The exploration of consciousness has long fascinated theologians, philosophers, and psychologists alike. In modern literature, two prominent voices, David R. Hawkins and Frederick Dodson, have proposed comprehensive models of human consciousness. Hawkins’ “Map of Consciousness” and Dodson’s “Levels of Energy” or “Spectral Consciousness” organize human emotional and spiritual states into ascending levels of frequency, intention, and awareness. While these models originate outside of orthodox Christian theology, they contain parallels that can be critically examined, filtered through Biblical truth, and illuminated by the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures, in their divine authority, not only affirm that there are levels of spiritual maturity and perception but reveal that Jesus Himself embodied the highest conceivable consciousness—perfect union with the Father.
This post explores how Jesus Christ, the Son of God, personifies the ultimate state of spiritual consciousness. We will examine how the framework of Hawkins and Dodson aligns with or diverges from Biblical revelation, conduct word studies on critical Greek and Hebrew terms, and explore how believers can ascend spiritually in Christ, all while remaining grounded in the authority of Scripture.
Understanding Consciousness
David R. Hawkins’ Map of Consciousness, calibrated on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 1,000, ranks emotional and spiritual states, including shame, guilt, apathy, courage, love, and enlightenment. He proposes that destructive energies dominate individuals operating below the level of 200 (courage), while those above 500 (love and higher) are aligned with Divine truth and contribute to spiritual healing.
Frederick Dodson’s approach, articulated in Realms of Consciousness (2024), describes a spectrum of human energy and consciousness, ranging from shame and apathy to unconditional love and enlightenment. He categorizes human experience into three primary realms: Animal Consciousness (survival-based), Intellectual Consciousness (ego and thought-based), and Spiritual Consciousness (love, unity, and peace).
Both models aim to assist individuals in transcending base emotions and ascending into more expansive, loving, and peaceful states. However, they rely on subjective testing methods (e.g., kinesiology) and often reflect a syncretistic spirituality. The evangelical perspective holds that the only true path to ultimate spiritual elevation—union with God—is through the atoning work and ongoing Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Jesus as the Embodiment of Perfect Consciousness
Jesus Christ exemplifies the highest state of consciousness ever attained. The Apostle Paul writes, “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9, ESV). Jesus did not merely achieve enlightenment—He is the Light. His incarnate life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection reveal not only what it means to live in perfect communion with God but also how humanity is invited to be transformed into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Consider Jesus’ emotional spectrum. He experienced the full range of human emotions without sin—He wept (John 11:35), expressed righteous anger (Mark 3:5), rejoiced (Luke 10:21), and agonized in prayer (Luke 22:44). Yet His overriding spiritual state was one of perfect peace, submission, and love—traits found in the highest levels of Hawkins and Dodson’s models.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27, ESV). The Greek term for peace here is eirēnē (εἰρήνη), derived from eirō, “to join or tie together into a whole.” It implies not merely the absence of conflict but a profound sense of inner harmony—unity with the Father.
Consciousness Levels in the Teachings of Jesus
From Fear to Faith (Luke 8:22–25)
In Luke 8, Jesus calms the storm while His disciples panic. They cry, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” (Luke 8:24, ESV). Jesus rebukes the wind and waves, and then turns to the disciples: “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25, ESV). The word for faith here is pistis (πίστις), which denotes more than belief; it implies trust, fidelity, and inner conviction.
This narrative illustrates a leap in consciousness from fear (phobos) to faith (pistis), aligning with Hawkins’ transition from lower states (100-175) to courage and trust (200+). However, unlike Hawkins, who attributes this movement to internal calibration, the Gospel makes clear that faith arises from an encounter with Christ. As Romans 10:17 states, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (ESV).
From Condemnation to Compassion (John 8:1–11)
In John 8, religious leaders bring a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, seeking to trap Him. According to Mosaic Law, she deserves death (Leviticus 20:10). Yet Jesus says, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7, ESV). After they depart, He says to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11, ESV).
The Greek word for condemn is katakrinō (κατακρίνω), meaning “to judge down” or “to render a verdict against.” In contrast, Jesus lifts her up, embodying the higher spiritual frequency of unconditional love and grace.
This event represents a dramatic elevation in collective consciousness. The crowd operates at the level of pride (Hawkins: 175) and vengeance (Dodson’s Animal Consciousness). Jesus, however, models love and transformation (Hawkins: 500+), inviting both accusers and the accused into grace.
Levels of Consciousness and the Sermon on the Mount
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) offers a spiritual roadmap that remarkably parallels an ascent through levels of consciousness. Each Beatitude (Matthew 5:3–12) invites the hearer to ascend from self-centeredness to Kingdom-centeredness.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3, ESV). The Greek ptōchos (πτωχός) signifies absolute poverty or dependency. This humility contrasts with pride and self-reliance—a low-frequency state—yet is the very starting point of transformation: “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8, ESV). The word katharos (καθαρός) for “pure” implies unmixed, unadulterated intention—an elevated state of inner alignment with God. This state corresponds with Hawkins’ calibration of love and above (500+), where Divine perception becomes clear.
In essence, the Sermon on the Mount guides believers away from reactionary emotions (anger, lust, vengeance) and into divine consciousness marked by love, mercy, and reconciliation.
The Fruit of the Spirit as Evidence of Elevated Consciousness
Galatians 5:22-23 provides one of the most concrete Biblical lists of traits corresponding to elevated consciousness: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (ESV).
Each fruit reflects a high vibrational state:
Love (agapē, ἀγάπη) — sacrificial and unconditional love, mirrored in God’s own character (1 John 4:8).
Peace (eirēnē) — tranquility rooted in reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1).
Joy (chara, χαρά) — not circumstantial happiness, but deep gladness flowing from God’s presence.
These are not merely human achievements; they are manifestations of the indwelling Holy Spirit. As such, they far surpass the energetic or vibrational descriptions of Hawkins and Dodson. Elevated states in the Biblical sense are not self-attained, but God-given through grace.
The Transformational Path - Renewal of the Mind
Romans 12:2 commands, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (ESV). The Greek word metamorphoō (μεταμορφόω), translated as “transformed,” is where we derive the English term metamorphosis. It refers to an inner transformation akin to a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
This renewal process aligns with the spiritual ascent described in consciousness models, but the agent of transformation is not human will or awareness alone—it is the Spirit of God through His Word. As believers meditate on Scripture, pray, and yield to the Holy Spirit, they ascend spiritually, gaining insight, compassion, and discernment.
Consciousness and the Kingdom of God
Jesus consistently taught that the Kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope. In Luke 17:21, He declares, “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (ESV). The Greek phrase entos hymōn (ἐντὸς ὑμῶν) can be rendered “within you” or “in your midst.” Either translation points to a consciousness of the Kingdom—a spiritual awareness that transcends mere earthly perception.
To be “born again” (John 3:3) is to have one's spiritual senses awakened. Jesus says, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The Greek gennaō anōthen (γεννηθῇ ἄνωθεν) can be translated as both “born again” and “born from above,” indicating a transformation of consciousness that opens the believer to eternal realities.
Jesus and the Ultimate Consciousness, The Garden and the Cross
Nowhere is Jesus’ transcendence over lower states more evident than in Gethsemane and Golgotha. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experiences “anguish” (Luke 22:44), a word derived from the Greek agonia (ἀγωνία)—intense struggle or contest. He pleads, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, ESV).
Here, Jesus transcends fear and self-preservation. At the Cross, He says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34, ESV). Forgiveness amid torture reflects the highest level of consciousness conceivable. This is not merely emotional mastery—it is divine love in action.
Pitfalls of False Enlightenment
While both Hawkins and Dodson recognize the danger of misidentifying altered states as higher states, Biblical teaching warns even more explicitly. Satan masquerades “as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14, ESV). Spiritual deception is a real and present danger.
Paul writes, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1, ESV). Christians are called to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1) and measure all experiences against the objective truth of Scripture.
Moving Up the Scale: The Christian Path of Sanctification
While consciousness models suggest self-propelled progress, the Christian life is a journey of sanctification. As 2 Peter 1:5–7 states:
“Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love” (ESV).
This staircase of virtue resembles the ascending scale of consciousness, but with crucial differences:
Each step is a grace-enabled response to God's call.
The end goal is not personal transcendence but Christlikeness.
The power source is the Holy Spirit, not human energy.
From Glory to Glory
Both David Hawkins and Frederick Dodson present compelling frameworks for understanding human spiritual experience. However, their models fall short without the person and work of Jesus Christ. Elevated states of consciousness, detached from the Cross, are counterfeit ascents. Jesus alone embodies divine awareness, and through Him, believers are called to ascend, not through effort or enlightenment, but through grace.
As Paul affirms, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed [metamorphoō] into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV).
The ultimate consciousness is not a human achievement—it is a divine gift. Jesus Christ is not only our model but our means, our mediator, and our Messiah. Through Him, believers are lifted from shame to glory, from fear to faith, from pride to peace. Truly, “in your light do we see light” (Psalm 36:9, ESV).
References
Dodson, F. (2024). Realms of Consciousness: Levels of Energy Book 3. Reality Creation Publishing.
Hawkins, D. R. (2012). Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior (Revised ed.). Hay House.
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway Bibles.
Bauer, W., Danker, F. W., Arndt, W. F., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (3rd ed.). University of Chicago Press.
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