Ep364: 9 Stages of Consciousness - Tara Springett
Tara Springett is a Buddhist psychotherapist who specialises in treating what she calls “Kundalini Syndrome”.
Available on Youtube, iTunes, SoundCloud & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
Tara discusses her book “Stairway to Heaven” in which she lays out a 9 stage model of consciousness from innocence to enlightenment.
Tara compares psychological ego strengthening to Buddhist ego deconstruction, reflects on her own childhood development and family of origin, and considers the place of kundalini phenomena in her 9-stage model.
Tara also reflects on the Tibetan saint Milarepa as a model for spiritual development, gives her assessment of Western Civilisation, and explains why she believes so many people choose the wrong practice for their stage of development.
00:00 - Intro
00:53 - Award for “Stairway to Heaven”
02:42 - Psychological ego strengthening vs Buddhist ego deconstruction
07:15 - Tara’s 9-stage model of consciousness
08:28 - Innocence stage
09:38 - Dominance stage
11:45 - Obedience stage
14:43- Ambition stage
17:36 - Sharing stage
21:21 - Responsibility stage
27:31 - Love stage
29:16 - Bliss stage
30:54 - Enlightenment stage
33:43 - Kundalini awakening vs spiritual awakening
38:14 - Difficulties when having an awakening at a lower stage
41:09 - Tara’s family’s stage
41:56 - Tara’s assessment of Western Civilisation
47:46 - Stage model applied to historical periods
49:53 - Political positions and the stage model
51:44 - Milarepa as an exemplar of stage development
53:41 - The power of stories, fairy tales, and myths
56:25 - Choosing practice according to stage
01:01:19 - Teachings appropriate to all levels
01:02:33 - Reflections on the last 10 years
01:07:12 - Tara’s optimism about the future
Previous episodes with Tara Springett:
To find out more about Tara Springett, visit:
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James