NonDuality and Music: Hip Hop Pt. 3
These stages of consciousness presented are adapted from the early work of Ken Wilber (using the element of emceeing although all four/nine contain depth), the associated Hiphop styles, and examples of artists. This is a brief overview of what the various worldviews may look at each stage.
The Archaic stage or Thug level is characterized by extreme egocentricity and an “I don’t give a fuck,” attitude. It has mainly to do with fulfilling ones survival needs. It parallels the infantile phase of life.(ex. 3-6 Mafia)
The Magical or Gangster style is characterized by a sense of invincibility, and the subjects ability to be able to control the objective world around them. This mirrors the gangster image of being able to do damage to ones self, community and world with no repercussion. (ex. 50 Cent, Notorious BIG)
The Mythical or Thug Angel stage is characterized by a need to supplicate a supreme figure outside of ones self, as the ego sees that it can no longer control things on it’s own. Many artists maintain the view that they need “God” or some other savior to free them from the (often times self imposed) bondage of their situation. They ask what can I do (prayer, wearing a particular image like a Jesus piece, or going to church) that will please this deity so it will do as I ask? (ex. Tupac Shakur, DMX)
These lower stages all involve an association with the body/material world as well as a focus on the self (self centeredness) and not others. These stages are necessary and are not to be overlooked as childish or seen as “beneath” other levels.
The Rational/Hip-popper stage is known by an understanding that the deific figure does not bring about salvation. It is able to take the role of the other; to see from another persons perspective. It begins to see things as and/both instead of either/or. Beginning of ethnocentric consciousness. (ex. Jay-Z, Kanye West)
The Vision Logic/Revolutionary stage symbolizes the ability to not only rationalize, but to look at rationality itself from the outside in, transcending it. It involves seeing the world as a spectator and knowing there is a difference between that and the ego. The revolutionary has a larger picture of the self and community, but has yet to incorporate a global sense of awareness. (ex. Mos Def, Common)
The Psychic stage begins to grasp that there is an underlying soul that exists beyond the ego. They are no longer identified with their personalities, but maintain their personality through which the soul flows. This is where one gains knowledge of “self”, by being attached to no concepts of tradition, person, or identity; seeing self in everything. Beginning of worldcentric awareness. (ex. Blackalicious, Pep Love)
The Subtle/God Body stage describes those who have found that there is an underlying essence, a depth to all of existence and seek to rest in that through whatever they do. This depth is nothing less than spirit itself, or one could say Hiphop. This essence is all pervasive, non-conceptual and is discovered through the quietude of the senses and mind.
This does not mean that these figures are timid. It does mean that these figures are dynamic, expressive and grounded in the vastness and calm the nature of reality. (ex. Saul Williams, KRS-ONE)
At the Causal stage there is no separation between self and spirit. It is understood not as a concept but as a reality that “ I am spirit”. This writer cannot identify those existing at causal stages within Hiphop Kulture as he is unsure if one has emerged.
It is this writers opinion that because Hiphop Kulture lacks effective practices and philosophies, as well as an inability to truly integrate body, mind and spiritual understanding with a Hiphop background we are unable to see the emergence of causal or non-dual stages of development within this culture. However, he does believe that Hiphop contains the necessary ingredients, as well as learned scholars of many developmental systems to make this a reality in the very near future.
