Appendix X: Book- Transformative Educator’s Guide to Mindful Practice: Daily reflections and
exercises for Peace of Mind, Excellence and Teaching from the Heart----By John Shindler
Levels and/or States of Consciousness
At any one point in time our mental activity is defined by what we could call a “state of consciousness.” And any
particular state could be located on a continuum/level – from low - lost in our ego and victim thinking to high -
seeing reality clearly and feeling a sense of ease and oneness. We may stay in a particular state for a moment or
for weeks or more.
The thinking and mental messages that define the levels is outlined in the table below. At the bottom is the
victim level in which we feel that things are against us and we cannot be OK with our situation the way that it is,
we feel things and others should be different, and our current lot is unfair in the vast configuration of things. The
next level up is defined by the active state of trying to control our world with effort, manipulation, overcoming
our situation, and basically trying to win the game of life. The top level is defined by a letting go of the
controlling attitude and opening to more conscious thinking and coming into alignment with our true nature and
the world around us. For each level, we can identify the kinds of mental and/or spoken statements that would
represent the thinking at and within that level.
Level Label
Definition
Ascending Mental State Statements
Aligned/
Aware/
Flow
At this level of consciousness
one feels a sense that
fundamentally life is in order.
Action comes from internal
sources of motivation that
just feel right. It can take the
form of a state of flow, grace,
creativity, losing track of time
in a task, or feeling inspired or
meditative.
• I feel as sense of oneness with everything
• I just forget myself and get into the flow and
let excellence and goodness emerge from a
higher source.
• I feel like answers and insights come to me
without effort if I am just open to them.
• I feel a strong sense that having faith in my
vision and the process will lead to something
good.
• I can feel some awareness of the larger
reality no matter what the situation.
• I am OK with mistakes along the way
Manipulator/
Empowered/
Controller
At this level of consciousness
one is looking to take action
to control their environment
and situation. The idea is that
things are not OK as they are
but can be made OK by being
manipulated by clever or
purposeful effort toward the
goal of improving things.
• It all seems like it is working out right now
• I know I can do it if I try
• I have some clever strategies to get what I
want
• I might lose some battles but I will with the
war
• It takes a lot to keep it together
• Mostly life is so much work
Victim/Ego
Survival/
Poor me
At this level of mental state
one feels like life is out to get
me. People and circumstances
are against me and luck in not
on my side. I feel defensive
and the need to protect
myself. It is difficult to trust
why things would get any
better.
• I wish so much was different
• I just want to survive this
• I feel like what I am going through is not fair
• I feel so let down by life and others right
now
• It seems like so much is against me right
now
• I feel hopeless
