Sheep

It would be beneficial at this stage to understand that the progression of consciousness to a more inclusive expression is on a continuum, and that seeing one expression of consciousness as better or worse than another is a judgment made via our separate self-identity and not the universal consciousness that is its very underpinning. 

With that in mind we begin our discussion of consciousness at the level of the Sheep category:

Man having come out of animal consciousness begins her life as identifying herself as a separate-self.   The perceived separate-self however is not experienced as wholesome, but rather as compartmentalized.  Many ideas are found within the stream of consciousness each vying to be the dominant identity. It is not at all matured.   I am loved.  I am not loved.  I hate so and so.  I love so and so.  I am good.   I am bad.  I am this or that and so on.  These ideas become separate identities as they each flow into the consciousness at different times.  At times it seems that I love so and so and I hate so and so come into consciousness so swiftly as to share the overall identity in the moment although minute time separation is undoubtedly there.  Self-identity is shifting between one thing than another for the Sheep, and this consciousness is so caught up within the flow that it is pushed and pulled by thoughts, emotions, and imaginings thoroughly enough that there is no cohesive self to identify with.   In truth, there is a loosely perceived central self we call “me” but for the most part there are just a lot of micro “me identities” in a changing field of self-identity.

Hence the lack of centeredness is the aspect that dominates the field of focus for this group.  Needless to say, the inability to feel centered accentuates the fear of isolation inherent in the separate-self.  This self has no real footing on which to stand.  The main objective of this group becomes a search for security.  

This security is found in following what is seen as group belief. Here we have the individual who becomes a member of a political, social, religious, economic or any other likeminded crowd for the protection from separateness felt at an intrinsic internal level.  The key here is that security is found through group association.  

The individual is very malleable without having a strong center, but rather an identity that is easily influenced by ideas and people around him.  This identity is very resistant to questioning or criticism, as a significant challenge to the group identity often results into a breakdown of the security of the separate-self. This in turn can lead to a breakdown of mental stability.

Yet, this strategy works for the most part to keep our Sheep in a kind of controlled comfort.  As time goes on, however, security becomes not enough.  If this way of being goes on too long it begins to produce a life that becomes more and more stagnant.

Please note, Sheep can also be identified with non-conformity, basically being against group identification, but this non-conformity is still attached to group belief only as a reactive resistance to it.