| The Map of Money Consciousness |
The Map of Money Consciousness™
The Map is a scale that is designed to explain the graduating levels of
understanding about how money works, showing the experience of
individuals at each consciousness level.
What determines a position on the scale is a combination of habitual
thinking, beliefs, raw intelligence, and emotional intelligence. When
these are combined you can see a developing financial maturity. For
true fulfillment that includes financial ‘harmony’ (beliefs, desires, and
purpose all blend) one needs to have a well defined understanding of
human behavior, intra and inter-relationship competence, economic
knowledge, confidence in self, and inspired action.
Click here to take the quiz to find out where you are on the map
Level One
Blame/Despair/Apathy
They find their selves in poverty, unemployed or meagerly employed,
and have the world view of a victim on the stage of life. They feel
helpless to change circumstances. They blame their situation on others;
family, employer, community, ‘them’, or government. They are
resigned to this reality and don’t have any hope it will change. It is
extraordinarily difficult to raise oneself out of this level, though with a
life changing event they may transcend it. Here, if one happened to win
the Lottery it would most likely be gone within two years. They have
no money skills, and lack the emotional skills as well. They feel the
world is conspiring against them. Wealthy people are viewed in
mythic proportions; it isn't ‘real life’ to them.
Level Two
Fear/Anxiety
They are more aware of their situation and have an idea that they
‘should’ be able to do better, yet they have fear of the unknown, fear of
taking chances and anxiety over change. This is a big hurdle for people
in this category. This can all be unconscious; they feel anxiousness
surrounding money but can't quite define what is holding them back. It
corresponds with a lack of trust in life, that life will sustain them. They
are limited by habitual thinking and see a way out only in magical
terms. They don’t have faith in themselves having the ability to create a
comfortable life. Perhaps they learned this from parents or other
significant adults as they were growing up (cultural). They resist
feeling hopeful so they don’t become disappointed. When money
happens to come to them it seems to slip right through their fingers.
They are financially in chaos.
Level Three
Desire/Craving
At this level people are moving beyond apathy and debilitating fear, so
desires naturally spring up. Instead of deadening the desires or
withdrawing away from them, they welcome them into their
awareness. They like to entertain ideas and begin to dream of a grander
way of life. Money naturally becomes more of a focus in their plans.
Checking and savings accounts are becoming mastered, as well as
steady employment. They find themselves in a situation of denial for
the bulk of their desires, however, because they still lack the basic
knowledge about money that will enable them to accomplish more.
Their resentment of others who have more success is still present and
interestingly, that holds them back, because one wouldn't envy
someone else unless they believed themselves unworthy.
Level Four
Anger/Aggression
At this level there is a dramatic change for they are becoming more
aware of the part they play in their own life. Before there was an
assumption that events and one's life situation wasn't in their control,
but came from outside themselves. At this level anger shows up and it
is the anger that gives them the energy to change their situation. The
apathy is gone. It takes an enormous amount of effort to rise up out of a
Level Three lifestyle to a higher one. The anger they feel is usually
projected out onto others, but is most likely from anger at themselves.
They now realize that they, and only they, must take action. One must
be aggressive to overcome all the obstacles and learn the rules of
money. The anger gives the impetus at this level that will make it
possible to continue up the scale.
Level Five
Courage/Optimism
There is relief here. There is great hope and a feeling of inspiration.
Budgeting is mastered. Better employment, a retirement plan, and a
healthy curiosity about how money works have become part of the
fabric of their lives. They've crossed a defining line where financial
disasters are less frequent. Their curiosity about money is protection
against the common financial mistakes people make. Not only have
they learned about banking and retirement planning, but are now
looking at other ways to make their money grow. Their ears are open
and they’re thinking about ways to manifest more financial security.
Though they still have trepidations, they feel empowered. Financial
Health is emerging.
Level Six
Satisfaction/Trust
At this level people are understandably satisfied. They are learning
how to build financial security, maximize their earnings through
saving and investing and building good credit. They are careful with
purchases and investments. They have mastered delaying gratification
which is a necessary component on the way to financial independence.
They are beginning to experience the freedom a sustainable faith in
their future brings. They know their future is in their own hands and
feel up to the challenge. They trust themselves and trust their growing
knowledge but they are still a bit hard on themselves, thinking they
should do more, know more, and so on. But they have realized how
important persistence is in accomplishing their goals.
Level Seven
Acceptance/Forgiveness/Giving
Now we are beginning to move on the downside of the bell curve. The
people that have risen to this level are discovering how the economy
really works. They've begun to develop a more complete
understanding of the free market system, mortgages, credit card
companies, and taxes; and are secure in their chosen career. They can
look back at their own past choices and understand that they did the
best they could with the information they had at the time. So they can
accept their current situation, assess where they want to go, and
implement a long term financial plan. They know their talents,
strengths and a sense of purpose. They have a forgiving attitude
toward themselves and others. They are able to recognize what makes
people financially successful and can plainly see why some fail.
Blaming others for their situation is not likely by this stage. And a new
generosity is emerging that goes beyond giving to the family by
extending outward to community and charity. Financial Harmony ™ is
possible for this and the upper levels.
Level Eight
Wisdom/Abstraction/Reason
Wisdom is knowledge that is internalized and becomes a part of you. It
becomes innate. When this is developed on the subject of economics,
one can successfully run scenarios of financial undertakings through
his or her head, playing the “What will happen if…”game. Creative
expression with finance and business become common here. Failures
certainly can occur because one gave it a shot, but here again; a person
at this level knows there will be no gain without risk. Until this stage,
ventures into business ownership are often unsuccessful. The wisdom
with which to sense various outcomes isn't completely matured until
level eight. There is an expansive understanding of human nature
which is essential in successful commerce. Here is also a stronger
desire to serve, and a passion for their chosen field is present.
Level Nine
Self-Actualization
One now understands the deeper meanings surrounding money, and
how emotions play such an integral role in one’s experience with it. A
person at this level has mastered the emotional side of money. One
assumes a feeling of security and no longer worries about material
things. They can invest with confidence, review and adjust financial
plans, create an estate plan, and participate in some type of service.
They've often learned the skill of creating a flow of income that is not
dependent on their actions; the money comes in whether they show up
at work or not. This is called passive income. Business owners, Real
estate investors, and security investors, can fit in here if they have
achieved true meaning and purpose in their lives.
Level Ten
Illumination
Money becomes a natural means to support one’s purpose. As this
person goes out into the world money isn't a focus at all. People flock
to support this type of person because of what they represent; hope,
knowledge, and inspiration. Great religious leaders, great teachers and
other types of leaders are carried on a wave of contributions. Some who
attain this level are overcome with greed and fall back several levels.
Some on this level retreat happily to live with or without large
amounts of money. They have truly ‘transcended’ the material desires.
Of course, most of you who are reading this will fall somewhere in the
middle. Just getting to 6 or 7 is a real accomplishment. It is rare that an
individual will find all of his aspects neatly fitting within one level, but
one will be dominate. Having a map can show you where you might
want to go. If you want to go to the next level, hang out with others that
are on that one.
© copyright 2008 Kasey J. Claytor
The Map is a scale that is designed to explain the graduating levels of
understanding about how money works, showing the experience of
individuals at each consciousness level.
What determines a position on the scale is a combination of habitual
thinking, beliefs, raw intelligence, and emotional intelligence. When
these are combined you can see a developing financial maturity. For
true fulfillment that includes financial ‘harmony’ (beliefs, desires, and
purpose all blend) one needs to have a well defined understanding of
human behavior, intra and inter-relationship competence, economic
knowledge, confidence in self, and inspired action.
Click here to take the quiz to find out where you are on the map
Level One
Blame/Despair/Apathy
They find their selves in poverty, unemployed or meagerly employed,
and have the world view of a victim on the stage of life. They feel
helpless to change circumstances. They blame their situation on others;
family, employer, community, ‘them’, or government. They are
resigned to this reality and don’t have any hope it will change. It is
extraordinarily difficult to raise oneself out of this level, though with a
life changing event they may transcend it. Here, if one happened to win
the Lottery it would most likely be gone within two years. They have
no money skills, and lack the emotional skills as well. They feel the
world is conspiring against them. Wealthy people are viewed in
mythic proportions; it isn't ‘real life’ to them.
Level Two
Fear/Anxiety
They are more aware of their situation and have an idea that they
‘should’ be able to do better, yet they have fear of the unknown, fear of
taking chances and anxiety over change. This is a big hurdle for people
in this category. This can all be unconscious; they feel anxiousness
surrounding money but can't quite define what is holding them back. It
corresponds with a lack of trust in life, that life will sustain them. They
are limited by habitual thinking and see a way out only in magical
terms. They don’t have faith in themselves having the ability to create a
comfortable life. Perhaps they learned this from parents or other
significant adults as they were growing up (cultural). They resist
feeling hopeful so they don’t become disappointed. When money
happens to come to them it seems to slip right through their fingers.
They are financially in chaos.
Level Three
Desire/Craving
At this level people are moving beyond apathy and debilitating fear, so
desires naturally spring up. Instead of deadening the desires or
withdrawing away from them, they welcome them into their
awareness. They like to entertain ideas and begin to dream of a grander
way of life. Money naturally becomes more of a focus in their plans.
Checking and savings accounts are becoming mastered, as well as
steady employment. They find themselves in a situation of denial for
the bulk of their desires, however, because they still lack the basic
knowledge about money that will enable them to accomplish more.
Their resentment of others who have more success is still present and
interestingly, that holds them back, because one wouldn't envy
someone else unless they believed themselves unworthy.
Level Four
Anger/Aggression
At this level there is a dramatic change for they are becoming more
aware of the part they play in their own life. Before there was an
assumption that events and one's life situation wasn't in their control,
but came from outside themselves. At this level anger shows up and it
is the anger that gives them the energy to change their situation. The
apathy is gone. It takes an enormous amount of effort to rise up out of a
Level Three lifestyle to a higher one. The anger they feel is usually
projected out onto others, but is most likely from anger at themselves.
They now realize that they, and only they, must take action. One must
be aggressive to overcome all the obstacles and learn the rules of
money. The anger gives the impetus at this level that will make it
possible to continue up the scale.
Level Five
Courage/Optimism
There is relief here. There is great hope and a feeling of inspiration.
Budgeting is mastered. Better employment, a retirement plan, and a
healthy curiosity about how money works have become part of the
fabric of their lives. They've crossed a defining line where financial
disasters are less frequent. Their curiosity about money is protection
against the common financial mistakes people make. Not only have
they learned about banking and retirement planning, but are now
looking at other ways to make their money grow. Their ears are open
and they’re thinking about ways to manifest more financial security.
Though they still have trepidations, they feel empowered. Financial
Health is emerging.
Level Six
Satisfaction/Trust
At this level people are understandably satisfied. They are learning
how to build financial security, maximize their earnings through
saving and investing and building good credit. They are careful with
purchases and investments. They have mastered delaying gratification
which is a necessary component on the way to financial independence.
They are beginning to experience the freedom a sustainable faith in
their future brings. They know their future is in their own hands and
feel up to the challenge. They trust themselves and trust their growing
knowledge but they are still a bit hard on themselves, thinking they
should do more, know more, and so on. But they have realized how
important persistence is in accomplishing their goals.
Level Seven
Acceptance/Forgiveness/Giving
Now we are beginning to move on the downside of the bell curve. The
people that have risen to this level are discovering how the economy
really works. They've begun to develop a more complete
understanding of the free market system, mortgages, credit card
companies, and taxes; and are secure in their chosen career. They can
look back at their own past choices and understand that they did the
best they could with the information they had at the time. So they can
accept their current situation, assess where they want to go, and
implement a long term financial plan. They know their talents,
strengths and a sense of purpose. They have a forgiving attitude
toward themselves and others. They are able to recognize what makes
people financially successful and can plainly see why some fail.
Blaming others for their situation is not likely by this stage. And a new
generosity is emerging that goes beyond giving to the family by
extending outward to community and charity. Financial Harmony ™ is
possible for this and the upper levels.
Level Eight
Wisdom/Abstraction/Reason
Wisdom is knowledge that is internalized and becomes a part of you. It
becomes innate. When this is developed on the subject of economics,
one can successfully run scenarios of financial undertakings through
his or her head, playing the “What will happen if…”game. Creative
expression with finance and business become common here. Failures
certainly can occur because one gave it a shot, but here again; a person
at this level knows there will be no gain without risk. Until this stage,
ventures into business ownership are often unsuccessful. The wisdom
with which to sense various outcomes isn't completely matured until
level eight. There is an expansive understanding of human nature
which is essential in successful commerce. Here is also a stronger
desire to serve, and a passion for their chosen field is present.
Level Nine
Self-Actualization
One now understands the deeper meanings surrounding money, and
how emotions play such an integral role in one’s experience with it. A
person at this level has mastered the emotional side of money. One
assumes a feeling of security and no longer worries about material
things. They can invest with confidence, review and adjust financial
plans, create an estate plan, and participate in some type of service.
They've often learned the skill of creating a flow of income that is not
dependent on their actions; the money comes in whether they show up
at work or not. This is called passive income. Business owners, Real
estate investors, and security investors, can fit in here if they have
achieved true meaning and purpose in their lives.
Level Ten
Illumination
Money becomes a natural means to support one’s purpose. As this
person goes out into the world money isn't a focus at all. People flock
to support this type of person because of what they represent; hope,
knowledge, and inspiration. Great religious leaders, great teachers and
other types of leaders are carried on a wave of contributions. Some who
attain this level are overcome with greed and fall back several levels.
Some on this level retreat happily to live with or without large
amounts of money. They have truly ‘transcended’ the material desires.
Of course, most of you who are reading this will fall somewhere in the
middle. Just getting to 6 or 7 is a real accomplishment. It is rare that an
individual will find all of his aspects neatly fitting within one level, but
one will be dominate. Having a map can show you where you might
want to go. If you want to go to the next level, hang out with others that
are on that one.
© copyright 2008 Kasey J. Claytor
Level One
Blame/Apathy
Level Two
Fear/Anxiety
Level Three
Desire/Craving
Level Four
Anger/Agression
Level Five
Courage
Level Six
Satisfaction
Level Seven
Acceptance
Level Eight
Wisdom
Level Nine
Self-Actualization
Level Ten
Illumination
Blame/Apathy
Level Two
Fear/Anxiety
Level Three
Desire/Craving
Level Four
Anger/Agression
Level Five
Courage
Level Six
Satisfaction
Level Seven
Acceptance
Level Eight
Wisdom
Level Nine
Self-Actualization
Level Ten
Illumination
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