I’ve just finished reading and highly recommend “The 7 Levels of Wisdom” by Mónica Esgueva. And in this review I’ll share why.
Westerners in general, and especially Americans, are awash in an aggressively growing self-improvement culture that elevates “experts” who promote strategies and tools for addressing and fixing all aspects of one’s life. Unfortunately, much of this advice draws on an often flawed mix of recipes for success.
True, we have been witnessing a rekindling of interest in spirituality. For example, there are many who have benefited from immersing themselves in Eastern philosophies and spiritual practices, attaining meaningful benefits. Yet, there are also many well-intentioned people who parrot but fail in achieving advice often attributed to Gandhi to “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
To be fair, Westerners aren’t adequately prepared to be the change, especially as the culture and overriding belief systems serve as obstacles. As well, meaningful guidance has been lacking.
Until now.
Against a backdrop of an increasingly aggressive ego-driven and turbulent world, Mónica Esgueva provides that guidance as she applies her training in diverse Western disciplines as well as her experiences of Eastern philosophies and spiritual practices to show the path forward. In this book, as well as her other speaking, videos, writing, and coaching, she teaches the importance of letting go of our attachments to ego dominance in order to pursue personal sovereignty, elevate consciousness, and develop sensitivity to the interconnectedness of everything.
Her model of the levels of wisdom draws on research in human development, and adult development in particular. As well, the progression of wisdom she presents is akin to the Maslow Hierarchy in which growth cannot move upward until the demands of lower-level needs are met. In addition, her framework also uses as its main base a well-researched model of change in how people construct meaning as they age.
She identifies the levels of wisdom as Conformist, Expert, Achiever, Individualists, Strategists, Alchemists, and Unitives; and for each level she presents the characteristics and changing orientations to the world. As well, she acknowledges the reality that not all people will achieve higher levels, with only approximately 30% of people growing beyond the first three levels. Yet, while she brings to this work her lofty aim to make a case for the evolution of consciousness, she also stresses unity, and she challenges readers to take on the challenges of personal growth.
To this end, while the levels of wisdom is at the core of her book, she devotes significant attention to perspectives and practices that not only cultivate wisdom, but also help to shape our development. And as we raise our consciousness we gain appreciation for the essential oneness of everything in our world, and experience increased compassion.
In probably what is one of the most familiar concepts for Westerners, she uses the metaphor of the matrix to frame how letting go of attachments and society’s programming allows us to elevate our consciousness and see the world as it really is. In developing this recognition, we come to increasingly realize the world is not within our control. So to attempt to exert control – or make things other than what they are – will only result in suffering. Rather, we can begin to see that the world, while it has its own flow, brings to us situations and experiences that serve as lessons for our personal and spiritual growth.
Certainly this book is a fascinating, rich, and compelling read — but it is even more. On the whole, it is a transformational guide that can challenge you to put in the work to develop practices to make positive changes in your daily life. And through those changes live a purposeful life and experience growing serenity and happiness. So, that you ultimately do become the change, serve as an example for others, and contribute to making the world a friendlier place.
Thank you for reading this review. I hope you’ll read “The 7 Levels of Wisdom” so you can benefit directly from what the Mónica has to share.
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