Seven Principles of Human Development

[Fullcrum]

It seems like one of the main overarching ideas is the power of context.

[hmad]

Umm, why is it that everyone likes to classify any formula or framework in 7's? Deepak chopra has 7 spiritual laws, Stephen covey has 7 habits and Tony has 6. I think context is very important. I have been a staunch supporter of the Covey's 7 habits uptill very recently but then came out the secret and made me think, how does this fit into the 7 habits?

How about covey's 4 unique endowments of awareness, free will, consciences and imagination? Do they figure to be some where in Steve’s 7 principles? My take on what the principles are :-

1) The will to Meaning/context - derived from viktor Franklin’s school of thought
2) What you want /desire
3) Learning to focus on what you want and not on what u don't want - LOA
4) The law of the farm / action gets result approach/The law of total responsibility/ Being proactive
5) Need for change/ need for stability
6) The golden rule - justice, fairness, honesty, integrity
7) Contribution and Growth alignment- you get only when you give

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

Steve, I'm curious, how well did the roots align with ACIM teachings / philosophy?

The ACIM ideas basically involve just 3 of the principles. There are some key principles that ACIM doesn't address, however. ACIM really isn't a principle-centered approach. It's more of a spiritual philosophy, even though it does address high-level topics.

ACIM doesn't really get at the roots of consciousness. It teaches that physical reality is a dream and that you can use forgiveness to awaken from that dream. My response to that was, "So what?" I wanted to identify the aspects of consciousness that would still be true whether life is or isn't a dream, whether you use forgiveness to "awaken" via ACIM or decide to stay put and experience the dreamworld deliberately. What's the common pattern that remains true regards of your spiritual philosophy? What could an atheist and an ACIMer both agree on?

I don't consider traditional approaches to enlightenment as the highest level human beings can attain. I think we should aim for a different direction instead of enlightenment. That direction is defined by the 7th principle in the book. I think when people read it, they'll logically and intuitively recognize that it makes a lot more sense than aiming for enlightenment (an ideal that most people don't pursue anyway).

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

The ACIM ideas

A google search for ACIM reveals "A course in Miracle". I assume that's what you guys are talking about.

[Dan.Linehan]

Good stuff. ACIM is a strange philosophy. The initial proof makes sense to me (if love is all there is then nothing exists but love) but nothing else is very effective in practice.

Believing that nothing really exists / that my actions don't really matter because they never really happened is tantamount to nihilism the way I see it. In a way its almost the exact opposite of accepting responsibility.

ACIM definitely doesn't answer your questions of "Why be responsible? Why take the initiative? Why do those things matter?" - just the opposite. It would seem to say none of those things matter because nothing is real except love anyway.

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

What could an atheist and an ACIMer both agree on?

The Golden Rule.
Freedom.
Expression of Thought.


Here is an interesting quote on spiritual versus secular philosophy.

Originally Posted by Jonathan Wallace

Without God, murder is forbidden by human law; it is only for those acting on behalf of God, that everything is permitted.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by seeker5

A google search for ACIM reveals "A course in Miracle". I assume that's what you guys are talking about.

Yes.

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I don't consider traditional approaches to enlightenment as the highest level human beings can attain. I think we should aim for a different direction instead of enlightenment. That direction is defined by the 7th principle in the book. I think when people read it, they'll logically and intuitively recognize that it makes a lot more sense than aiming for enlightenment (an ideal that most people don't pursue anyway).

One good move?

[seeker5]

OK! I'm gonna take a guess now. My last and final guess to the seven principles are:

Principle of Truth
Principle of Love,
Principle of Power
Principle of Oneness
Principle of Authority
Principle of Courage
Principle of Intelligence

[seeker5]

Ok ok, I cheated.

The book is ready for pre-order at amazon.com at:

Amazon.com: Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth: Steve Pavlina: Books

Here is the part where it described the seven principles:

As you read, you’ll learn the seven universal principles behind all successful growth efforts (truth, love, power, oneness, authority, courage, and intelligence);

Some of the posters touched on one of these principles, so if you did, congratulations! I know I completed didn't touch on any of them - I guess I was too stuck on the Steven Covey type of principles. However, looking at the list, it starts to make sense. Now I'm looking forward to reading the book!
.

[MasterD]

Now; if you would want to derive the virtue 'taking responsibility' out of these principles; how would you do this?

[Steve Pavlina]

Very good. I was wondering how long it would take for someone to notice that the principles were posted publicly.

The text posted on Amazon comes from the back cover copy of the book.

The first half of the book covers these 7 principles. The second half explains how to apply them to your habits, career, finances, health, relationships, etc.

You won't fully grasp the principles just by reading the labels, but the labels will give you some idea.

For example, it should be clear enough that the principle of truth is universal because you can make progress in any area of your life by bringing more truth to it. When you fall into a pattern of denial, thereby turning your back on truth, your growth stalls. This is true in every area of your life (health, relationships, career, etc).

The cool thing about learning the 7 principles and how to apply them is that you can use them to get unstuck and make forward progress in any situation.

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by MasterD

Now; if you would want to derive the virtue 'taking responsibility' out of these principles; how would you do this?

Responsibility is an aspect of the principle of Power. You can't bring power (i.e. action) to your life if you deny responsibility for it.

[Jonathan Mead]

I'd like to suggest an ultimate principle:

The principle of How: the what in your life is mostly subervant to how you do it. How you live is more important than what you have. How also determined your enjoyment, which is the singular purpose for life. How also will ultimately determine your what as well. If you live full of joy, love, peace and clarity your what will be wonderful.

The how will ultimately be determined by reasons, motivation. How you leave your life is based on your inspiration, meaning and purpose. However, making a choice to choose to live your life in truth and common sense (how you live it) will bring you to clarity, peace, happiness and balance.

What do you think? =)

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Mead

I'd like to suggest an ultimate principle:

The principle of How: the what in your life is mostly subervant to how you do it. How you live is more important than what you have. How also determined your enjoyment, which is the singular purpose for life. How also will ultimately determine your what as well. If you live full of joy, love, peace and clarity your what will be wonderful.

The how will ultimately be determined by reasons, motivation. How you leave your life is based on your inspiration, meaning and purpose. However, making a choice to choose to live your life in truth and common sense (how you live it) will bring you to clarity, peace, happiness and balance.

What do you think? =)

You're partly describing the principle of Intelligence.

[Angela]

What about the principle of chocolate? It's all of the seven principles, and yet not completely encompassed by any.

[Dan.Linehan]

What's the difference between intelligence and consciousness?

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Angela

What about the principle of chocolate? It's all of the seven principles, and yet not completely encompassed by any.

Chocolate can be derived from Love, assuming you love chocolate.

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

What's the difference between intelligence and consciousness?

The exercise of intelligence is the primary mechanism by which conscious beings experience growth. So intelligence is the aspect of consciousness that gives rise to growth. No intelligence = no growth.

[Keith]

Question: Are these things really principles? I can see Love, Truth etc. as values but a principle seems like it should be, "an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct" (thanks dictionary.com ).

eg. Covey's principles were things like "Be proactive" and "Think Win/Win" ie they were instructions on what to do.

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Keith

Question: Are these things really principles? I can see Love, Truth etc. as values but a principle seems like it should be, "an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct" (thanks dictionary.com ).

eg. Covey's principles were things like "Be proactive" and "Think Win/Win" ie they were instructions on what to do.

I reduced each principle to a single word so they're easy to remember. The application instruction are in the book.

All of the 7 Habits can be derived from the 7 principles. For example, "be proactive" derives from the principle of power, and "think win-win" arises naturally from the principle of oneness.

Once you understand how each principle works, you can recall it with a single word.

[supertom]

The universal principles look well universal, and the book looks good.


Authority and power is sometimes used interchangeably, what does your Authority mean?? DW I'll just wait for the book to come out lols.


Were you inspired by coveys 7 habits when writing the book ??

[Holistic Star]

Oooh I just noticed if you rearrange the words into this order:

Truth
Oneness
Power
Intelligence
Courage
Authority
Love

the first letters spell the word TOPICAL.

Do I win a prize?

[Dan.Linehan]

Don't forget Optical.

Oneness
Power
Truth
Intelligence
Courage
Authority
Love

The word you see depends on the lens.. ooooh.. hehe.