7 Levels of Judgment
The Seven Levels of Judgment is a construct introduced to the modern world by George Ohsawa, and expanded upon by Michio Kushi. We are all moving, at various rates of progress, toward higher consciousness. The way we behave, consume, and experience the world influences the rate of our progression, and also reflects our progress. The chart below can be used as a measure to assess our present state, and also as guide to setting goals which enhance our progress. Ohsawa saw our food as the foundation of our consciousness, since eating is the most basic thing that we consciously do. The quality of our food greatly influences the state of our consciousness, thus choosing food wisely is the most efficient way of progressing toward higher consciousness. But we are also influenced by everything that we experience in life, so progressing to a higher level in one area tends to pull us upward in other areas as well. Conversely, lagging behind in one area can retard our growth in other areas. The levels are inclusive of those below. For example, unity of spirit (level 7) does not exclude physical unity (level 1). Eating intuitively (level 7) does not mean one will not experience hunger (level 1). Difficulties that we experience on one level are what motivates us to move to higher levels. Love and Hate are both on the 3rd level. Unrequited love can inspire us to become more philosophical (level 6). The discomfort we feel from over eating moves us to seek a more agreeable fare. Thus, we can truly be grateful for our difficulties. (level 7) |
| Levels | JUDGMENT | EXPRESSION OF INFINITY | EXPRESSION OF CONSCIOUSNESS | PROFESSION | WAY OF EATING | WAY OF DYING | RELATIONSHIP |
| 7th Level | Supreme | Freedom | Self Realization, Tao, Satori, Nirvana, Universal Unconditional Love, Grace, Endless Gratitude | Happy Being, Fulfills all Dreams | Eats Anything with Great Pleasure, but Intuitively Chooses the Best Food | Spiritual Death, as in II Kings 2:9-11 | Unity of Spirit |
| 6th Level | Ideological | Justice | Philosophy, Religion | Thinker, Originator of Theories | According to a Religious or Philosophical Principle | Naturally, Long Lived Elders with Deep Gratitude | Unity of Purpose |
| 5th Level | Social | Peace | Economy, Morality, Ethics | Organizer | Conformity, Like the Majority | Ideological, Martyrdom | Unity of Communication |
| 4th Level | Intellectual | Truth | Science, Reason, Systems | Vendor of Knowledge | According to a Theory of Nutrition | Accidental, Lack of Clear Foresight | Unity of Knowledge |
| 3rd Level | Sentimental | Love | Literature, Poetry, Music, Art | Vendor of Emotion | Gourmet | Social, War or Crime | Unity of Emotion |
| 2nd Level | Sensory | Desire | Conditioned Reflexes, Tools, Crafts | Vendor of Pleasure | Over Eater | Psychological, Suicide | Unity of Desire |
| 1st Level | Mechanical | Adaptability | Unconscious Reflexes, Instincts | Slave, Salaried Employee | Hunger and Thirst | Biological Sickness | Physical Unity |