The Path to Self-Authorship

I was having a conversation with a friend the other day about how people change when they go through different experiences and stages in their life. Change is often positive but it can also be negative if the change is an external adaptation to a new reality that is not congruent with who we are on the inside. Allow me to elaborate.

Last year a woman we know, let's call her Anna, got married and my friend was telling me that she feels Anna is not the same person she used to be, especially when she's around her husband. She is adapting to his image of what a wife should be by erasing aspects of her personality that may trigger him. For the sake of peace and harmony in her marriage, she chose to build a fa?ade that fulfills her new role as wife of X. Anna may not even realize that this is what she's doing but, in order to fit into this new box, she chose to re-prioritize her values in order to make someone else happy. This may seem like an extreme case but choosing to please others is more common than you think. "Being liked" is actually a value many people have and it is defined as a "limiting value" in the 'Barrett Seven Levels of Consciousness' model. But why does this happen and what can you do about it? In order to answer this question, I will take you on a journey towards a more soul-centric life by reviewing three development frameworks: The Barrett Model, Adult Development Theory and Spiral Dynamics.

“If you want to understand another person in some fundamental way you must know where the person is in his or her evolution...the way in which the person is settling the issue of what is 'self' and what is 'other' essentially defines the underlying logic (or 'psychologic') of the person's meanings.”―?Robert Kegan,?The Evolving Self: Problem and Process in Human Development

"The Barrett Model is the breakthrough work of Richard Barrett. Inspired by Abraham Maslow’s?Hierarchy of Needs and tested over more than two decades of real-world experience, the model identifies the seven most important areas of human motivation. These range from basic survival at one end of the scale, to societal contribution and future generations at the other end of the scale. The model provides a proven map for understanding the evolution of personal values, organizational values, leadership values, and community and societal values." *

Personal Entropy

In the Barrett model, personal entropy refers to the degree of alignment or congruence between an individual's values and behaviors. It is a measure of how well a person's actions and choices align with their core values and the values associated with their level of consciousness.

When a person's values and behaviors are incongruent, they experience personal entropy, which can manifest as feelings of frustration, disconnection, and a lack of fulfillment. On the other hand, when values and behaviors are aligned, personal entropy decreases, leading to a sense of purpose, authenticity, and well-being.

Anna, in this case, would be experiencing personal entropy. This will add more and more pressure on her emotionally over time until she realizes one day her level of disconnection and unhappiness. And when she does, she may choose to act on it, grow, and transform, or stay in her comfort zone.

“Personal entropy is the amount of fear-driven energy that a person expresses in their day-to-day life as measured through their interactions with, or behaviours towards other people. Personal entropy arises from the subconscious fear-based beliefs that we learn during the surviving, conforming and differentiating stages of our psychological development. These represent our ego’s unmet needs—not having enough, not being loved enough, and not being enough—also known as secondary motivations. When we are making decisions based on fear-based beliefs, we are focussed on our own self-interest. As a result, we promote separation.” Excerpt From The Metrics of Human Consciousness Richard Barrett https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-metrics-of-human-consciousness/id961227776

This concept of transformation and growth has been at the heart of many models I studied over the years starting with the Barrett model. Another very interesting theory is the "Adult Development" theory developed by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey. According to adult development theory, specifically the work of psychologist Robert Kegan, moving from the socialized mind to the self-authored mind involves a significant shift in one's cognitive and psychological development. This transition represents a higher level of maturity and complexity in a person's way of thinking, understanding, and relating to the world. Here are some key aspects involved in this transition:

1. Increased self-awareness: Moving from the socialized mind to the self-authored mind requires an increased level of self-awareness. Individuals begin to question and examine their own beliefs, values, and assumptions. They become more aware of their own thoughts, emotions, and motivations, and are able to reflect upon them critically.

2. Subject-object shift: A critical aspect of the transition is what Kegan refers to as the subject-object shift. Individuals move from being identified with their own thoughts and perspectives (subject) to being able to objectively observe and reflect on them (object). This shift allows individuals to take a more detached and nuanced view of themselves and the world around them.?

3. Integration of multiple perspectives: People transitioning to the self-authored mind develop the capacity to hold multiple perspectives simultaneously. They recognize that there are diverse ways of viewing situations and are open to considering alternative viewpoints. This ability to integrate different perspectives enhances their understanding and empathy for others.?

4. Self-authorship and internalized values: At this stage, individuals become more self-directed in shaping their own values, beliefs, and sense of identity. They are less dependent on external validation or societal expectations and take responsibility for defining their own principles and purpose in life.

This is where the Barrett model and adult development meet. When we become more aware of our own values and the choices we make, we move towards self-authorship where we rely on our own internal assessment vs the opinions that others make of us.

5. Reflective thinking and complexity: Transitioning to the self-authored mind involves a shift towards more complex and abstract thinking. Individuals develop the ability to think critically, reason logically, and handle ambiguity and paradox. They can hold and reconcile conflicting ideas and appreciate the complexity of issues. To learn more about complexity, I highly recommended Jennifer Garvey Berger's latest book co-authored with Carolyn Coughlin titled "Unleash your Complexity Genius"

6. Autonomy and authenticity: Individuals in the self-authored stage have a greater sense of autonomy and agency. They are better able to make independent decisions based on their own values and beliefs rather than relying solely on external authorities. They strive for authenticity and alignment between their actions and their inner sense of self.

Moving from the socialized to the self-authored mind is a gradual and ongoing process that occurs over time. It requires active engagement in self-reflection, learning, and personal growth. It is parallel to the Barrett framework which also describes the evolution of human consciousness through the lens of the values. It is the human journey from Ego to Soul. Moving from a place of fear, where I worry about how I will be perceived and I care about what others think of me, to a place where I realize I can design, create and author my own journey.

"All growth is costly. It involves the leaving behind of an old way of being in the world. Often it involves, at least for a time, leaving behind the others who have been identified with that old way of being."―?Robert Kegan,?The Evolving Self: Problem and Process in Human Development

Another parallel I would like to draw here is the connection between these models and Spiral Dynamics.

Spiral Dynamics

Spiral Dynamics is a developmental model that describes the evolution of human consciousness and social systems. It was developed by Don E.?Beck and Cristopher Cowan, based on the pioneering work of developmental psychologist Clare W. Graves. While it does not explicitly discuss the connection between ego and soul, it provides a framework that can be used to understand their relationship from a broader perspective. Here's how the connection between ego and soul can be understood within the context of Spiral Dynamics:

1. Ego Development: In Spiral Dynamics, the ego is primarily associated with the earlier stages of development, such as the "Survival" (Beige) and "Egocentric" (Red) stages. At these stages, the ego is focused on individual survival, basic needs, and asserting one's own desires and power. The ego is driven by self-interest, and its primary concern is personal identity, security, and immediate gratification.

In the Barrett model, these would be the first 3 levels of Survival, Relationships and Sel-Esteem.

“The ego is totally absorbed in making the best of its three-dimensional existence: it not only wants to survive, it also wants to thrive. Thriving for the ego-mind means finding ways to accumulate more material resources, get more love, and gain more recognition. When it is able to satisfy these needs it feels happy. The ego is unaware of its quantum energetic reality, and the world of the soul.” - Excerpt From: Barrett, Richard. “The Metrics of Human Consciousness.”

2. Higher Stages and Soul Connection: As individuals progress through the stages of Spiral Dynamics, they move beyond egocentric concerns and develop a broader perspective that includes consideration for others and the collective. The higher stages, such as "Human Bond" (Green), "Systemic" (Yellow), and "Holistic" (Turquoise), provide a foundation for connecting with a deeper sense of purpose and meaning that can be associated with the soul.

"The soul lives in abundance and sufficiency. It is at ease with uncertainty and thrives on change.” - Excerpt From: Barrett, Richard. “The Metrics of Human Consciousness.”

3. Transcending Ego: At the higher stages of Spiral Dynamics, individuals begin to transcend the egoic identification with personal desires and attachments. They develop a greater capacity for empathy, compassion, and the ability to see the interconnectedness of all beings. This transcendence allows for a more holistic and inclusive perspective that aligns with the qualities often associated with the soul, such as love, unity, and spiritual awareness.?

4. Soulful Expression: As individuals connect with their soul or higher self, they may experience a greater sense of authenticity, alignment, and purpose in their actions. They may feel a deep calling to contribute to the well-being of others and the world, driven by a sense of interconnectedness and a desire for collective growth and evolution. This soulful expression can manifest in various ways, such as acts of service, creativity, leadership, and spiritual exploration.

It is important to note that Spiral Dynamics provides a framework for understanding the broad patterns of human development, but the nuances of the ego-soul connection are subjective and can be influenced by personal beliefs, spiritual traditions, and individual experiences.

Points 2, 3 and 4 above are similarly described in the Barrett model. The value of courage sits at level 4 where Transformation happens followed by levels 5 to 7. "In the fourth state of consciousness, we recognize we are more than an ego in a physical body. By contemplating the question Who am I? we begin to recognize that we are also a soul. In the fifth state of consciousness we learn to fully identify with the motivations of our soul. We give more focus to exploring our natural gifts and talents and we begin to experience a fear-free state of psychological functioning. In the sixth state of consciousness, we become aware of the deep level of connection we have to other people. We realize that there are no “others” because at a deeper level of being we are all energetically connected. In the seventh state of consciousness, we become one with all there is. The self fuses with every other aspect of creation in a state of oneness. There is no separation between the knower and the object of knowing.

The frequency of our experiences of these higher states of consciousness depends on the degree to which we have released the fear-based beliefs we learned during our childhood and teenage years." *

?“People trust you when you are genuine and authentic, not an imitation … You need to be who you are, not try to emulate somebody else … Leaders are defined by their unique life stories and the way they frame their stories to discover their passions and the purpose of their leadership.”―?Richard Barrett,?Evolutionary Coaching: A Values Based Approach to Unleashing Human Potential

“When you understand where you are in your development and what stage is coming up next, you can make choices that anticipate future challenges and thereby accelerate the pace of your development.”―?Richard Barrett,?Evolutionary Coaching: A Values Based Approach to Unleashing Human Potential

Interconnectedness of the models

Spiral Dynamics, the Barrett Seven Levels Model, and adult development theory share common themes and interconnectedness in their understanding of human development and consciousness. While they have distinct frameworks and terminology, there are overlaps and connections between these models. Here are some key points of intersection:

?1. Value Systems and Consciousness: Spiral Dynamics and the Barrett Seven Levels Model emphasize the role of values in human development. They propose that as individuals move through stages or levels, their value systems shift, leading to different ways of thinking, behaving, and relating. Adult development theory also acknowledges the importance of values and beliefs in shaping one's identity and cognitive development.

?2. Self-Authorship and Autonomy: The models highlight the concept of self-authorship or self-directedness in higher stages or levels of development. This implies an increased sense of autonomy, self-reflection, and the ability to shape one's own values, beliefs, and identity. The transition from socialized mind to self-authored mind, as described by adult development theory, aligns with the progression toward higher levels in Spiral Dynamics and the Barrett model.

3. Complexity and Integration: All three models recognize the increasing complexity and integration of thinking and behavior as individuals progress through stages or levels. This includes the ability to hold multiple perspectives, think critically, and handle ambiguity. The models acknowledge that higher stages or levels involve more inclusive and holistic ways of perceiving and understanding the world.?

Integrating multiple perspectives and being aware of the nuances and connections between these models can offer a more comprehensive understanding of human development. My aim through this article is to draw the connection between these 3 models because they have impacted my own development and continue to impact my clients in very powerful ways. Remember that we all have blind spots. There are certain stages of growth where we don't know what we don't know and hiring a coach would be an essential investment that will help us uncover these blind spots and step into the next stage of growth with confidence, awareness and grace.

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*https://www.barrettacademy.com/about-2020/the-barrett-model