Eight Concentric Circles

Eight Concentric Circles

We will be using a model my teacher developed which is entitled “The Eight Concentric Circles of Spiritual Development.” I will be folding into this model aspects of:

1. The Noble Eightfold Path

2. The Seven Stages of Purification

3. The Ten Oxherding Pictures

4. The Bodhisattva Path of Wisdom and Compassion

5. Five Stages of Emptiness

6. The Non-Dual Perspective

The idea of concentric circles is helpful because as we expand our awareness, instead of invalidating what we already discovered to be true, our vision encompasses an even greater view of reality. Although this or any model appears to be linear, we are typically working on several stages simultaneously.

The Eight Concentric Circles:

1. Resolution of Past Issues
2. Living Skillfully and Mindfulness
   1. Ethics
   2. Effective Communications
3. Facing the Realities of Life
   1. Aging
   2. Illness
   3. Death
4. Living With an Open Heart
5. Eradicating Our Perceptual Distortions
6. Learning to Live Effortlessly
7. Realizing Freedom
8. Living in Freedom