We believe that as we gain greater understanding through Areté, we have the opportunity to experience a improvement of our consciousness. While existing in any of the four identified levels of consciousness is temporary, and sometimes only fleeting, by living with more excellent habits we can make experiencing higher consciousness a habit as well.
Level 1: The Fog
In this level we are surrounded by the cacophony of human emotion. Our animal nature which seeks for survival and pleasure controls our actions. We are not even aware that we are surrounded by this fog.
When surrounded by the fog of our daily lives we are small minded, short sighted, and stupid. This level of consciousness reacts to problems.
We symbolize this level of consciousness with the classical element of fire.
Level 2: Contextual Awareness
We become aware of the fog, and recognize how unhelpful it is. We can now make better decisions and gain greater agency over our lives.
Attaining consciousness of this level is often possible through education, reflection, and harmony with our physical bodies and the world. This level of consciousness responds to problems.
We symbolize this level with the classical element of water.
Level 3: Global Comprehension
These are often "whoa moments" where we suddenly glimpse a greater perspective than just our individual circumstances. This experience is typically associated with “enlightenment” and is the stage most seekers of wisdom search for.
Greater wisdom at this level helps us make even difficult decisions with better success. This level of consciousness plans for problems.
We symbolize this level with the classical element of air.
Level 4: Innovative Ideation
There is no reason to presume Level 3 is the epitome of consciousness and wisdom. The fourth level pushes the boundaries of current comprehension. Living in this level allows us to discover genuinely new knowledge, making revolutionary connections between seemingly disconnected data points, and building new methods of doing things that all humans can make use of later, even at lower levels of consciousness!
This level of consciousness invents brand new solutions never thought of before.