Stages of Faith – Moving Into Higher Consciousness: Stage 6 & Stage 7
This article is the sixth and final piece in a series exploring the stages of faith development—how they shape our emotional, psychological, and spiritual growth. Throughout this journey, we’ve examined how unresolved wounds and past conditioning can keep us stuck, and how healing them allows us to create a future filled with love, joy, and purpose.
As we reach Stages 6 and 7, we move beyond personal belief systems and step into a higher state of consciousness, one that embraces complexity, interconnectedness, and deep spiritual wisdom.
Stage 6: Conjunctive Faith – Holding Complexity and Truth
In this stage, as described by James Fowler, we move beyond the binary thinking that often characterizes earlier stages of faith development. Stage 6, or what Fowler refers to as Conjunctive Faith, is a profound shift in how we perceive the world and ourselves. Published in his groundbreaking work in 1981, Fowler noted that this stage was rare and difficult to describe, but it’s becoming increasingly more common in today’s world.
The essence of Stage 6 is the ability to simultaneously hold multiple perspectives. It’s a level of spiritual maturity where the individual no longer sees life in terms of black and white, right or wrong. Instead, they can see the complexities of life from various angles, embracing paradox and ambiguity. This isn’t just an intellectual understanding—it’s a lived experience. The hallmark of Stage 6 is an awareness of life’s intricacies, where all sides of a situation can be held in balance, even if they contradict each other.
At this stage, the individual is willing to let reality speak for itself. There is a deep acceptance of life as it is, regardless of how it may impact one’s sense of security or self-esteem. Unlike earlier stages, there is less denial. A Stage 6 individual accepts the reality of their life’s circumstances, including the painful and difficult parts, and works through past issues and traumas with openness and vulnerability.
What’s exciting is that Stage 6 is becoming more prevalent today. Many of us are actively engaging with our inner world and doing the difficult emotional and spiritual work required to move past our childhood wounds. We are choosing to live in the reality of our lives, to acknowledge our challenges, and to no longer sugarcoat the truth. This collective shift is contributing to a critical mass of individuals who are evolving into a new way of being in the world, one that holds space for complexity, growth, and healing.
Stage 7: Universalizing Faith
The next stage, Stage 7 (or Universalizing Faith), takes us to an even higher level of consciousness and spiritual maturity. Fowler was hesitant to describe Stage 7, as he had not encountered anyone who embodied it at the time of his writing. However, Stage 7 represents a profound shift in how one relates to humanity and the entire universe.
At this stage, the individual’s faith transcends personal belief systems and extends to embrace all of humanity—and all living beings. The person in Stage 7 is not bound by the limitations of social, religious, political, economic, or ideological systems. Instead, they embody a deep sense of unconditional love and unity consciousness, realizing the interconnectedness of all life. Those who embody Stage 7 set the tone for liberation from the constraints of these societal structures, promoting a life of inclusivity, compassion, and love.
The question then arises: How do we move into this stage of consciousness, especially in a world that often feels divisive, chaotic, and filled with suffering? It can seem nearly impossible to maintain a sense of unconditional love when we witness greed, violence, and injustice. Yet, Stage 7 challenges us to see beyond the current human narrative and envision a different way of being. This requires a shift in consciousness—one that moves beyond the temporary state of humanity’s current condition and embraces a higher vision for the planet.
Many believe we are being prepared for Stage 7, and that the expanding vibrations on Earth are guiding us toward this new level of awareness. Some see it as a cosmic alignment, where the planets and stars influence the energy that is being downloaded onto the planet. Others view it as a natural consequence of the chaos theory: the idea that stagnation inevitably leads to disruption, which in turn leads to transformation. There are also those who see the entire human experience as a hologram—a learning experience we’ve chosen to partake in. Whatever your personal perspective, it’s clear that something profound is happening.
The important thing to recognize is that this transformation is happening, and we have the opportunity to embody a new way of thinking, feeling, and being—one that is more loving, expansive, and inclusive than anything we’ve experienced before.
As the Hopi people say, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
This is the call to action for all of us to rise into a new consciousness. Stage 7 is not some distant ideal; it’s a reality that we are all capable of embodying right now, through our choices, our actions, and our hearts. The shift is already happening, and the invitation is clear: Will we step into this new way of being and help create a more loving, unified world?
The journey toward higher consciousness is not always easy, but it is ultimately the path to healing, growth, and a deeper sense of connection with all of life. The stages we’ve explored throughout this series are not linear, but rather interconnected steps toward becoming the highest, most loving version of ourselves. By embracing the challenges, embracing our past, and embracing the present moment, we create space for the transformation that will bring us into a more harmonious and enlightened way of being on this planet.
Let’s continue to move forward together, toward a future where love, compassion, and unity guide our path.
Many blessings,
Maureen
Maureen Higgins owns Wings of Freedom, an alternative counseling and coaching business. She helps people be their best selves and recognize they are part of the Divine. Maureen also founded School for Higher Consciousness. Maureen has developed numerous energetic healing systems you can learn through the school’s workshops. You can also experience them through her energetic healing audios.