People far wiser than I have researched and written about consciousness, worldviews, theories of human development, personal values and self-compassion. What they are discovering is truly EXCITING and INSPIRING! They explore not only how important these areas are to us as growing and evolving individuals, but also, how collectively, they help us reflect on the likelihood that all life grows and evolves as diverse expressions of a Unified Cosmos.  I think these emerging discoveries can deepen and expand our understanding of Spirit.

Building on theories of development that were taught during my undergraduate program in teacher education, an integral part of the the Masters in Religious Education program was learning how we make moral decisions and grow in our faith. Coming to understand these theories of moral development (Kohlberg and Gilligan) and faith development (Fowler) helped me slowly move beyond frustrated negative judgments toward deeper appreciation for how we all grow and evolve in these areas. For more about Fowler and his definition of ‘faith’, see ‘Spirituality’ in this section.

In addition to cognitive (Piaget) and psychosocial (Erickson) theories of development, those related to worldviews, self-identity, and orders of consciousness also provide significant insight into how we evolve our perceptions and the meanings we attach to them. I find this fascinating.

From both research and personal experience, I have learned how important community is in supporting us, when our comfort zones are challenged, and we face new information that appears to overturn our existing ways of thinking and being. In time, I began to realize that those developmental experiences are related to the transformation of consciousness and to how we might shift our worldviews, while still treasuring our values and developing self-compassion. For more on this, see Co-Creating Compassionate Communities under Community.

Finally, my training with the Barrett Values Center (BVC) – with its focus on levels of consciousness reflected in personal and collective values, along with my exposure to Ken Wilber’s work – has been insightful. For more information about Richard Barrett’s evolving work and the work of the Human Values Center (HVC), founded by Laura Burgis, see ‘Transformational Leadership’ under Purpose.

What follows are resources with which I have some familiarity and knowledge, usually because I have explored them myself.