The Boldness of Blue
By Tim King
In arriving at the fourth level of the spiral we reach the Traditional or “blue” level of consciousness – a level with much that is commendable. With its sense of justice, law and order, this level of consciousness comes to our aid in protecting us from the abuses of the previous Warrior/Red level. In many ways, in fact, Blue – whether it’s the Blue in each of us or the Blue in society – is the only thing that can keep Red at bay.
Because of this, it is not an exaggeration to say that the Traditional/Blue level is what keeps society from ripping apart at the seams.
From a religious perspective I feel a great indebtedness to the Traditional/Blue level of consciousness; it is there that I was blessed to learn the story of the divine. From an early age I was steeped in the stories of the great biblical heroes and taught many life-giving principles necessary for navigating life.
Because I was fortunate enough to be raised in a family with a “blue” center of gravity, I was able to learn the importance of forgiveness and love, of seeing how each person has been created in the image of God. This upbringing taught me empathy and compassion for others and imbued me with a strong sense of the necessity and role of community, as well as a strong sense of navigating ideas such as right and wrong.
The Traditionalist’s high regard for rules, ethics, discipline and commitment to the ordered operation of society offers us a sense of peace and security. It is here that we learn a strong work ethic, giving our best and expecting fair compensation.
When there is a strong “blue” streak in the business world there is a high sense of community, a certain provision for healthcare, paid vacations, annual company reunions and a hierarchy of administration in place to make sure everything continues operating smoothly. Alternately, when we lose this sense of traditional values we also lose the sense of loyalty.
When “blue” leads our religious organizations we can expect a high degree of tradition and ritual from generations past to be carried on and lived out in the present. Often “blue” worship is filled with a mixture of hymns and rituals that remind us of the traditional paths of our ancestors. In a great way, it’s all about proclaiming “the old, old story.”
As well, our “blue/traditionalist” gatherings will most likely be hierarchical in nature with a pastor or some sort of paid clergy at the head, from which the divine instruction is dispersed to the group as a whole.
In “blue” communities there are strong boundaries that delineate between right and wrong, between the acceptable versus taboo. Typically a great degree of energy and effort is invested in making sure that all members of the community understand how to conduct themselves and what will occur should they break stride. From this we experience both positive and negative motivators in attempting to keep control of the tribe/community. Often it is within our “blue” traditions that we first experience feelings of guilt, fear and shame at not being able to meet the stated standards of the group.
Our Blue Bibles
In the biblical narrative it seems to be the emergence of Blue, expressed in Torah (law) that helps to solidify the Hebrew people into a nation. So serious is the business of following the letter of the law that it is not uncommon for such law to be accompanied by a list of both blessings and curses such as “do and live” or “transgress and die.” The Blue/Traditionalist sense of law is steeped in tradition and therefore frowns upon attempts at alternate or creative interpretations of its sacred code.
This is found in the Hebrew scriptures in places such as the Book of Deuteronomy with its long lists of blessings and curses, many of which are tied to the direct intervention of God in response to the righteous and wicked alike.
In the world of Blue, the law is grounded in a supreme power, which is why breaking the law is so serious; it is an affront to this supreme power. This is also why the penalties for stepping outside of the legal boundaries of the community are so severe.
For example, the Book of Deuteronomy includes a warning from Moses: “But if you will not obey the Lord your God by diligently observing all his commandments and decrees, which I am commanding you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and over-take you… The Lord will cause you to be defeated…You shall become an object of horror…your corpses shall be food for every bird of the air…you will be afflicted…” (See Deuteronomy chapter 28).
Juicy language indeed.
Dignities and Disasters
When infused with a strong sense of humility and mercy, few things are as orderly and organized as the Traditionalist way of being. Their healthy sense of commitment to “doing the right thing” can create helping systems and organizations that approach the limits of human kindness and charity. There is a great deal of dignity in this.
However, the Traditionalist/Blue level’s near obsession with controlling others through law often creates an untenable rigidity that works against rather than for the very people it seeks to serve. In the process it can become intolerant, callous and punitive in its administration. While love might be kind, dealing with others through law often is not.
From an egoic or false self perspective, the irony is easily seen: The attempt to live through law inevitably leads one to turn to self, in an egoic attempt to control self and others. The end result is a self-righteous attempt at self-obedience, or what Paul might call “life according to the flesh” (i.e., life under one’s own power and according to one’s own strength). And for the person in the spotlight of laws’ demands, no amount of admonishment that “well, nobody’s perfect” is sufficient to bring relief from the guilt, bondage and shame that results from falling short.
Another pitfall of the Blue/Traditionalist level is its insistence that its adherents must learn to sacrifice the present in exchange for a future reward. It is from this level that we get sentiments like “this world is not my home, I’m just a-passin through.” This can create, or at least contribute to, an environment of anxiety surrounding the future that robs us of the present moment and all the opportunities that come with it.
Conclusion
As with each level of the spiral, the Blue/Traditionalist meme has its dignities and disasters. And as with the other levels of the spiral, we have to experience this level in its fullness for evolution to the next level to take place; there are things we need from this level that are essential – both for us as individuals and for the world at large –for the next stages. We cannot neglect the gifts that blue offers us, in ourselves or in others.
If Blue emerged as a way to hold Red in check, and still functions that way, it also, as we will see, serves as a check on the potential disasters of the next level of the Orange/Modernist. The principle stands: regardless of the level we’re at, the basic teachings of Jesus to love God and others, to “judge not that we be not judged” comes right from the heart of the Blue meme… and if the human race is to survive, these are the teachings that must forever endure.
Watch Presence TV