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Spiral Dynamics vMemes

Red - Egocentric-exploitive

Introductory comments: The following description of one of the Spiral Dynamics stages of development of consciousness, considered first tier in the Beck and Wilber models (Beck's former co-worker Cowan now rejects the idea of tiers), is taken from a page that is no longer on the Web. It quotes material that is in Beck & Cowan's book on Spiral Dynamics, some of which has been quoted in Wilber's book on Integral Psychology (pp.47ff). I've added my own comments at the end. In my opinion, these are not sequential stages that consciousness is railroaded through in its evolution, but psycho-social archetypes that can be variously explored and developed, in any combination. In this context, the Spiral Dynamics "v-memes" are like Mimi Lobell's spatial archetypes, and there is a lot of overlap between the two. (In this particular context Red / Egocentric-exploitive corresponds to Four Quarters (Warrior Culture). A connection can also be made with theNew Age chakras and equivalent typology. So Spiral Dynamics Red seems to be quite similar to Christopher Hills Base Chakra Red.

"RED 'Impulsive' MEME 3rd Awakening

Graves Code: C-P

Basic theme: Be what you are and do what you want, regardless

Characteristic beliefs and actions:

• The world is a jungle full of threats and predators
• Breaks free from any domination or constraint to please self as self desires
• Stands tall, expects attention, demands respect, and calls the shots
• Enjoys self to the fullest right now without guilt or remorse
• Conquers, out-foxes, and dominates other aggressive characters

Where seen: The 'Terrible Twos,' rebellious youth, frontier mentalities, feudal kingdoms, James Bond villains, epic heroes, soldiers of fortune, 'Papa' Picasso, wild rock stars, Atilla the Hun, William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies,' and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers." (Beck & Cowan, p. 45)

Red Personality type

Comment: Among the Beck-Cowan Spiral Dynamics types this is quite a clearly defined one. I could add astrological type - Aries / Mars - as well, which means I have to draw up a series of pages of astrology archetypes to go with teh Spiral Duynamics archetypes (there is also Golden Dawn Qabalah, but this is clearly influenced by astrology). As I said, I don;t believe that the stages progress in a linear fashion, and astrology and Qabalah are superior to Spiral Dynamics and Wilberian Integral Theory in being free of the dependence of monolinear determinism.

Four Quarters (Spatial Archetype)

Further insight can be had by tieing in the Beck and Cowan attributes with the much larger and more comprehensive description of Mimi Lobell corresponding spatial archetype "Four Quarters".