The Great Updraft

"This timeless, spaceless, everpresent state is your own true condition. You are already this endless fullness that you seek."The first episode of my Boundless Body Readings series for November 2026.A practical and profound meditation manual, my latest work The Boundless Body enables you to awaken from separation and embody the infinite wholeness you already are.In this practical and transformative meditation manual, I detail my clear, step-by-step method for deepening your body awareness—designed to guide you all the way to ultimate non-dual realisation.Pre-order The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/the-boundless-body

We have reached the last of the nine stages in Ego Development Theory, called the Unitive stage.This is where we consciously realise God, see through the temporary, limited and conceptual, let go of identification with our limited, finite self sense, and become one with the ground or origin of everything.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: https://www.spiritquesttours.com/destinationsEgo Development Series: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/acb0bdff-509d-44d2-8e8a-c71486319354Pre-order The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/the-boundless-body/Newsletter & free coaching session: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links200-show library...

Human ego development has an overall trajectory to it, and once you reach Ego-aware you have almost reached its end.This is a snippet from my 21/10 episode, The Ego-aware Stage of Ego Development (#167)

The defining features of the Ego-Aware stage of ego development, which we cover in great detail in my Wednesday 21/10 episode, The Ego-Aware Stage of Ego Development (#167)

We discuss the Ego-Aware stage of ego development, AKA the Magician, which signifies another huge paradigm shift.This is the first postautonomous or post-postconventional stage in Cook-Greuter's model, and the eighth stage overall. It constitutes at most 1.5% of the adult population.The hallmarks of this stage are its questioning of identity, meaning, language, permanence, solidity and other.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: https://www.spiritquesttours.com/destinationsMy full series on Ego Development Theory: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/acb0bdff-509d-44d2-8e8a-c71486319354Pre-order The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/the-boundless-body...

Here are some key Strategist personality traits that will help you spot people operating from this stage. This is a snippet from my 14/10 episode Strategist Stage of Ego Development (#166)

The Strategist stage of ego development gets its name primarily from the Strategist's complex, long-term, systemic thinking process, its sense of mission, and its ability to integrate multiple perspectives.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 14/10 episode, The Strategist Stage of Ego Development (#166)

The Strategist and Pluralist levels, though both Postconventional, are rather different levels of development, with distinct senses of self, worldviews, motivations and complexity of mind.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 14/10 episode, Strategist Level of Ego Development (#166)

In this episode, we're exploring the seventh stage of ego development: the Strategist, also known as the Autonomous stage. This is where we begin to see the bigger picture: not just our own development, but of humanity too. Strategists think in systems, integrate perspectives that earlier stages tend to reject, and become deeply interested in solving complex, long-term problems.We'll explore what distinguishes this stage, how it relates to the Pluralist stage, and its strengths and pitfalls.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: https://www.spiritquesttours.com/destinationsEgo development theory series: https://player.captivate...

At the Pluralist level, we become open to many more truth systems than before.Until this level, truth is rather simple. We tend to adopt one truth system and reject all others.Now we can no longer do this. This is both a huge expansion and potentially maddening!This is a snippet from my Wednesday 7/10 episode, Individualist Stage of Ego Development (#165)

What does it mean to move beyond conventional development? In this snippet, I explain how postconventional development involves seeing through your cultural conditioning, questioning the assumptions that shape your worldview, and recognising the limitations of your own perspective.This is a snippet from my 7/10 episode, The Individualist Stage of Ego Development (#165)

The Pluralist stage marks both a stage shift and the Conventional-Postconventional shift AND the move into the second half of the developmental arc.This is a huge watershed in your development and life trajectory.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 7/10 episode, Individualist Stage of Ego Development (#165)

In this episode, I explore the Pluralist/Individualist stage of development, the first truly post-conventional stage. We look at what happens when you begin questioning the beliefs, values and assumptions you inherited, seeing reality from multiple perspectives, and discovering a much more complex and subjective inner world. I also explore its potential pitfalls: relativism, indecision, cynicism and the loss of a stable sense of meaning.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: https://www.spiritquesttours.com/destinationsAll my episodes on Ego Development Theory: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/acb0bdff-509d-44d2-8e8a-c71486319354...

The Achiever level is when we usually get involved - or obsessed - with self-help for the first time. This fits very well with the typical Achiever traits.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 30/9 episode, The Achiever: Stage 4 of Ego Development (#164)

You could sum up the Achiever level in the two points that I make here. This is the heart of this level's psyche and behaviour.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 30/9 episode, The Achiever: Stage 4 of Ego Development (#164)

The Achiever level of ego development is where our identity becomes fully differentiated from others and our environment.At this level, we derive meaning from achieving goals, getting things done, improving themselves. We find our truth from science and rationality. We see ourselves as independent agents with our own likes, strengths, desires and choices.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: https://www.spiritquesttours.com/destinationsNext listen: Ego Development Series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/acb0bdff-509d-44d2-8e8a-c71486319354Pre-order The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/the-boundless-body/Newsletter & free coaching session...

I know a person who is a textbook, textbook example of the Expert. Here I give several examples of the Expert stage showing up in them. This makes the theory extremely concrete and will help you identify this stage in others and yourself.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 23/9 episode, The Expert Stage 3/4 of Ego Development (#163)

There is one simple driver behind the entire Expert stage of ego development: "I must know", "I should know".This one trait explains most of their personality and behaviour.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 23/9 episode, The Expert Stage 3/4 of Ego Development (#163)

"No one can tell an Expert anything they don't know already."Let's explain why the Expert stage gets its name. Perhaps Cook-Grueter said it best when she described the Expert's belief that they know everything.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 23/9 episode, The Expert Stage 3/4 of Ego Development (#163)

This is the Expert stage of ego development - the second of three Conventional levels, and the fifth stage of 10 overall.We can best sum it up by saying that the Expert's identity is fused with their knowledge. They define themselves via their expertise.The downside is that they can be extremely rigid and touchy in this regard. "No one can tell an Expert anything they don't know already," as Cook-Greuter puts it.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: https://www.spiritquesttours.com/destinationsNext listen: Ego Development series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection...

Some telltale signs of the Conformist stage: sensitivity to criticism, dependence on authority, and they champion their chosen group's values and motifs.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 16th episode, The Conformist Level of Ego Development - Part 2/2 (#162.2)

In this two-part episode, we describe the Conformist level of ego development, or Stage 3 in Cook-Greuter's Ego Development Theory.At this stage, we are defined by the groups we identify with. Our identity is literally fused and merged with them. Our identity has expanded from egocentrism to groupcentrism.This is both a staggering leap in consciousness and often a grave limitation.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey ToursEgo Development Theory - full series: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/acb0bdff-509d-44d2-8e8a-c71486319354Pre-order The Boundless...

Here we discuss why the "Conformist" Stage 3 of Ego Dev is called as such. Perhaps we could sum it up very simply by saying that at this stage we are defined by others.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 16/9 episode, The Conformist Level of Ego Development - Part 1/2 (#162.1)

Conventional levels describe the ego development of most adults in modern countries. This is the bulk of the bell curve, comprising 80% of the population.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 16/9 episode, The Conformist Level of Ego Development - Part 1/2 (#162.1)

In this two-part episode, we describe the Conformist level of ego development, or Stage 3 in Cook-Greuter's Ego Development Theory.At this stage, we are defined by the groups we identify with. Our identity is literally fused and merged with them. Our identity has expanded from egocentrism to groupcentrism.This is both a staggering leap in consciousness and often a grave limitation.Part 2 released Sunday 20th Sep at 9pm CET / 8pm UK / 3pm EST.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey ToursEgo Development Theory - full series: https://player.captivate...

At Stage 2/3 of Ego (the Opportunist), we become aware that others have their own needs and wants. As yet, we possess no real empathy or ability to cooperate, and see them as threats or competitors. Life is experienced as a jungle, a battle of wills, a zero-sum game.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 9/9 episode, Pre-conventional Stages of Ego Development by Cook-Greuter (#161)

You might be wondering why bother learning about early, preconventional ego development if most adults are long past it. Here's why.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 9/9 episode, Pre-Conventional Stages of Ego Development by Cook-Greuter (#161)

Preconventional ego development takes us from being newborns with zero identity and zero meaning-making capacity to being functional members of the society. This is a huge transformation, and constitutes the first 10-15 years of our life.This is a snippet from my episode Pre-Conventional Stages of Ego Development (#161)

We continue our series on Cook-Greuter's Ego Development Theory by covering the Pre-Conventional levels.These represent the base of the human being, the beginning of a self, the beginning of being able function in the world.Though they may seem primitive, it's crucial to realise these pre-egoic, pre-civilised, pre-socialised levels of the human psyche are the foundation of your mind and identity, and are still alive in you.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey ToursNext listen - Ego Development Series: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/acb0bdff-509d-44...

We tend to think that higher ego development simply means being happier. Our logic is that greater self-awareness, motivations and flexibility, a more complex worldview, and a closer relationship to truth must mean that we are happier!Therefore, higher is better.Not so fast...This episode is a snippet from my Wednesday 2/9 episode, Intro to Cook-Greuter's Ego Development Theory (#160).

Ego development simply means how the ego (i.e. our meaning-making function) complexifies over time. As it complexifies, so do our autonomy, freedom, flexibility, self-awareness, tolerance for differences and skill in interacting with the environment.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 2/9, Intro to Cook-Greuter's Ego Development Theory (#160).

This month we are studying ego development as framed by Cook-Greuter, so we ought to know what the ego is. It probably isn't what you think. This is a snippet from my Wednesday 2/9, Intro to Cook-Greuter's Ego Development Theory (#160)

We see the world, explain things, make meaning and find coherence in predictable ways as we mentally develop. This is not a random process. This is a well-studied and understood process.We go through predictable stages of meaning making, of sense making, which are somewhat correlated with age. This is called ego development.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey ToursNext listen: Ego Development Playlist - https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsPre-order The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/the-boundless-body/Newsletter & free coaching session: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links200-show library by category...

Beyond the personality typology system we prefer, what do they really tell us about who we are? What are the deeper lessons?This is a snippet from my Wednesday 1/9 episode, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems - Part 2/2 (#159).

Here we explore whether or not astrology is legit as a system for understanding human personality.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 26/8, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems - Part 2/2 (#159).

The Enneagram is the personality typology that has shown me the most about myself and others. Here's how.This is a snippet from my 26/8 episode, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems, Part 2/2 (#159).

In this mini-series, we’re going to look at the main personality typology systems and how to use them.Knowing your personality type helps you achieve a reliable snapshot of your personality and tendencies, boosting your self-understanding and ability to navigate others.Spirit Quest Tours: Save $500 on your next trip with discount code ROSS: Sacred Journey Destinations | Egypt, Peru & Turkey ToursNext listen: What is Psychology? (#143)All my episodes on Psychology & the Enneagram: https://deep-psychology.com/#pod-catsPre-order The Boundless Body: https://deep-psychology.com/the-boundless-body/Newsletter & free coaching session: https://deep-psychology.com/my-links

Here are the keys to the Myers-Briggs system, among the most popular personality typology systems out there.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 19/8 episode, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems - Part 2/2 (#158)

The masculine describes qualities typically embodied by biological males, and the feminine describes those embodied by biological females.But anyone – regardless of biological sex or gender identification – embodies both the masculine and the feminine to a certain ratio. Think of them as two forces or poles within us. When harnessed correctly, they each bring certain capacities. When allowed to coexist and dance together, we have a much greater repertoire.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 19/8 episode, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems, Part 1/2 (#158).

Are you an introvert? Use these key markers of introversion to find out.This is a snippet from my Wednesday 19/8 episode, Making Sense of Personality Typology Systems - Part 1/2 (#158)