The Levels of Consciousness - part one
The Spectrum of Consciousness consists in five levels
Human life is the journey from one level of consciousness to another. Each level holds its meaning and functionality in the broader context of conscious evolution. They are all essential building blocks on the path to becoming a Fully Developed Conscious Human Being. Understanding these levels provides a map to help us locate our current position in life and highlights what needs to be done to transcend suffering, self-destruction, and the actual state of existence.
The Spectrum of Consciousness
1. Animal Awareness
2. Pre-Personal
3. Personal
4. Integral (Holistic)
5. Nondual (Mystic)
Humanity, as a collective, is slowly evolving, and we are approaching the halfway point. Most humans currently reside in the pre-personal and personal levels, with some reaching the integral level and very few attaining the nondual consciousness.
Basic Statements About the Levels of Consciousness
Multidimensional
The levels of consciousness are not fixed or rigid, even though they are presented hierarchically, from lower to higher, as if they were distinct and separate. In reality, they are inseparably interconnected and forming one dynamic unity.
These levels are not linear—one does not necessarily complete the pre-personal level before advancing to the personal level, for example. Instead, they are multidimensional, allowing us to access or connect with any level at any point in time. What distinguishes each level is with which we are identified. This identification becomes our "home", the foundation from which we either master or struggle with our journey.
However, our understanding of the spectrum of consciousness is linear and dualistic, a limitation stemming from the nature of the human mind. This is why the levels are presented in a hierarchical manner.
We can only comprehend the levels we have already transcended. At best, we might gain some understanding of our current level.
Universal Pattern
The structure of these levels is based on universal patterns observable in nature and across cultures. These patterns represent the architecture of evolution, which moves in a clear direction—from simple to complex, from low to high, from youth to age, from ignorance to knowledge, from innocence to wisdom, from birth to death. This evolution follows a path, becoming more conscious.
Understanding in the Context
The characteristics (keywords) associated with each level are not exclusive to that particular level. Rather, they represent the degree of identification with the characteristic, which should always be understood in the context of the corresponding level.
Take "compassion" as an example. We can experience compassion at every level of development, and there is even compelling evidence that some animals experience it (1). For instance, a dog may show compassion toward a human in distress. A pre-personal human might feel compassion toward their family or tribe. A personal identity could extend compassion to people in pain. An integral human could experience compassion for all life forms, and finally, a Nondual or enlightened master experiences a cosmic compassion that transcends the notion of selfhood.
As we can see, compassion gains wider understanding and depth as we ascend through the levels of consciousness.
The Levels
1. Level - Animal Awareness
The foundation of human consciousness
One with nature
Living fully in the here and now. There is no abstract thinking—what is, simply is. It represents a "Garden of Eden" existence, characterized by pure awareness.
Keywords
Pure nature - Pure awareness - Reactivity - Survival - Reproduction - Instinct - No awareness of time and death - Absolute present - Honesty - Life experience is pure and uncontaminated - Oneness - No separation - Garden Eden - No knowledge - Unconscious - One body.
The animal level is foundational for all other levels of consciousness. While not considered a level of consciousness in the classical sense, it is essential to the spectrum of human awareness.
One with nature
No time or death awareness
No ego
Although animal awareness is not typically classified as a level of human consciousness, we include it in the spectrum for several reasons.
Firstly, all other levels are built upon it—it forms the foundation of human consciousness.
Secondly, research has shown that certain animals possess a degree of consciousness as well. Species such as Dolphins (2), chimpanzees (3), elephants (4) or magpies (5). They have all passed the ‘mirror test’, which means that they have recognised themselves in the mirror and that is a sign of self-awareness. When we consciously recognise ourselves, we also recognise the world, and this is consciousness.
Many are familiar with the groundbreaking work of Jane Goodwill who brought down the scientific dogma that attributed consciousness only to humans. In her long-term study in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, she documented that chimpanzees have very complex behavioural patterns, us tools and can even be extremely cruel, without this cruelty stands in the context of survival. The 2017 documentary film ‘Jane’ by Brett Morgen is an impressive testimony to her work, absolutely worth seeing.
Historical
The exact lineage of our direct ancestors remains unclear and is still a topic of debate. It is believed that our ancestors lived millions of years ago in Africa. Although there is no definitive evidence of their species, they are often referred to as the "Last Common Ancestor" (LCA) or "Pan-Homo Last Common Ancestor." Humans and chimpanzees likely shared these ancestors.
What is more clear is the time frame, around 6 to 7 millions ago Hominins (future humans) and Panins (future chimpanzees) enter the stage. Humans and chimpanzees share about 98-99% of their DNA, but our common path split at that moment.
Evolution took some millions years more going through the pre-human period to do the next step. Around 2 million ago the genus Homo enter the stage. We had many brothers and sisters species;
Homo rudolfensis (2.4 to 1.9 million years ago)
Homo habilis (2.4 to 1.4 million years ago)
Homo ergaster (1.9 to 1.4 million years ago)
Homo gautengensis (2 million to 600,000 years ago)
Homo erectus (1.9 million to 110,000 years ago)
Homo georgicus (1.8 million years ago)
Homo antecessor (1.2 million to 800,000 years ago)
Homo heidelbergensis (700,000 to 200,000 years ago)
Homo cepranensis (500,000 to 350,000 years ago)
Homo neanderthalensis (400,000 to 40,000 years ago)
Homo naledi (335,000 to 236,000 years ago)
Homo longi (146,000 years ago)
Homo denisova (300,000 to 50,000 years ago)
Homo floresiensis (100,000 to 50,000 years ago)
Homo luzonensis (67,000 to 50,000 years ago)
All these species have extinct, leaving Homo sapiens as the last surviving species of this lineage. The reasons for the extinction of our "brother species" are unclear, though some theories suggest that the rise of Homo sapiens may have contributed to the decline of Homo neanderthalensis_and Homo denisova.
What we know for sure is, where Homo sapiens settles mass extinction took place, particularly affecting large animals, known as "megafauna" extinct with our arrival.
For most of our times, as species, we were insignificant, our impact and ecological footprint was not different from any other medio size animal. All this change with Homo sapiens. When we enter the stage, some 300.000 years ago, first nothing happens, it took around 230.000 years to start to become the most powerful species on earth. With the cognitive revolution around 70,000 years ago, everything changed, leading to the development of tools, language, and finally civilizations. The point is that we have only recently left the Animal Kingdom behind us, or at least it seems that way. As we shall see, we are considerably more animal than we would like to be. That's the reason why we integrate the animal awareness as a level of human consciousness.
Identity
An identity as we understand today don't exist in the animal kingdom. Animals possess little to no awareness of an own identity.
Animal awareness is rooted in the subconscious.. All animals have a subconsciousness and so we do. The subconscious regulates automatic functions such as breathing, digestion, and heartbeat, but also extends to actions like driving a car, playing sports, falling in love, or sensing danger. It stores non-essential memories, heavily influencing our emotions and serving as a driving force behind our social-cultural, genetic and epigenetic conditioning.
Animal awareness plays a crucial role, especially in stressful situations. The "fight or flight" response is a prime example of how this awareness governs our actions. However, this is just the surface—our behavior is influenced by animalistic patterns far more than we tend to acknowledge.
We should not underestimate the significance of this level of awareness, particularly in today's stress-driven society where sexuality and instinctual responses permeate nearly every aspect of life.
2. Level - Prepersonal
We are still part of nature, intertwined with something greater than ourselves. However, we are also self-aware, and this defines the first separation.
Keywords
Intuitive - Gods - Demons - Magic _ Heaven and Hell - Nature - Faith - Separation - Little ego - All is alive - Kings - Priest - Devotion - Fiction - Tribe - Religion - Civilisation
We still live in this magical place where stories are real, there is no clear differentiation between reality and imagination. The personal identity is still in second place, we learn bit by bit and painful what separation means.
First separation
Magical realities / Fiction
Tribal identity / Religion
Historical
This level marks a decisive break from the animal kingdom. We have left the "Garden of Eden" and entered the first classic level of human consciousness. While the exact timing of this shift is unknown, the Cognitive Revolution, approximately 70,000 years ago, is widely believed to have made all the difference.
It was a pivotal moment in evolution. For millions of years, our ancestors lived without leaving any significant mark on history. There was nothing to suggest that this seemingly insignificant animal would one day travel to the moon, invent the atomic bomb, or write Hamlet.
Then, suddenly, something happened. Around 70,000 years ago, fiction emerged. Fictive language came into play, and it changed everything.
While animals live in a singular reality, fictive language allowed humans to inhabit multiple realities. This gave birth to duality—a profound shift in consciousness.
It was the point of no return. We left the "Garden of Eden" forever.
From that moment on, human life became a struggle. Our existence turned into a constant quest for improvement—always searching for something better, something more.
Because we struggle to clearly distinguish between reality and the stories we tell about it, we are easily manipulated and capable of committing terrible acts against other humans, animals, and nature itself.
Unaware of the different levels of consciousness, we have become victims of circumstances and external forces. Over time, stories—fictions, fictive language, and our thoughts—have increasingly replaced reality, leading to dramatic consequences.
With the dawn of self-awareness, humanity embarked on a path of both progress and (self-)destruction. Our early history is marked by wars, slavery, injustice, violence, cruelty, and suffering.
Even today, much of humanity remains at this level of consciousness, driven by the primal needs for security, reproduction, and attachment to religion or tribal belief systems.
Identity
When we are born, we are in a state of pure, animal-like awareness. Soon after, we experience the first separation—the initial realization of selfhood—and become aware of the notion "I exist."
Yet, even with this newfound awareness, we remain deeply connected to our mother, to nature, and to the immediate experience of the present moment.
In this early stage of life, the world feels magical. Fiction and reality are indistinguishable, blending seamlessly together. When life is good, this is a beautiful time—filled with play and free from responsibility. Everything seems enchanted, and we are blissfully unaware of the world's complexities or the deeper dramas of human existence.
At this stage, we place unwavering faith in our parents, leaders, idols, gods, demons, and other external forces. There is an instinctive awareness of our smallness in relation to the vastness of the world beyond ourselves.
As we grow and develop from this pre-personal level, we begin to acquire knowledge of ourselves, and through this, we gain a sense of the world around us. However, the structures of social, cultural, and racial conditioning are designed to trap us at this level of consciousness, making further evolution difficult.
In summary, being a child is a beautiful and natural experience. But remaining in a state of childhood throughout life becomes a tragedy.
"Grown up, and that is a terribly hard thing to do. It is much easier to skip and go from one childhood to another".
F. Scott Fitzgerald.
3. Level - Personal Level
Full of potentials, creating realities at high speed, and living as a separated dot in a blind universe
Keywords
Logic - Rational - Science - Organization - Mental fear - Control - Ego - Democracy - Suffering - Drama - Money - Security - Art - Happiness - Wanting - Time - Separation - Materialism - Nations.
We have achieved remarkable things—creating masterpieces of art, securing individual rights, and embracing personal freedom. The material quality of life has improved dramatically over time. Yet, the price of this progress has been very high: separation, imbalance, confusion, and massive destruction.
We now live as isolated beings in what often feels like an indifferent universe. Our relentless pursuit of something better has left us as mere shadows of our true selves. We rush from one moment to the next, chasing happiness, but only finding fleeting glimpses of it.
Suffering, drama, and madness have become our daily companions—not because of the advancements we've made, but because we are trapped at this stage of evolution. We have gained so much, but lost the sense of balance, connection, and meaning that grounds us.
Disconnection / Separation
Material realities / Control
National identity / Money
Historical
This stage represents a quantum leap, enabling unprecedented progress in an incredibly short period. In just 250 years, we have reshaped both the world and ourselves in dramatic and extreme ways.
Historically, this shift began roughly 500 years ago with the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. Over the following 300 years, we laid the groundwork for the radical transformation into modern society. Today, we accomplish feats that, not long ago, would have been considered miracles—or heresies deserving punishment. On the surface, it may seem that we live in the best world humanity has ever known (at least in the West). However, when we look deeper, we see that the price we—and the Earth—pay is disproportionate to the progress achieved.
For most of human history, we existed as part of something greater. But with the emergence of the Personal Level, we declared ourselves the center of the world. This led to the trap of human-centrism, a fundamentally flawed paradigm—humans on one side, and everything else on the other. This worldview disconnected us from nature. Science reduced life to blind energy, the body to a machine, the heart to a mere pump, disease to an enemy. Security became the new religion, and money became God.
In recent decades, our disconnection from nature has grown so extreme that confusion, depression, apathy, and nihilism have become the new normal.
Fiction—the stories we tell ourselves—has become so powerful that most people have no idea what is truly happening or who they really are. Modern life is plagued by a pandemic of meaninglessness, making security and control as the mayor guiding forces.
Getting stuck at this Level of Consciousness leads directly to self-destruction. By failing to fully harness the tools and potential of this level, we have turned nature against ourselves.
The pattern is clear: any species that disrespects the natural balance will ultimately be swept away.
Historically, we seem to be heading toward a point where nature may declare, "It’s over. Goodbye, humans."
This sounds terrifying—and it is—but it also presents an incredible opportunity. We now have the chance to rewrite history and evolve into Integral humans.
Identity
At the Pre-Personal level, we still perceive ourselves as part of the world, integrated into something greater than ourselves. We have a place in the grand chain of existence. However, at the Personal level, this connection is lost. We now exist as isolated individuals, like separate dots in a blind, and indifferent universe.
We become entangled in the stories we create about life, and life itself becomes merely an obstacle to achieving our goals and dreams. In the process, we lose touch with nature, with other people, with our bodies, and with our own inner selves.
Despite the immense progress humanity has made, we should, in theory, be happier than ever before. Yet the opposite is true. We rush from one crisis to the next, hopping from one therapy to another (without undermining the value of therapy itself). We buy things we don’t need, elect leaders who work against our interests, and cling to the illusion that the future will somehow deliver what the present moment denies us.
Of course, there are moments of light—moments when life aligns with our desires or when we briefly connect with higher levels of consciousness. But these moments are few and fleeting.
At this level, we experience life as something external, something that happens to us. It has become common to say, "I have a life," as if life is something we can possess, like a house, a car, or an ice cream. Our identity becomes wrapped up in the stories we tell ourselves (our thoughts, emotions) or the narratives others have constructed for us.
At the Personal level, we also confront the inescapable reality of our own death. Without a religious or spiritual framework—such as belief in heaven, reincarnation, or self-realisation—this realization is terrifying. Everything we do, everything we own, everything we are feels meaningless in the face of life's end.
This stage of development can be compared to adolescence—a necessary bridge between childhood and adulthood, but disastrous if it lasts an entire lifetime.
The mantra of this level is "I WANT." The personal identity behaves like a child in a supermarket, constantly demanding more sweets. As long as we identify with this level—the ego, the personal self, or the shadow of the ego—our lives will remain caught in endless drama.
At this level, no lasting solution to our inner turmoil can be found. Only by advancing to higher levels of consciousness can we transcend this personal drama.
End of part one, part two is coming soon
Footnote
1 - Frans de Waal "The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society". Cynthia Moss "Elephant Memories: Thirteen Years in the Life of an Elephant Family." Shane G. Macpherson "Biology Letters". K. C. Balcomb and A. T. Peterson "Marine Mammal Science".
2 - In their study ‘Mirror self-recognition in the bottlenose dolphin: A case of cognitive convergence’, Diana Reiss and Lori Marino explain how the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) passed the mirror test.
3 - Gordon Gallup Jr's seminal work (1970) on the study of self-consciousness in animals. In his paper ‘Chimpanzees: Self-Recognition’, he observed that chimpanzees recognised themselves in the mirror and attempted to remove markings on their bodies that they could only see in the mirror.
4 - Plotnik, de Waal and Reiss (2006):** In the study ‘Self-recognition in an Asian elephant’, Joshua M. Plotnik and colleagues showed that Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) pass the mirror test.
5 - The study by Prior, Schwarz and Güntürkün (2008) ‘Mirror-induced behaviour in the magpie (Pica pica): evidence of self-recognition’ proved that they also passed the mirror test. This is all the more remarkable as they are birds and not mammals.
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