What Is Spiral Dynamics
And How Can It Help You?

Spiral Dynamics, a theory of personal and social development, popularized by American philosopher Ken Wilbur, was introduced in the book Spiral Dynamics in 1996 by Don Beck and Chris Cowan.

It originated from the theory of Clare W. Graves, a psychology professor who argued that humans adapted to their environment and life conditions by constructing complex conceptual models to cope with emerging problems.

These conceptual models were organized around memes, thought seeds that influenced minds in a culture. They transmitted core values and influenced both individuals and groups. Memes, self-propagating ideas, affecting both micro-and macro systems, were explained through a spectrum of colors.

The Color Spectrum Of Spiral Dynamics

Purple is the color for tribalism. A person in purple seeks to conform to the needs of the tribe. Shamans and medicine men guide this color, their visions shaping the tribe. This meme originated in 50,000 BC.

Red is the color for unbridled egoism. A person in red seeks to satisfy desires without guilt or shame. The top dogs in this color are the gang leaders. The Vikings were in the red color zone. This meme originated in 7,000 BC.

Blue is the color for authoritarianism. A person in blue seeks to sacrifice self for the rewards earned from showing obedience. Now shamans and medicine men have transformed into priests and politicians. (Interestingly, corporate cultures like Wal-Mart appear to really like this color. Their signs are predominately in blue and their employees wear blue.) This meme originated in 3,000 BC.

Orange is the color for high achievers, inventors and activists. Scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs can be found in this color. A person in orange seeks to improve a society through demonstrating originality or excellence. People like Nikola Tesla and Albert Einstein were part of this color. This meme originated in 1,000 AD.

Green is the color for altruism and egalitarianism. A person in green seeks to sacrifice personal interest for group harmony and welfare. Here the self-sacrifice is not coerced as in tribalism and authoritarianism; it is motivated by love, not fear. A person in green sees all beings as one and seeks to serve the greater good. This meme originated in 1850 AD.

Two new memes, according to Spiral Dynamics, are now emerging, birthed in modern times, where there has been a shift from survival-oriented living to being-oriented living. These two memes, sometimes referred to as “tier 2 memes” are yellow and turquoise.

Yellow is the color for both personal mastery and social harmony. A person in yellow seeks to rise up to a higher standard and take society with him. Here self-interest is harmoniously blended with altruism. An example is Bill Gates who made billions promoting software for personal computers then became the biggest philanthropist in the world. This meme originated in 1950.

Turquoise is the color where the society appears to sacrifice itself for the good of its members. Currently, this color is expressed by charitable groups who seek to help others, like Habitat for Humanity. This meme is still emerging and originated in the 1970s.

Three Ways To Use Spiral Dynamics To Evolve

Seek A Transcendent Vision

What is your highest vision for your life and for the world? By defining clear goals and taking constructive action to improve your own life and contribute to the well-being of humanity and the earth, you will be lifted up by your higher vision, transcending current limitations.

Practice Unconditional Love

Often unconditional love is shaped by by our own suffering, and sometimes it arises because of the remorse we feel over having inflicted suffering on others.

The latter is what happened to Conner Duran.

During the current Iraq War, he was in charge of a group of soldiers who would search villages in search of “terrorists.” They would go from door to door, terrifying the villagers, ransacking their homes, wrecking their furniture, shattering their windows, smashing their clay cookware, and desecrating their valuables. They did this whether or not they found anybody or anything suspicious.

One day, to their surprise, they broke into a humble village home that had an inner courtyard with a beautiful garden, a wonder in the desert clime. It was a home obviously tended with a gentle love. Nevertheless, Duran ordered his troops to smash everything they could find. Pulling out a shovel from his backpack, he himself began to ruin the carefully cultivated garden by digging it up.

While they were at work, one of the doors opened and a frail, old man came out carrying a tray of tea and cakes and pastries. Honoring, the Middle Eastern tradition to welcome guests, he invited Duran and his men to partake of the meal. While they ate, he asked them about their families and the progress of their lives. His amiable conversation and gentle questions did not betray a hint of animosity over the annihilation of all his earthly belongings.

After returning to the United States, Conner Duran made it his mission to bike around the country talking about the need for world peace and the practice of unconditional love. He made the shift from the red color, the color of ruthless gangs, to the green color, the color of altruism.

Live From A Place Of Profound Idealism

Something is birthed in us when we reach for a higher vision of ourselves and our place in the world. Moreover, we seek to become a beneficial presence on the planet when our heart is touched with unconditional love. Empowered with high ideals, we seek the well-being of all sentient beings.

When we embrace profound idealism, everything changes for us: we react to the world not by what is happening in it but by what is happening within us. We see others as ourselves--seeking to help, not hurt. And we choose to express the highest principles we know.

Return from Spiral Dynamics to Self Growth