Crazy Wisdom

In the developmental model of the chakra system the lower chakras are linked to the growth of the Infant Mind (early consciousness development), and the mid-level chakras come into play to activate our Adult Mind (consciousness now aware of others and their needs). They are two psychological expressions of consciousness (pre-personal and interpersonal) that exchange energies with each other, and are essentially linked together.

But these two psycho-emotional domains process human restrictions and rules very differently. The Infant Mind is easily flooded with emotional surges of undifferentiated energies easily placed out onto other people, or into the outer world. Psychological projection (projecting inner energies onto the outer world) and denial (the emotional refusal to admit what is obvious to the senses) act as two such foundational mechanisms in our early infant development. They both support the slow unfolding and integration of our psychological human complexity, and how we come to make sense of the outer world. The process by which we do this is called personal development, one that proceeds through definable stages.

Once we move further into the development of the Adult Mind (where we possess an individuated and relational consciousness) we will run into some significant challenges. Two of these hurdles are the mainstay of both religion and socio-political ideology: values and ethics. A value or ethical system works well in our early life because of our need for structure (“Tell me how to behave”), our social needs (adaptation to family and society), and spiritual longings (“Tell me what a good/admired/spiritual person should do or feel”) help normalize a person into their culture. Ideally, we should emerge into young adulthood with a mostly clear definition of what a good person is, how we should behave, what we should strive for, and how we should treat other people. This is essential to the early stages of personal development. That is, until these same values and ethics actually begin to hold back our spiritual development by restricting our personal and spiritual freedom.

The narcissistic and borderline personality structures leapfrog this early developmental process of normalization to family and society, and the acceptance of the value of other human beings, by going straight to the dissolution of values and ethics. This misses the essential humanizing step of growth where we come to realize the effect our actions have on others. That’s why the narcissist or borderline characters wound us so deeply; they are unable to treat us as having value, as deserving of care, and with respect. In contrast, a healthier human being transitions through these various growth stages, taking on values and ethics until such a time as these same values start to restrict, rather than support. Values (what is important in life, and what is not) and ethics (how I should behave towards others and towards myself) tend to shift significantly as the Adult Mind moves into closer contact with spiritual realities.

The actions of someone in transition from the world of accepted values and ethics and into freedom of thought and action is sometimes seen as Crazy Wisdom. An individual expressing crazy wisdom is someone who acts in unconventional ways that run counter to the normal person in society. This is different from the act of madness, or social dysfunction. In order to awaken to the higher states of spiritual awareness the certainties and assumptions that served us so well in the past  (other people telling us what to do, and how to be) fades into the background, to be replaced by … the freedom to be.

The freedom to be is not that same freedom sought by the infant to do what she wants, whenever she wants, consequence-free. Spiritual freedom grows out of values and ethics of our earlier life, akin to the lotus flower growing out of the mud. Crazy wisdom comes into our spiritual lives when we finally begin to express ourselves as truly and authentically ourselves, rather than unconscious echoes of long-dead teachers, or our parents. Crazy wisdom is the spiritual decision to act from your true and authentic nature, rather than unconsciously following the agendas passed on to you by others.

Crazy wisdom comes into your life when begin to embrace the freedom to be, the freedom to think for yourself, the freedom to feel your own emotions, and the freedom to deal with life on your own terms. The fundamental foundation of crazy wisdom will always the care taken not to hurt or exploit others, even as an expression of our spiritual freedom. One man has stated it clearly for us all. “My religion is very simple,“ said the Dalai Lama, “My religion is kindness.” In our personal development we will come to do what we want, but must do so lovingly, with care, and with respect for other people.

And how to differentiate between the spiritual narcissist, and the expression of crazy wisdom? Between dysfunction, and authentic personal development? Here’s one way to check: does the other consistently take you and your needs into account?

Ultimately, crazy wisdom is kindness in action… to ourself, and towards others. It is freedom from dualistic values, and a confrontative challenge to normalized, “acceptable” behavior. It strives to do no harm to others, whenever possible. And, it is our future.