FOUR STAGES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL GROWTH

As we grow in years, hopefully we also grow in maturity.  The progression of this psychological growth underlies our movement from childhood to mature adult:

1. AS A CHILD my vulnerability makes me dependent on my parents, teachers and other adults.  This infantile DEPENDENCE is immature over-reliance on the authority of others.  It is not adult behavior.

2. AS AN ADOLESCENT my need to grow creates a counter-dependence toward those I must now break away from.  COUNTER-DEPENDENCE means resisting all authority no matter how appropriate or helpful the authority might be.  This is the opposite Direction of Error of dependence; it is also immature behavior (although as teen-agers we didn't see it that way).

3. AS A YOUNG ADULT my accumulated power and intelligence open up new possibilities for independent thought and action.  This healthy INDEPENDENCE initiates my capacity for mature self-direction and is part of everyone's movement out of adolescence.

4. AS A MATURE ADULT my experience, maturity and wisdom guide my power and allow an inter-dependence that can truly move the mountains of the world.   INTER-DEPENDENCE combines self-direction with cooperation, and results in the ability to work mutually with others to achieve common goals.  It is the psychological foundation for Complementary Wholeness.