Man is this and that, and much more

Man is this and that, and much more – Pulin Garg

A study of the evolution of the human psyche

In this post, I explore the work of Clare Graves, which was furthered by Beck and Cowan, and built upon by Ken Wilber. All of this is within the realm of Developmental Psychology and Human & Social Psychology.  Finally, I will come to the work by Ashok Malhotra and his postulates as propounded in his work on Existential Universal Mapper. All of these works have taken inspiration from Abraham Maslow.

For long, man has explored some fundamental questions:

1.  Why do we behave in the way we do?

2.  How do we engage with effectiveness with diverse groups that have values in polarities to ours.

3.  How do we recognise our own blind spots and opportunities to enliven self and reduce psychological wastes.

4. Finally, how do we find coherence, resonance and celebration with plurality, multiplicities both in self and systems. 

A western perspective

According to the western thinker’s the psyche has a particular ‘path forward’ which is not reversible. It is in an evolution of stages or levels, non- hierarchical, not ‘better than’ and postulate that each stage contains all the fractals of the earlier stages. 

For example, the dialogue on abortion, could be at three levels:

èAbortion -> yes (because I believe in this)

è No – against my belief 

èyes – under certain circumstances,  a view a directionality in which the psyche evolves

Stage 3, incorporates both stage 1 and stage 2.

During 1950 Clare Graves went about Interviewing graduates to determine what are their current values they hold about themselves (self-view) and their world (world-view).

He discovered a pattern, that evolves. Beck in Spiral Dynamics shared 7 stages / layers. 

In each paragraph I have  confirmed the predominant focus– ie Self or Systems (The other).

While habiting a level, there could be denial of the elements or over-engagement. Every level leads to a transformational dilemma, which creates evocation to the next level. 

1.    Beige– Basic Organisation Survival – animalistic (Babies / Infants / Mentally ill / Senile) Each stage has a transformational dilemma. (I need others for self to survive and thrive). Focus here is on self.

2.    Purple– Magic & Tribal (ethnic tribes – 15 to 100 people) – The world is a mysterious place, danger from other tribes. You are a unit of a tribe (The Army) / the Witch doctor. Here there is in-group and out-groups. Belonginess and Safety are the elements in this level. 

What is theTransformational Dilemma? – You have to let go off the tribe. A search for individuation, for self – ego centric power

3.    Red– This is a stage of Egocentric power – focus on self. Fight for physical resources disregard for rules (Gang leader, Mafia, Dictator).  Transformational Dilemma – impulsive thinking, immediate gratification, not sustainable backfires after a while, and yearning for beyond. 

You usually don’t recognise which LEVELyou are in.   One stage fights with the next. There is No Good / Bad Stage – Non Judgemental.  You will need to live through each stage to move to the next. 

4.    Blue: Absolutist, Conformist view, Civilisation                                               

Tradition, Obedience, Rule of Law, Good / Devil        

Good / Evil, Absolute Truth exists, Cultural Monism 

Not Pluralistic, Cultural Superiority. Simple rational & logical categories. Emphasis is on sacrificing and protecting yourself from other heathen civilisation.  This is the dominant psyche / value.  Tradition is important.  May come across as rigid, dogmatic, crazy or criminal.  While looking back, contempt for previous stage.  Islamic world is one example of Blue , Taliban in Afghanistan another example.

5.    Orange– Individualism – Success and Science                                

Material abundance and comfort and use of Science / technology

Value Liberty and freedom.  Rise of Business / Economy / Corporations stock markets. Red-Ego “I will kill you” kind of ego.  Orange will manipulate (Scam /white-collar crime) Business exploitation, wall street type exploitation.  Subtle manipulation.  Corporates working for OE tasks.  Scientist fighting for truth, funded by Business.  Corrupt politicians exist.  Selfishness, self-vested, lobbying for tax reliefs. Materialism does not get you happiness,  Your selfishness is also hurting other people.  These are the transformation dilemmas of this stage

6.    Green– Relationistic, caring & communistic, rejection of shallow materialisation

We must recognise validity of other cultures, support the poor, unions, associations.  Protect the Environment / Animal species.  You care more about the feelings of others / and other communities. Democratic / New-agers / liberal groups / spiritual / Hippies / Emotional Group / Care Bearers – are good examples

Transformation dilemma: Overly idealistic – just caring is not enough. Heart alone will not solve for this. No solution appears in sight.  

Your circle of concerns continues to expand

Tier 1 -------- Tier 2 takes place now. Tier 2, is a markedly significant shift.

Here unlike tier 1, in tier 2, all worlds earlier are co-held not subsumed. 

7.    Yellow– Systemic thinking – Many shades of grey.  There is No absolute truth.  World problems are systemic / are structured evolved.  Ecology, How do we solve world’s problems? Say Africa (Red) Islam (Blue), Europe (Orange).  High value on competencies.  Yellow is a tiny percentage of the population, high level of personal development. “Space Cadet” – in space as seen by Orange / Blue.  They look confused.  Yellow sees everything as a perspective.  Yellow is “chill & cool”. Yellow knows there is a something more to transcend too Adam Pagan(blends rational & emotion).  Ken Weber (meta perspectives) Transformational Dilemma – Stuck in one’s own head                                     

8.    Turquoise– Global rational, intuitive & emotional, judgement free, but responsible

We may all want to skip steps – Blue may believe they are green

                                                     - Red may think they are orange

            In reality, we exists in all stages in parallel.

                                

Level 1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8

You want to ‘up’ all of these.  Also you cannot skip any stages.  The problem is which layer you are on is unknown to self, contempt for the lower stage, and absence of knowledge of the above level

Good framework to become aware that these stages exist, There is a directionality.  Also, what kind of organisation do you work for.  Even companies follow this evolution.  The world is evolving and leaving other stages behind.

Absolutism – No absolute truth, but a collection of perspectives that takes extreme open mindedness both socially and personally. Dogmas – “Beliefs in your beliefs” is what is holding you back.

In today’s post-modern era,  all stages are coming together as being co-held ‘in the mind’ and allowing for embracing the multiplicities and pluralities. More can be read, in works by Ken Wilber. Ken Wilber argues it needs just 10 pc of people to be in this mindset, to allow for dramatic change to occur.  

Having shared this western perspective, which almost always sees things in a sequence ( examples in dance ballet, music, designs, etc)the Indian perspective is circular (music, etc) with emergence and re-emergence. 

An Indian Perspective

I now explore the work of Ashok Malhotra and his framework as provided under Existential Universal Mapper. 

It is a framework, not a ‘psychometric) which:

a.     Has language beyond behavior, more like symbols

b.    Non – reductionist

c.     Empowering

d.    Enlivens the plural parts

e.    Supports awareness of symbols.

f.     No should, musts and oughts.

g.    Not teleological, but evolutionary, directional but not better than. No arrival to destination.

h.    Having a resonance, coherence and celebration with each world.

i.       No, ‘now I am integrated’ – but a dynamic flow of human consciousness. 

The tool, does not ‘box’ you nor does it focus on behavior. It shares what elements of each Universe is lit or lies dim within, and without judgement. It describes the self in a flow, like a river, with the flowing river, never being the same, and where the context plays a huge role.

* an example of evolutionary not teleological (The four asramas are:Brahmacharya (student), Grihastha (householder),Vanaprastha (retired) and Sannyasa (renunciate). 

The purpose is for exploration and:

1.     Acceptance of oneself and one’s situation – examine the phenomena “As it Is’

2.     Support enhancing of the fluidity of the self, which gets frozen as we grow up.

To always remember in the words of Pulin Garg, “I am this, and I am that, and much more”. 

Finally, to attain Simultaneity in Self and Systems. To experience one’s mandala evolving. Each of us is a constellation, a music in the eternal music of the existential dance of Leela. Ashok confirms what Clare Graves posited, that there was no point studying people piece meal. Rather there is a need to understand him as a composite. While Grave calls it levels, Beck, a spiral, at EUM Ashok calls it Universe. Its configuration together creates a constellation. The whole constellation is to be seen together: this is where there is marked departure with all the work shared above and that propounded by Ashok.

Ashok postulates six universes that are simultaneous and non-hierarchal and that exists together within the self. We all give meaning to who we are, who we wish to be, and who others are and are not with our own authenticity. Our EUM is where we are, allowing for reflexivity and further exploration of self. We are both unique and we are also like most others.

Here are some notes on the Universes:

1.     Universe of Belonging and Protection (Clan, in organisation terms

                                               i.     Safe haven of belongness and safety

                                              ii.     Strong bonding with kith/kin

                                             iii.     Oneness with groups, values,  

2.    Universe of Strength and Desire ( I am somebody, Arena in Org)

                                               i.     Prominence, power and recognition. 

                                              ii.     Intuition may come from here.

3.    Universe of Roles and Boundaries (Clarity of Expectations, Clockwork in org)

                                               i.     Being appropriate, seeking order and stability, sees things in black and white, people with me or against me.

                                              ii.     They are quite dependable, in process driven organization they would be very effective. Usually, they can be very facilitative, unless they are highly dogmatic. 

                                             iii.     Be willing to be accountable and will hold others to be accountable.

                                             iv.     High procedure driven – comfortable with hierarchy pattern

                                              v.     Army folks fall in this, new technology companies fall out of this.

4.    Universe of Purpose and Achievement (enlightened self interest, mutual benefit, Network in Organisation)

a.     High process orientation (focus on workflow w/o hierarchy), need for mutual dependence, relationships. 

5.    Universe of Meaningfulness and Intimacy(Towards Fulfilment & Relatedness, Ecology in Organisation)

                                               i.     On quality of life, be it inclusion and diversity

6.    Universe of Duality and Simultaneity ( Polarities Co-exist, Co-holding; Holon in Organisation)

                                               i.     Co-holding the pluralism and multiplicity
                                            ii. Existential ambivalence 

Ashok confirms that this does have resonance with Chakras, as articulated by Aurobindu.


So how does Universe aid our understanding of the human psyche. One must necessarily assimilate the full qualities of the universe: lessons learnt, not learnt in each of the universe.

For example in UBP, one needs to put down roots and have trusts.
In USD, there will be playfulness and zest. If the experience has not been able to foster trust, then in USD, there would be reactivity, anger that would get activated as a consequence.

For some Universes, the 'loudness' of one Universe may render other Universes mute. 

If USD is not assimilated, Projecting onto others or passive aggression may occur.

Learnt or otherwise, the self will move from one universe to another.

EUM focuses on the interaction of all Universes seen together - the constellation.


Does the experience of self create a dominant/significant impact? 

We are both Nature and Nurture. Our experiences influence the universes we are moving through, and unresolved issues will doggedly show up. Yet, we will continue to move in the evolution, carrying baggage of 'learnt and unlearnt'.


How is Karma and Transcendence aligned with this, if at all?

The karma of this life is within EUM. As far as transcendence is concerned, if universes are fully imbibed, it will flow into the succeeding universe.

Essentially, EUM is about holding the system in the mind: the reality and a projection too. EUM is the image in the mirror, and the looking at the mirror too. EUM supports self awareness, it is not about self improvement. Self is not an object (a noun), it is a dynamic, evolving self, and it has fluidity. Unblocking the fluidity is the role/functionality of Coaching.



EUM focus not on self reflection, but on self reflexivity: what is the nature of the mirror, and the screen within: ie: the lens through which the phenomenon occurs. This screen or lens is what you have 'taken in', and also what the self projects. Both introjected and internalised.

EUM opens multiple choices and opportunities: expands the vision, and within, and in the environment. 



Through a simple questionnaire, Ashok enquires off respondent: 

·       Perceptions of who I am 

·       My idealized self

·       My worldview

All three worlds are configured together, to create a living system, living and evolving. Not an assessment tool, nor a measure. There is no bright or dark side. Its purpose is to allow for a dialogue and exploration.

Significant differences in approach to other works: 

1.     The framework looks at human beings from a non-reductionist perspectiveand always at a system level. It triggers reflexivity (not just reflective as looking in the mirror). It’s about looking in the mirror as well as the mirror itself. A light reflects light for example. It allows us to reflect and allow for changes. Reflexivity is the discovery of my paradigms of reflection. How we reflect can be a bias itself. ‘All animals are equal, some are more equal than others.’ – could be a reflective world view. Every time you look at yourself through a framework, say masculine and feminine, there are assumptions. When you question the framework itself, that’s reflexivity. You start with questioning the basic assumption itself. This is about creating the mirror and reviewing the mirror itself. 

2.     It integrates ‘indianness’ beyond the consumer. (homo-economics – value to client). Indians are much better in co-holding the polarities, and comfortable with stances that are different to ‘Either/ Or’. It treats and works with living systems. 

Foundational axioms:

1.     Pluralism – can multiple cells within us dialogue. Discovering truth about oneself is only one of many ways. There is no ‘one reality’, there are many. 

2.    Not Teleological – human existence is about greater good, as an evolutionary good.  EUM does not make this point. There is no virtue unless lower levels are met and addressed. Yet there is no hierarchy. Why do Giraffes have long necks? To evolve during evolution. But long necks by itself, is not a sign of progress – that’s a non-teleological approach. If we say we all have to rise to a higher being. There is evolution but no hierarchy. 

3.    Holon – the parts and the whole. We are complete and yet part of the whole. When not aligned it creates restlessness. Plastic ban – for ecology, part – business interest of small businessmen in conflict. 

4.    We tend to look at ourselves in relations to a ‘reference group’. It is human to look at ourselves to a group – identification or counter identification. We have a general picture of the other. We compare and contrast ourselves with others. And a generalized picture of the other. Identification and distinctiveness and these are usually embedded in feelings. 

5.     Light and Shadow – multiplicities and plurality – some bright, some repressed. That part which is denied or repressed, cast it shadow or leaks into the forefront. Desire, Love and Courage (a Universe, etc). Some of us may not be working with this universe. Very stoic or professional (cold). What are we doing with our bright universe. At work, which of these universes that I deny, and which is a shadow? These are some of the many explorations in EUM.

Needs and behavior – say I need safety and belonginess. That represents one part of me. Another universe could be courage of the warrior. If the first is in the shadow. However, my warrior (which is in light) will create safety and belong, by groups of warriors in the next universe. 

There are six universes. And there is no hierarchy. All six universes reside within us. Some of it is lit, some is in shadow. Making the invisible, visible, articulating, the inarticulate, own the disowned, act the withheld.

In EUM, its is not about, "what you are, and what you are not", like traditional psychometric. The self is not seen as a Noun; rather in EUM, the self is seen as a verb. It is propositional not normative.
You are not 'this' or 'that', but it is the context that activates the self.  
In other words, there is no specific identification, however that said, there are underlying patterns. There is no judgement, but there is scope for dialogue.


For example, a river has a pattern of its own (its internal momentum) as also in terms of context (the environment outside) seeking an equilibrium.

Every situation is unique: given a phenomenological occurrence, the self pattern can be 'withdrawing' or 'adversarial' or 'placative' and the response would differ. 



The report also allows exploration and insights on:

1.     What energises us

2.     Relationships with people

3.     Relationships with systems

4.     Decision making and Conflict Resolution

5.     Managing Change 

6.     Derailers

Object of View--à                       INTERNAL.                                  EXTERNAL

| Location of Subject|

V 

INSIDE                                           Self Concept                                 World View

(self-narrative).         (interpretation of experiences and quality)

OUTSIDE                                Patterns of Relatedness                   Objective Context

                                                                                            (systems, technology and structure)

Conceptually, the underlying perspectives are of human beings and organizations as holons. All holons have an inside and an outside. Also the inside and outside can be viewed from within the holon or from an external location. 

This can be visualized as follows: 

Self Concept:This is derived essentially through a narrative of the self.

World View:This is the story of the world derived from one’s interpretation of one’s experience of the world and has the quality of looking at the world of Patterns of Relatedness: This is understood through exploring the image of Objective Context:The context in which the living system is located comprising systems, technology, structures, and the broader macroeconomic and sociocultural trends. 


EUM can support recruitment, Talent Assessment and Leadership Development, Group Dynamics, Inclusion and Diversity.
EUM does not 'box' but will reveal under what context a person will respond. 

EUM is a very Indian tool, not a psychometric but explores common human issues with significant differences. It is awfully simple.

It carries Satyam, Shivam and Sundaram. 

Hats off to Ashok, for a Simple tool, that is unbelievably valid to an exploration of post modernism man. 

For more details on EUM Visit:

https://coacharya.com/blog/eum-existential-universe-mapper/