For at least a couple of decades we have been living in an accelerated shift in consciousness that is changing how the game is being played on earth for many generations to come. Our collective value system is shifting from a success orientation to a relationship orientation, or from “me” to “we”. This soul age shift from late young to early mature is the most difficult transition of the entire cycle. It has all the awkward volatility, confusion and discomfort of a self-absorbed teenager moving into young adulthood. The structures and systems that have supported the value system of external power are dissolving and they aren’t going quietly. We are living in the midst of extreme challenge and chaos that comes with growing up, which isn’t always easy. To put it another way, it’s a lot like having our house remodeled: when the wrecking crew arrives to tear down the walls it creates a lot of debris, chaos and confusion in the short term.

We have to trust the blueprint until the new structures take shape.

When we can’t see exactly what will replace our safe and familiar structures, our fears often create gloomy scenarios for our future. This is why it is important to create intentions and align our energy with the bigger picture of what we are evolving into as a family. Most us have a pretty good understanding of what young souled values are about, but what will a mature souled value system look like? We can take some clues from looking at the 7 seven levels that a mature soul goes through as an individual.

  • The first level mature soul seeks, above all else, right relationship to self. At this early stage of the mature soul cycle, perceptions and goals have altered substantially, as material success is no longer the primary aim. This is the level that a person asks the question, “What makes me happy? If money and prestige isn’t it, what is?” The inner life begins to form and the perspective is focused on service to self. The first level mature soul begins to open up to self-inquiry from a more spiritual perspective. There is now an awareness of the subtle energy fields beyond the physical plane. The more sold roles (scholar, warrior and king) generally begin meditation at this level. There is much more emphasis on personal integrity, on ethics, accountability and the consequences of healthy or unhealthy choices. The dangers here are that this stage comes with self-indulgence to the point of narcissism. Some first level mature souls become obsessed with good works. Even so, if you dig deeply enough you can see the motive behind their desire to serve is to make themselves feel good.
  • The second level mature soul seeks right relationship within the family. Sensitive and creative, this person seeks love and approval from many sources. They will often compromise their own needs in order to seek peace and fulfillment with the family constellation. Rejection is viewed as a rejection of his/her soul. Regardless of role, this person will express their creativity through whatever work is chosen. Underlying this, is always the desire to please and win the approval of the mother. A lack of nurturing in childhood will more often than not leave substantial scars, which can become the primary healing focus of the lifetime.
  • The third level mature soul seeks right relationship with a circle of friends. Loyal and steadfast, this person loves his/her friends and works hard to cultivate and keep friendships alive. The focus for this individual is learning the language of negotiation that helps to build and maintain peace among their peers rather than causing discord or confrontation. They become much more sophisticated in their communication skills at this level and work diligently at entertaining or facilitating events among like-minded people.
  • The fourth or mid-level mature soul seeks to integrate right relationship with self, family, and friends, while assimilating the experiences of the first three levels of this soul age. They endeavor to incorporate all relevant accumulated knowledge into his/her lifestyle. This person is generally deeply intuitive and contemplative, and requires alone time to process data more than other people. Public outpourings from the psyche are common at this level. Examples from this soul age are the poet Rumi, writers Anne Rice, Barbara Kingsolver, Leonard Cohen and the philosophers Plato and Immanuel Kant.
  • The fifth level mature soul seeks right relationship with the community at large (the tribe). This person works for approval from the entire spectrum of the community by playing the role of coyote or trickster for the tribe. The question asked here is “How and where do I fit in?” Many people at this level seek public office but often fail to win because they are perceived as being too smart, too outspoken, or too eccentric for the masses. Fifth level mature souls in the creative arts often make careers out of going against the grain of the prevailing social order. Eugene McCarthy, Michael Jackson and Joni Mitchell are examples of this soul age.
  • The sixth level mature soul seeks right relationship with the world at large. This person is the archetypal world citizen. Already this person has begun to look ahead to the old soul cycle, and to perceive that there is something greater than self that includes self. This level is the most challenging of all the soul ages because of the intensity and sheer number of karmic paybacks taken on. Many of the greatest statesmen of all time have been sixth level mature The current Dalai Lama is an example of this soul age.
  • The seventh level mature soul seeks right relationship with nature and the environment. This person will often explore animist spirituality and perform shamanic rituals that involve the use of power animals and totems. Environmental activism is common at this stage and they will often renounce wealth in favor of their principles. If they are business owners, they will incorporate environmental principles into their business practices. Al Gore is an example of this soul age.

The signs and signals of our collective shift into first level mature are all around us. The accumulation of wealth and power isn’t making us happier, as the evidence of stress related illness, depression, and anxiety in our affluent society clearly indicate. We’ve mastered the ability to control others and the natural world to the peril of the planet and our infrastructures so what’s next? Our biggest lesson over the next few centuries will be learning how to get along with each other and our environment in ways other than violence and aggression. We are learning how to solve our differences through diplomacy rather than warfare. This lesson starts with self. When we make peace within ourselves, we’re ready to make peace with everything we relate to.