There have been different models and maps of consciousness over time, including this one, where computer game developers are near the top of the chart. There are other maps and models, such as Ken Wilbur’s Integral Theory, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and others.

The Hawkins Scale, which is described in David Hawkins’ book, The Map of Consciousness Explained, describes shame as the lowest level of consciousness.

There is something about the nature of addiction that is tied to shame. Sin. We have an addiction based consumption society. I’ve personally experienced addictive impulses and full blown addictions to almost everything - food, sex, drugs, alcohol, sugar, gambling, social media, video games… That seems to be part of my human experience, but it mostly feels compulsory and negative when there is shame attached to it. Perhaps, at some root level, the addiction was to the shame.

That feeling of shame is something we’ve all experienced. It’s a nasty one, particularly when projected upon others, which is captured viscerally in Cersei’s Walk of Atonement from Game of Thrones. We see a lot of parallels out there in our society.

Society through the lens of our media appears to have an addiction to shaming others and outrage porn. The Radical Left. Shame. Shame. Shame. Donald Trump and his supporters. Shame. Shame. Shame.

At the same time, we don’t want to judge. People are where they are. Anger is a toxic acid that burns the vessel that contains it. So is Shame.

Ultimately, the wisdom of sages tells us, repeatedly, that the solution is letting go. There is No There. Surrender is the Way.