The Pivotal Shift in Human Consciousness
From Conventional to Post-Conventional Meaning-Making
According to Ego Developmental theory, the arc of human development progresses towards an increasingly nuanced understanding of self, others, and the world. The first half of the arc maps the pre-conventional & conventional stages which track a human's development from a fully dependent newborn to an increasingly differentiated and independent adult.
While it is estimated that 80% of people never move beyond the conventional stages with the right conditions some humans experience a pivotal shift into post-conventional meaning-making. Before this shift, our lives are primarily about knowledge accumulation, identity construction, and gaining independence.
As we move into post-conventional stages, our priorities shift toward wisdom cultivation, identity deconstruction, and deepening interdependence. There is an increased ability to recognize and question assumptions, beliefs, and social conditioning. Whereas prior our thinking followed linear reasoning there is now some capacity to hold a systems view which enables us to analyze and compare whole systems of thoughts.
It can be easy to assume that later stages of human development are better than earlier ones but it’s more about optimal fit. Certain ways of operating will be more effective in some environments and less effective in others.
Imagine a scientific materialist working in a traditionalist church or an environmental activist working in a cutthroat hedge fund. Neither of these examples represents a good fit between meaning-making and vocation.
The post-conventional shift can make navigating the world more difficult. We are more likely to feel like a misfit or an outsider and find that fewer people share our emerging interests. There can be an increasing aversion to doing meaningless work. We may begin to crave embodied and heartfelt ways of relating which are rare in the conventional world. For some, this can also be the start of a spiritual life which can seem to conflict with the practicalities of our everyday life.
How do you know if you’ve gone or are going through the post-conventional shift?
The following are some signs that you may be going through the post-conventional shift.
You are beginning to question your assumptions, beliefs, and social conditioning
You are becoming less certain about what is true and what is real
You are starting to recognize the limits of reason and linear thinking
You are becoming increasingly skeptical that science and technology can solve all our problems
You are becoming less concerned with external achievement and more concerned with internal development.
You are becoming increasingly interested in understanding emotions in yourself and others
You are becoming less interested in consumerism and frivolous spending
You are no longer satisfied with conventional forms of success (money & fame)
You are becoming conscious of intellectualization and rationalization as defensive strategies
My goal with Insighter is to support people going through the post-conventional shift.
I strive to do this by:
Providing frameworks that can help you better understand and work with your inner experience
Facilitating one-on-one coaching/inner work sessions that can help you untangle conflicts and discover deeper levels of truth, meaning, and wholeness in your life
Building a community of people who are experiencing similar shifts and committed to inner work practices
Connecting you with resources, teachers, and other communities that support humans moving into post-conventional meaning-making
If you want help with navigating the post-conventional shift you can apply for coaching/inner work sessions with me here.
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