The 17 Levels of Consciousness: Why Are 'Angry People' Always Angry?
— Recognizing fear and anger is the first step toward growth
What is the time we waste most in our daily lives?
It is spending time on things we cannot control.
For example, creating an image of a 'useless self' and then feeling angry or depressed about that version of yourself.
Or, holding anger toward others whom you cannot control. Constantly judging the reality unfolding before you as 'good' or 'bad,' and letting your emotions be swayed.
Continuing to spend time and energy on these things is, in the end, a great waste.
And here is the important point: the emotions that arise during these times are not accidental. They occur repeatedly within a certain pattern.
To understand that pattern and 'visualize' what is happening inside ourselves, we utilize the '17 Levels of Consciousness'.
What are the levels of consciousness?
The 17 levels of consciousness is a framework based on the research of David Hawkins.
It organizes the states of human consciousness into 17 levels, from lowest to highest.
The lower levels of consciousness include states such as shame, guilt, apathy, grief, fear, desire, anger, and pride.
The higher levels of consciousness include states such as courage, neutrality, willingness, acceptance, reason, love, joy, peace, and enlightenment.
What is important here is that the lower levels of consciousness are not 'bad'.
Fear, anger, and pride are all natural human emotions. There is no need to deny them in themselves.
The problem is being swayed by those emotions without realizing which level of consciousness you are currently in.
The boundary between 'force' and 'power'
The distinction between 'force' and 'power' that I have repeatedly mentioned in this series actually corresponds to these 17 levels of consciousness.
The lower levels of consciousness, from shame to anger and pride, are the domain of **force (a power pushed from the outside)**.
When in this domain, people act in reaction to external events. Acting because you feel angry at someone. Acting to escape from fear. Acting to protect your pride.
Everything is a 'reaction'; while it may seem like you are choosing for yourself, you are actually being swayed by external factors.
On the other hand, the levels of consciousness from courage and above are in the realm of **power (the force that wells up from within)**.
When in this realm, people choose their actions from within themselves. They move based on the desire to 'do this' or 'be this way.' They are not swayed by external events and can make choices based on their own will.
The boundary between force and power lies at the level of 'courage'.
Even while in fear, you take a step forward. In that moment, you transition from the realm of force to the realm of power.
Becoming aware of unconscious 'reaction patterns'
Our daily lives are actually full of unconscious reaction patterns.
You get irritated when your boss says something. That might be a reaction at the level of anger.
You are afraid of failure and cannot take a step toward something new. That might be because you are at the level of fear.
You feel that 'you are right' and cannot listen to the other person's opinion. That might be at the level of pride.
These reactions occur automatically in most cases. Before you even have time to think, your emotions move and you act. And later, you regret it, wondering, 'Why did I say that?'
When you have the 17 levels of consciousness as a common language, you become able to 'notice' these automatic reactions.
'Oh, I am at the level of anger right now.' 'This judgment is coming from fear.' 'My pride is getting in the way, and I am not listening with an open mind.'
The moment you notice, a little distance is created. You can take a breath before the automatic reaction switch is flipped.
This is what it means to 'make the unconscious conscious.'
Levels of consciousness can be 'chosen'
This is the most important point of this framework.
Levels of consciousness are not fixed.They are something you can choose.
When you realize, 'I am in fear right now,' you can choose to stay in fear, or you can choose courage.
When you realize, 'Anger is welling up right now,' you can choose to give in to that anger, or you can accept it once and move to a neutral perspective.
If you don't notice it, you cannot choose it. But if you notice it, you can choose.
This is what it means to use the 17 levels of consciousness as a 'tool' rather than just 'knowledge'.
Application in Morning Meetings and Coaching
We actually use these levels of consciousness in our daily lives.
In our morning meetings, we set aside time to check in on 'what level of consciousness I am starting from today'.
'I have a bit of anxiety today, so I am at the level of fear.' 'I had something good happen yesterday, so I am at the level of willingness.' 'Honestly, I don't know what it's directed at, but I am feeling anger.'
We share these things without judgment. Being at the level of fear is not bad. Feeling anger is not a mistake. We simply put our current state into words and share it with the team.
That alone brings your unconscious into consciousness. And team members can also understand, 'Oh, that person is in that state today.' Unnecessary friction is reduced, and necessary consideration arises naturally.
In 1-on-1 coaching, we dig a little deeper.
'What are you feeling that anger toward?' 'What is really behind that fear?' 'If you were to choose again from the level of courage, what would you choose?'
Through these questions, members notice their own internal patterns and repeat the training of 'choosing' their level of consciousness.
The Power Gained at Work Applies to Life
Here, there is one more important perspective.
When viewed from the broad perspective of life, both work and private life are merely parts of life.
That is precisely why the 'ability to see oneself objectively' acquired at work is applied directly to one's private life.
A person who has become able to notice, 'I am at the level of fear right now' at work can use the same power at home. When you are about to become emotional in your relationship with your partner. When you are about to get frustrated with your children. Just by noticing, 'Oh, I am at the level of anger right now,' your reaction changes.
Conversely, the insights and objectivity gained in private life also naturally come into play at work.
This is the concrete form of what we call 'work-life synergy.' Instead of separating work and life, the power gained in either can be applied to the other. Your entire life becomes a field for growth.
While accepting everything, little by little
Finally, there is one more thing I would like to add.
When learning about the 17 levels of consciousness, some people feel the pressure that they 'must always be at a high level of consciousness.'
But that is not the case.
Feeling fear or experiencing anger is natural for a human being. Everything, including the good and what we perceive as bad, is part of life.
What is important is to accept each of these things without denying them, while gradually understanding yourself.
Just realizing that 'I am in fear right now' is already a step toward growth. You are definitely further ahead than you were before you realized it.
Making the unconscious conscious does not mean becoming a perfect human being.
It means noticing what is happening inside you and then choosing your next step with your own will.
The accumulation of those small choices leads to a freer and more flexible way of living.
Live Our Journeys: There are no impossible dreams; let's obtain the life we desire.
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