Stone Ladder of Creativity and Consciousness Want to get clear about where are you on the Stone Ladder of Creativity and Consciousness? The studio's measure of aliveness, creativity and conscious living. This is not a formula but a helpful tool for more accurate reality checks. A sincere desire to grow and expand must begin with an assessment of where we are and how we authentically respond to life. Think of it as your overall desire and will to create. How do you normally and typically respond to life? Rate yourself. Do not rate yourself based on where you'd like to be or wish you were. See below for a detailed description of the ratings. This scale is only useful if you are totally honest with yourself: Participation in Life 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Overall Interest 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Communication 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Persistence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Responsibility 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Success 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Creativity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Accountability 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Relationship to Self/Others 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Appetite & Ability to Feel Joy 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 What the numbers mean: 1   Never Tries None or almost no interest in anything whatsoever. uncommunicative, no tenacity, never feels responsible, no success in anything. No creativity, relationship to self: self pity, terrible anguish, lots of lying and cheating, never feels joy, careless, grief, depressed, agony. 2   Disenchanted Very little trying, unfulfilled expectations, deep resentment, lonely, victimized, insecure about everything, forced pretending, can hurt, covers up, untrustworthy, can't focus. 3   Lost Sight Passive Aggressive, overwhelmed, negative, little focus, not liked by others, fails a lot, blames others, attacks but cowardly, no luck, does not care about self or others, most dishonest, not a friend. 4   Overt Lack of Interest Destructive, broke but feels angry, a bully, tough guy, macho male or female, righteous, rare joy, arrogant, opportunities come but no commitment or follow up. smart ass, low success, will hurt even a friend. No accountability. 5   Normal Interest Day by Day, Active but never more than needed, Survival issues, still feel inadequate and insecure, some focus but not for long, has a few pals, barely can manage self, few ideas, all talk, can play victim but recovers. Your average person, little accomplished in life, never supports others truthfully. Rarely takes risks not even calculated. Manages that's all. 6   Strong Desire Decent commitment, means what he says, is satisfied with self, sociable, good partner, mostly cautious but will try hard, active, good ideas, feels good, hopeful, values life, not intensely brave, expects more than he/she gives, manages life relatively well. 7   Definite Enthusiasm Is in charge. Cares about growth. Participates often. Does what he says, learning is important, up front, courageous, very good friend, cares, loves, honest, truthful, goes out of his way for others, healthy, solves problems, clear, empowers, loves good friends, creative. Will put him/herself on the line. 8   Great Enthusiasm Loves life, life is a ball. Very creative all the time, very aware. Good Teacher, great friend, loves others. A bastion of strength. laughs a lot. Good hearted. Corrects mistakes, enriches others, very successful on all levels. Meets all challenges with great accountability. Very rarely down and never for too long. 9   Excited as a natural "home" State Life is all there is. Never down, compassionate, loves all life, highly creative and intelligent, miracle worker, above the rest, dedicated to being open, considerable talent, will never quit, a true teacher, has relinquished ego and judgment. Totally alive, positive and empowering with others. He/she makes sure others don't settle for less themselves either. Life is not about self anymore. Problems are sleeping solutions. Commitment at its highest and most potent expression. 10   One with Everything Completely awake. Empowered at all levels. Life and great things happen almost magically. In tune with everyone around you. People have to participate in whatever you do. Total self-expression. You literally express your "self." Highest integrity. No game playing whatsoever because it is perceived as ridiculous. No conflict between thought, feelings and actions. Total alignment. People transform their lives around you. You say it, it happens! Your energy level is unmatched. So what's your number? Calculate the average rating. Life does not start to get remotely fascinating and exciting until you hit 8. You can move up the ladder or down the ladder depending on who and what is around you for a period of time. A town, country or even a company and a relationship can be rated just the same using this scale. Anyone 8 and above can lift others up provided others are willing to shift their patterns of behavior honestly. The big shifting factors are: Integrity, Commitment, Participation, Contribution and Healing. If you are a 7 and your partner a 5, you will go down unless you clean up your integrity some more and move to 8.