STAGES (OR KINGDOMS) OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT The Evolution of Consciousness*
Developed by Rev. Michael Beckwith, D.D., of Agape International Center.
Stage One: (Life is happening) TO ME:
Victim consciousness. God is outside of me making things happen in my life – testing, rewarding and punishing me. Life appears governed by external forces. I feel powerless. “Why does this always happen to me?” NO WILL
To evolve, I must give up Blame, Shame, and belief in being a Victim
Stage Two: (Life is happening) TO IT, BY ME:
As I evolve from victimhood, I release blame, shame, and guilt. I learn that God is within me and there is a law that I can use to effect changes and claim dominion over my life. I use the law effectively. I feel powerful. Visualization, affirmations, and treasure-mapping are commonly used in Stage Two; effective treatment for specifics. “I can control my thoughts and my life.” MY WILL
To evolve, I must give up Control and the illusion of Power.
Stage Three (Life is happening) THROUGH ME:
Continuing to evolve, I let go of control. I have learned to establish dominion over my life and have built strong life structures for myself. Now I realize that there is more to life than this. I surrender to Spirit and let It use me. As I surrender to the indwelling Presence, It operates through me. I become Its instrument. It might be noted here that, if I don’t willingly surrender, Spirit will give me a little push, or perhaps a big shove, if that is necessary. I surrender; I am a vessel, a vehicle through which Spirit speaks/acts. “It is not I, but the Father within that does the work.” Visioning is natural at this point in our evolution. THY WILL.
To evolve, I must release vestiges of ego and separation and any residual belief that there is “another.”
Stage Four (Life is happening) AS ME:
I release the last vestiges of separation and realize complete identification with God. I know that I am It. Jesus was in this stage when he said, “When they see me, they see He that sent me,” and “I and my Father are one.” We are now transparencies for the Christ and have moved from knowing the truth to being the Truth. Mine is the Divine/Mystical Mind, at One with Spirit. I AM It. UNITY.
Note: Realization/arrival at these stages is ongoing; we move back and forth through the “kingdoms” and they represent our ongoing spiritual work.