[FRAMEWORK IN PROGRESS | This idea is still under research & development — we need your feedback to see what parts ring true, which seem inaccurate, and what plain doesn't make sense! Please share your insights in the comments below. Your input is highly appreciated as we go on this journey in search of truth together.]
On this journey of life we find that competing impulses constantly pull us in different directions. While we can make conscious choices to focus on anything at any time, our 'egos' (which I am defining here as our physical programming, mostly the natural functions of our brains/nervous systems) have a more hierarchical agenda, and will send us impulses (feelings, desires, thoughts, etc.) to fulfil our needs in a certain order.
The only reason people do not reach their highest potentials in what they decide to pursue are these competing (ego) impulses that we choose to give attention to. Gaining clarity as to what these impulses are and the needs they seek to fulfil is helpful if we want to stay focused on our conscious goals. This awareness can be helpful in managing distractions.
Ego vs. Consciousness
Our interior world has a certain life of its own to which we are all frequently called to respond. Physically associated sensations like hunger and tiredness, ‘random’ thoughts and urges, deep longings — all of these things constantly pull your attention and influence your free-will, decision-making self.
Your subconscious (ego) inner world is naturally keyed into physical reality and will create impulses to urge your conscious (spiritual—more on that later) aspect of self to make decisions it feels are important. You have the freedom to choose how to respond, but these impulses arise of their own accord.
For example, you must eat to survive, so your body produces feelings of hunger. Urges to procreate or gather resources (money, in this day and age) are also based on the truth/reality of the biological and ecological systems that we physically inhabit.
In order to acquire these needs, we must somehow integrate ourselves within the system that is able to provide them. Integration means that we need to find our comfortable place within a specific system.
The 4 Levels
In the case of survival needs, the system is our environment. Figuring out how to exist and operate within your environment to acquire and maintain a steady supply of food, water, and safety are always going to be a priority. Why is it a priority? Because impulses within you will urge you ever more strongly to do so until it is nigh impossible to resist. These impulses are at the surface, Level 1, of our experience. Until these level 1 Impulses are satisfactorily fulfilled, it will be difficult to focus our attention to the levels beyond it.
At Level 2 we focus on acquiring our social needs of love and belonging. It is about integrating, or finding our place, within the system that is our community. Humans are deeply social creatures, and so these Level 2 impulses are very strong within us. Our relationships with the people who are most important to us are instinctively a high priority, just after physiological survival (Level 1) needs. If you're in an argument with a loved one, or in danger of losing your job, higher level 3 and 4 impulses will often be difficult to focus on or find motivation for.
Level 3 is the realm of 'knowing thyself' and personal growth. At the heart of level 3 impulses is the need to be in full integrity within oneself. This means to have a conscious understanding of and match our actions with our genuine beliefs and affinities. As people become secure in their level 1 and 2 needs, the level 3 impulses will begin to demand attention.
Level 4 is the ‘spiritually’ oriented impulse towards integration with ‘ultimate truth’—that which is greater than ourselves and our own personal realities. Questions like 'what is my purpose?' and 'what is the meaning of life?' naturally arise once we are fully integrated physically, socially, and personally. This is the level that mystics and philosophers focus their attention. While we all ask these questions and have an unbreakable tether to the Absolute at every level, if we are experiencing strong impulses on the lower levels it may be challenging to focus on cultivating a deep conscious understanding of transcendent reality. For example, until we've gained a sense of personal integrity at level 3, it is very difficult to honestly delve into this realm, as our biases and programming will make it hard to perceive these subtle metaphysical truths clearly.
The Spirit Works in Reverse
Interestingly, the hierarchy of the conscious (higher self) mind works in the opposite direction of what is outlined here (which is the egoic impulse hierarchy). Our spirits have the strongest impulse towards understanding and uniting with ultimate truth (Level 4), then discovering own authentic selves (Level 3), genuine connection with others (Level 2), and finally acknowledges our physical needs as practical necessities (Level 1).
We are ultimately conscious, spiritual beings, and so it is actually in alignment with our highest natures to follow this reverse hierarchy. However, the ego's hierarchy discussed above will send us impulses in the order outlined. It is beneficial to consciously navigate these impulses in order to improve the focus and ease at which we are able to work at the higher levels.
As we understand these levels of impulses within us, we gain more clarity about the forces that are pulling us in different directions, and thus effecting our motivations and focus. Once we can see how we are operating in our lives at these different levels, it can be helpful to consciously integrate ourselves at the lower levels (or else use our will-power to overcome these impulses as they arise) if we are having difficulty turning our attention to the higher ones.
Reflection/Journaling Prompt
Which level do you currently focus the most attention? How might impulses from the level(s) below be competing with your goals in that area?
Comments