The following is based on The Seven Stages of Life as given by Adi Da Samraj
Complied by Beezone
Consideration for Adults
- Are you sensitive to the etheric energy within yourself and around others?
- Do you feel a connection with others through this energy, creating a natural moral obligation to act responsibly?
- Are you aware of how your emotional states impact others?
- Do you feel a connection to nature’s living energy, and do you act responsibly toward it?
- Do you conduct your own life-force to bring healing energy to yourself and others?
- Can you spend time alone positively, or do you experience anxiety when alone?
- Are you comfortable being “visible” to close people, or do you distance yourself with excessive privacy?
- Do you engage socially in a positive way, or do you tend to withdraw or need to be the center of attention?
- Can you maintain varied relationships, each with appropriate closeness and commitment?
- Do you use relationships as a means for growth or withdraw when facing relationship challenges?
- Do you struggle with self-esteem or feel unworthy in certain situations?
- Can you observe the “you don’t love me” feeling without acting on it negatively?
- Can you continue with the disposition of “I love you” instead of punishing others emotionally?
- Are you at ease with your gender identity, accepting both masculine and feminine traits within yourself?
- Do you accept both masculine and feminine qualities, or do you feel conflicted?
- Are you comfortable with natural bodily functions, or do you have rituals or inhibitions about them?
- Do you have a positive relationship with your own body through self-care, like grooming and self-massage?
- Do you recognize when you are overthinking or caught up in abstract thought patterns, and are you able to bring yourself back to a more grounded, present awareness?
- When faced with choices, are you able to differentiate between impulsive desires and deeper, value-based intentions? How often do you reflect on these decisions to understand your motivations?
- Are you able to maintain a sense of self-trust and stability without overly relying on external validation or approval from others?
- When encountering setbacks, do you experience feelings of doubt and dilemma, or are you able to see them as opportunities for learning and growth? How do you work through these moments?
- In your relationships, do you feel comfortable balancing intimacy and personal boundaries? How well do you communicate your needs and listen to those of others?
- Do you recognize when you may be overly focused on achieving or controlling outcomes? How often do you reflect on whether these pursuits are aligned with your deeper values?
- Are you able to appreciate the process of personal growth and learning, or do you find yourself constantly striving for a state of completion or ‘arrival’?
- Do you feel comfortable with both independence and interdependence in your personal and professional life, and are you able to shift between these as situations require?
- In times of stress, do you rely more on mental strategies to cope, or are you able to draw on physical and emotional resources to maintain balance?
Second Stage of Child Development (Ages 6-12)
Starting Point:
- Begins with the appearance of permanent teeth, marking a new stage of emotional and energetic sensitivity.
Developmental Focus:
- Primary Traits: Sensitivity to feelings, energies, and etheric (subtle) aspects of existence.
- Primary Statements: “I feel, therefore I am.”
- Learning Style: Best absorbed through myths, parables, and moral precepts.
- Emotional Growth: Strong in letting go, forgiveness, and emotional flow—learning to forgive oneself and others.
Potential Weaknesses:
- Signs of Imbalance: Tendency toward dreaminess, subconscious escapism, and attachment to idealized or unreal emotional states.
- Unhealthy Traits: Overattachment to independence, feeling excluded, or excessively engaging in daydreams and fantasies.
Supportive Strengths:
- Supported by: Emotional fluency, sensitivity to others, and healthy role models.
- Healthy Image: Feeling connected with nature, energy, and life forces; able to let go of negative emotions and embrace positive experiences.
Imagery of Maturity and Health:
- Healthy Image: Embodied by Daedalus, who flies evenly and balances his abilities.
- Unhealthy Image: Embodied by Icarus, who soars recklessly, leading to a tragic fall.
Fullness and Happiness:
- Core Task: Membership and interconnectedness, experiencing a balance of independence and social belonging.
- Wants/Mood: Seeking emotional safety and dependency for support, but ideally finding balance and self-sufficiency.
Signs in Adults with Unresolved Second Stage Issues:
- Indicators: Difficulty letting go or forgiving others, feeling crippled by exclusion, betrayal, or feelings of unworthiness.
- Unhealthy Coping: Overdependence on roles, social validation, and attachment to beliefs around parental-like authority figures (e.g., kings or church leaders).
Cultural and Archetypal Reflections:
- Primitive Associations: Provincial religions that emphasize parental deity figures and hierarchical relationships.
- Mythic/Archetypal Reflection: Exemplified by Daedalus and Icarus, symbolizing balance versus reckless ambition.
Reflective Enquiry Questions for Adults (Related to Second Stage)
Etheric Sensitivities and Social Relationships
- Are you sensitive to the etheric energy within yourself and around others?
- Do you feel a connection with others through this energy, creating a natural moral obligation to act responsibly?
- Are you aware of how your emotional states impact others?
- Do you feel a connection to nature’s living energy, and do you act responsibly toward it?
- Do you conduct your own life-force to bring healing energy to yourself and others?
- Can you spend time alone positively, or do you experience anxiety when alone?
- Are you comfortable being “visible” to close people, or do you distance yourself with excessive privacy?
- Do you engage socially in a positive way, or do you tend to withdraw or need to be the center of attention?
- Do you feel connected to your inner child—can you access feelings of innocence, curiosity, and wonder without feeling self-conscious?
- When faced with strong emotions, do you feel comfortable expressing them constructively, or do you tend to suppress or avoid them?
- Are you able to forgive yourself for past mistakes and move forward, or do you find yourself dwelling on past errors and regrets?
- Can you embrace imperfections in yourself and others without feeling a need to idealize or criticize?
- When you feel excluded or misunderstood, how do you typically respond? Do you seek to understand others’ perspectives or withdraw into resentment?
- Are you able to find a healthy balance between independence and emotional support, allowing yourself to feel connected without feeling dependent?
- Do you recognize when you’re daydreaming excessively, and are you able to redirect your focus to the present when needed?
- When engaging with myths, stories, or spiritual teachings, do you feel a deeper resonance with their
- meaning, or do you find yourself disconnected from such symbolic forms of learning?
- Do you feel a sense of emotional safety and trust in close relationships, allowing you to be vulnerable without fear of rejection?
- Are you able to experience joy and connection in simple, everyday moments, or do you find yourself always searching for something more ideal or extraordinary?
Relationship Balance and Self-Esteem
- Can you maintain varied relationships, each with appropriate closeness and commitment?
- Do you use relationships as a means for growth or withdraw when facing relationship challenges?
- Do you struggle with self-esteem or feel unworthy in certain situations?
- Can you observe the “you don’t love me” feeling without acting on it negatively?
- Can you continue with the disposition of “I love you” instead of punishing others emotionally?
Physical Functions and Gender Issues
- Are you at ease with your gender identity, accepting both masculine and feminine traits within yourself?
- Do you accept both masculine and feminine qualities, or do you feel conflicted?
- Are you comfortable with natural bodily functions, or do you have rituals or inhibitions about them?
- Do you have a positive relationship with your own body through self-care, like grooming and self-massage?