Discovering Yourself on a Spiritual Journey of 8 Stages
People can start their mental growth journey in several different ways. A writer and sage named Jim Marion wrote an insightful book called “Putting on the Mind of Christ: The Inner Work of Christian Spirituality” that talks about one of these paths. Marion describes eight deep stages of spiritual development and personal growth, making her book a complete guide for people who want to grow on the inside.
1. The Old-fashioned Minds of Children
The first stage, which is called “archaic,” lasts until the third year of a child’s life. During this time, babies try to connect with their bodies and separate themselves from their moms and other physical things.
2. The magical state of mind of kids
A child’s mind starts to split from their physical experiences around the age of two. This is the start of a new spiritual development phase. At this point, a child may find it hard to tell the difference between what’s in their thoughts and what’s going on around them.
3. Mythic Consciousness – Before Teenage Years
The mythical level of awareness lasts from the age of seven to the age of sixteen. This stage is the start of mental levels of awareness. This is when kids start to figure out their worth by following rules and taking on roles.
4. Consciousness-Based on Reason
The rational stage is everyday consciousness. The most important spiritual job of adolescence is making the change from mythic to rational consciousness. Problems happen when religious groups don’t want to understand this change, which stops teens from coming to a logical conclusion.
5. Seeing Logic Being Aware
A Vision There are three stages of awareness. The highest is logical consciousness. More and more people are moving into this higher state. But fanatics who hold on to mythical levels of awareness are against it.
6. The ability to be psychic
In psychic awareness, the connection with the inner witness grows and goes beyond the senses. As a person move into this stage, they become more aware of things that aren’t related to their five senses.
7. Subtle Mind Awareness
The subtle level, which is the second-to-last stage, represents the final connection to one’s personality. Moving into this stage gives you a feeling of rebirth, integration, and alignment with universal ideals, which helps you become spiritually and mentally whole.
8. The Level of Cause
The eighth stage, causal awareness, is when you realize that you are divine in a way that goes beyond your personality. People feel emotionally warm and reorganized, and they have a deep sense of inner peace. This makes the whole a peaceful and well-functioning whole.
Final Thoughts: Spiritual Development
Jim Marion’s spiritual guidebook, “Putting on the Mind of Christ,” takes you on an eight-stage journey that will change your life. Each stage of self-discovery, from the pure awareness of ancient times to the divinely realized causal level, pulls back the threads of the fabric. Marion’s guide stresses that these steps are not accomplishments but rather reflections of our natural beauty. As we move through this mental landscape, the journey itself becomes the goal, as our awareness keeps growing. May this guide motivate and enlighten people, inspiring them to accept their spiritual development essence and see the endless beauty inside. Also, you are leading to a peaceful and enlightened life.
To sum up, these steps of spiritual development are not goals to be reached; instead, they are a way to become more aware of who you are. This wise book by Jim Marion tells people to enjoy their spiritual journey and see the beauty that is already inside them.