What is real is: "*&%$$#*!&%$#". How our sensory perceptual cognitive systems interpret it, make sense of it, isolate it, orient to it, model it, limit and distort it is another story. "Given-ness" is most likely a property of our interpretive systems than a quality of reality (although I wouldn't take that as given). In the ultimate sense "the territory is not the territory". Reality most likely includes an open-endedness on an inconceivable number of dimensions and transcends any definition and anything that integral or anyone else has conceived of (complex or simple.) Perhaps the less distortions, delusions, and read-ins we have, the closer we understand it and are congruent with it. I believe we are "closest" to reality through "resonation processes" (vs emulation processes) which I won't discuss now. Also, it may take vast complexity to be vastly simple.

Read-in-eze

Read-in-eze a major obstacle to seeing reality (what is real). That's the process of reading things in to (or out of) what we see and hear. It is also the process of expecting others to read-in certain thing into what we say. No-one is immune from it. We are all really good at connecting dots that aren't there, creating gestalt of things that don't exist.

We keep projecting the dots that were previously and unconsciously connected at childhood. We fill in the missing dots in the "picture" we are looking at and then we connect them and of course these connections most likely form an image that fits our current view of the world.

Conversely, we are very good at not seeing and not connecting the dots we find painful. Built-in mechanisms protect us from being overwhelmed.

All of this is done in a fraction of a second and is not likely to reach consciousness. We forget that the dot connecting processes largely involuntary and unconscious. We are sailing our boats on a sea of mostly organismic involuntary, unconscious processes. Often our current "mature" cognitive processes are but "puppets" of earlier immature self.

For every conscious process we are aware of, there are hundred of unconscious processes making that possible. To the extent early childhood wounding occurred, pain-laden unconscious processes can produce distorted conscious processes.


One way to catch these processes is in the pre-thought gap (or post-thought gap). The pre-thought gap is the space that is pre-existent to each thought in which a thought can be detected as an object before it takes hold and runs its program. if it runs its program on automatic we are deluded no matter how accurate or high level it is.

Another way is in a deep core primal release that goes all the way to the point where the wounding actually occurred in the part of the brain which, at the time, had not developed well enough to metabolize the wound. This could be called the pre-rational window. It is not just the cortex accessing unconscious memories, but it is the limbic system giving up its full content and pain in full force to the whole organism for complete discharge and assimilation.


What is real?

What is real is "*&%$$#*!&%$#". How our sensory perceptual cognitive systems interpret it, make sense of it, isolate it, orient to it, model it, limit and distort it is another story. "Given-ness" is most likely a property of our interpretive systems than a quality of reality (although I wouldn't take that as given). In the ultimate sense "the territory is not the territory". Reality most likely includes an open-endedness on an inconceivable number of dimensions and transcends any definition and anything that integral or anyone else has conceived of (complex or simple.) Perhaps the less distortions, delusions, and read-ins we have, the closer we understand it. I believe we are "closest" to reality through "resonation processes" (vs emulation process) which I won't discuss now. Also, it may take vast complexity to be vastly simple.

Affirmation of the Healing Process

I state my willingness and intention to heal. I state my willingness and intension to feel my feelings. I am willing to allow the gates to gently open. I am willing to allow the hardness to melt. I am willing to risk allowing the unknown and unexpected to emerge. No matter how painful I will be there to feel what wants to be felt. I take each pain as it emerges and gently hold it in my arms and love it. I do this because it is me that I am holding and loving. It’s OK to feel afraid and lost. I give myself support with my breath and my gentle patient attention. I ask for support from others when I need it.

I feel myself exactly as I am. I feel my forbidden impulses and longings no matter how unacceptable they may seem. There is no part of me that is not worthy of unconditional attention and healing. There is no part of me that does not deserve to unfold, heal and find its rightful place. I sense and trust my innate intelligence and power to heal all of my wounds. I trust my own rate of healing and opening up. Whatever time and patience is required I will give it. I will journey from the outer layers into my heart of heats and explore my unknown territories. I am open to discovering all of what I never knew was there (even when it goes against my previous conception of myself and of the world). I am willing to feel what has never been felt so I can be and discover who I truly am. I am a being of many levels and many processes. I ask the process of life that is within me to teach me and to continue to teach me.

Calling Delusions Delusions

I believe we need radical social honesty. There are a preponderance of currently existing social delusions. They are delusions.

Every stage of development can develop it own unique delusions.

It is wussy however, to say everyone is "partially right". People with clinical delusions are also partially right, but it does not address what needs to be addressed. The word delusion is a much needed word and a much sharper knife to cut with.

We want to be kind to the reality of others, but this does not mean coddling delusions and not honestly looking at the mechanisms which create them. This social "pathology" goes way beyond what is to be expected from people at a certain "developmental stages".

The definition of "crazy making" is "to treat that which is not sane, as sane." Crazy making invalidates and dis-empowers everyone.

Gestalt Prayer Adapted for Perspectives (rough draft)

You have your point of view
I have my point of view.

Where one point of view overlaps
we can agree to agree;
where they don't
we can agree to disagree.

Let us appreciate our differences
and morn the loss of what we may not be able to share,
and celebrate the communion of what we do share.

Your point of view may
or may not overlap
with my point of view.

I am not in this world to see
the world from your point of view.
You are not in this world
to see the world through
my point of view.

If by chance and effort I can see your point of view,
I don't need to agree with it and vice versa.

Let us move to the higher ground of perspectives on perspectives,
and if we can move to higher ground together
let us not hold on too tight
to either our perspectives
or our perspectives on perspectives.

Conversions

Conversions start from the bottom up. If we can't deal with something that arises on one level, we convert it to the next higher level. The more conversions we do, the further we are from reality and the further we are from who we really are.

Nearly everyone does the following conversions, one level overflowing and being converted into the next:

1) Raw arising of object - sensation, feeling - response, memory - need from the core and from the "fertile void".

2) Next, conversion into imaginings, anticipations, expectations, projections, constant mental rehearsals etc. Past is converted into present circumstances.

3) Next, conversion into obsessive thinking & problem solving.

4) Next, conversion into rigid conclusions, beliefs & dogma that are partly unconscious and highly defended.

5) Next, conversion into delusions (which are incredibly robust).
_______________________________

Dying to One's Self

To lay down one's life for one's self
Allow your self to die into your organism

No longer necessary
a sacrifice of the greatest love

No one is here
no one is here!

Reality itself sees

Be seen by the trees
Be seen by the mountains
Yet there is nothing to see
There is no one to look at

Reciprocal Perception

Reciprocal Perception means that unconsciously "I won't see, understand or EVEN PERCEIVE what you are saying until I see you perceiving and understanding what I am saying." 

Example: The Palestinians and Israelis. They don't get and CAN'T get what each other are saying, not only because as a whole they haven't developed the ability to see things through 2nd and 3rd person perspectives, but also because they don't even perceive the each other's perspective in the first place. Completely unconsciously operating: "If you can't see me, I can't see you"

The Lens / Mirror of Consciousness

In consciousness, the lens is is not separate from what is perceived.

A dirty lens creates noise and distortion which in turn can be perceived with distortion.

One cannot see the "flies in one's eyes" correctly because of the "flies in ones eyes".

A clear lens can be likened to the surface of a pond. When the water is quiet and not muddy it reflect or (resonates with) the outside world with little distortion and from many perspectives simultaneously.

Likewise the surface of clear quiet water reflects without distortion.

Healthy and Unhealthy Versions of Developmental Stages

My view of healthy and unhealthy developmental stages for adults

I believe the "90%/10%" rule applies to the healthiness and unhealthiness of the stages most people in the US are in.

That means that very roughly only about 10% of the people are in a healthy version of the " value meme" they are predominantly in, and very roughly 90% are in an unhealthy version of the "value meme" their "center of gravity" is in.

Focus on developmental stages has the potential of eclipsing another reality which is what Welhelm Reich called the "Emotional Plague". This is the "fact" that Neurosis has been passed down from generation to gerenation on a massive scale. This cannot be considered a normal part of development.

Below is a list of the qualities of healthy and unhealthy developmental memes

Healthy (10%)

Developmentally progressing

Open system

Degree of openess to progression

Vibrancy

Positive movement

Appropriate pain, frustration and discomfort

Ego dystonic and syntonic rhythm

Permeable

Self testing

Childlike

Innocent

>

Unhealthy (90%) None of these qualities need to be a part of ANY level of of development

Developmentally arrested

Closed system

Defended against progression

Stagnation

Stuckness or regression

Avoidance of frustration & pain through artificial support

Overly ego syntonic

air tight defenses

self-fulfilling belief loops

Immature, childish relative to age

Naive, Jaded

Various Non-connected Thoughts Forming

1: Many of us feel we rationally can approach everything in the universe; however there may me "things" in the universe, relative to which, our mind is utterly psychotic-like.

2: We must distinguish between response-ability (the ability to respond or its opposite: response-inability) and accountability (knowing you are the person who will receive consequences of your actions, inactions and choices.)

The two are entirely different and totally confused.

If you have both predominant response-inability and account-inability, you're pretty much screwed for this lifetime.

We must take responsibility and accountability for what we don't say and what we don't do.

3 There are people who live there live more according to what actually may be inferred
and there are people who live their lives more according to innuendo and what is read in. Most people are of the second type.

4 Most people are utterly incapable of putting everything on the table in terms of what is actually there to be considered and attended to. A shared effort by two of more people to put everything that is truly due concern on the table is nearly non-existent from my point of view.

What may be truly relevant to be on the table, how much attention it initially may deserve and what may be truly irrelevant is a function of intelligence, cognitive and emotional honesty, experience, personal values and developmental level.

Self-Liberating

Fall from the tree with shimmering leaves and swaying branches
surrendering existence as you fall

Symphony playing itself

One note, One Taste

Bottomless space liberating itself

Motto

Highest consciousness

Highest creativity

Highest expression

Highest activity

Highest joy

Deepest shadow work

Deepest feelings

Deepest pain

Deepest release

Deepest ground

Deepest flow

Deepest healing

Deepest truth

Biggest whole

Never lose sight of the whole

Never compromise health

Namaste

See Yourself

To see yourself - look at a flower

Every arrow of attention that shoots out sends a twin arrow of attention within

As Emptiness and Form are the same, so are these arrows

These arrows can kill you

Die this moment and your life is returned to you

"Blessed are those who were born before they were born"

Blessed are those who died before they died