{"id":13071,"date":"2020-04-21T10:10:49","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T08:10:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paradigm21.ch\/resources\/articles\/levels-of-existence-in-spiral-dynamics\/"},"modified":"2026-11-05T23:22:48","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T22:22:48","slug":"levels-of-existence-in-spiral-dynamics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paradigm21.ch\/en\/resources\/articles\/levels-of-existence-in-spiral-dynamics\/","title":{"rendered":"The Levels of Existence in Spiral Dynamics (2\/4)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spiral Dynamics is a useful tool for shedding light on the changes underway and for understanding the stages of individual, collective, and organizational transformation in an increasingly complex world. This four-part series aims to explore this lens.<\/strong><\/p>

The first article, titled Introduction to the Evolutionary Model of Spiral Dynamics<\/strong><\/a>, lays the foundations for the levels of existence and layers of values in Spiral Dynamics. In this article, we will explore the different levels of existence<\/em> in Spiral Dynamics in detail, and the third article illustrates Evolution Illustrated with Spiral Dynamics<\/strong><\/a> (burnout and the evolution of our post-industrial society). Finally, the last article will highlight how earlier levels of existence<\/em> can be reactivated: Spiral Dynamics in the time of Coronavirus<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>

The different levels of existence<\/em><\/h2>

In his initial research, Professor Clare Graves identified eight levels of existence<\/em>. Before Don Beck and Christopher Cowan named this model “Spiral Dynamics” and gave it the colors we know today, Graves represented value systems (or levels of existence)<\/em> using letters. The first part of the alphabet (A to H) represented the evolution of life conditions<\/em> and the second part (N to U) represented the evolution of our neuropsychological adaptive capacities. This dual evolutionary movement is what Graves initially called the emerging double-helix model of evolution. This double helix is the origin of the alternation between value systems characterized by self-expression (on the left of the diagram) and those characterized by self-sacrifice (on the right). We tend to believe that individual development and collective development are opposing movements, when in reality they alternate throughout our evolution.<\/p>

Each level of existence<\/em> therefore corresponds to a new “way of thinking” in response to new life conditions<\/em> and a more complex environment. Each level includes positive and negative aspects. It would be wrong to categorize an individual or a personality type by levels or colors. It is better to see a level as a way of thinking in response to evolving circumstances.<\/p>

Let\u2019s remember that this is not about judging whether one level is better than another, or climbing the ladder from beige to “evolve” to turquoise through an act of will. The ego quickly sets traps for us. It is essential to see that it is not better to operate at the “green” stage than at the “orange” stage; only the congruence between our way of thinking, our behaviors, and the life conditions<\/em> is adequate or inadequate. A level of existence<\/em> is appropriate as long as it is adapted to our clife conditions<\/em>.<\/p>

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1. Survival (beige)<\/strong><\/h3>

Keywords:<\/strong> instinct, reptilian brain and midbrain<\/p>

Worldview:<\/strong> a dangerous natural environment.<\/p>

Thinking:<\/strong> automatic; there is no conscious value system.<\/p>

Actions:<\/strong> ensure survival by following instincts and meeting biological needs.<\/p>

Description:<\/strong> this level of human existence is instinctive in nature and oriented toward survival. Time is only a matter of the here and now, and the focus is on meeting physical needs. This level shows up, for example, in very young children and people with addictions. It also appears in life-threatening situations such as natural disasters. The only motivation is to survive.<\/p>