Developmental psychology maps the stages of progression from infant to elder. Most of us know this as Maslow's needs hierarchy: physical needs assert themselves first (the need for food, water, shelter, security, etc.); emotional needs emerge second; and so on up to "self-actualization," which is the need to manifest one's potential in the real world.

What is not as widely known is that shortly before his death Abraham Maslow became interested in what he called "peak experiences." The study of these type of spiritual moments, done by Maslow, Jung and others, reveals that there are spiritual openings sprinkled throughout life. One takes advantage of these openings to the degree that one is developmentally capable. For example, puberty is a time of spiritual opening:

And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it...after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions...his mother said unto him, "Son, why has thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." And he said unto them, "How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 3:42-49)

Jesus took it upon himself to satisfy this spiritual urge, and he did it in a way that was developmentally understandable. One can only imagine what his parents did to help him incorporate his spirituality with his young age. Whatever it was, he didn't reemerge on the scene for another 20 years or so.

Indigenous communities have a more formal way to address adolescent spiritual opening. These societies believe that an adolescent must be reacquainted to his/her True Self at this time. Failure to do so means that the young man or woman is stuck with only their ego-selves -- half of their identity, half of their potential -- and missing the spiritual half of themselves that their meaning and purpose for being on planet Earth at all.

Another spiritual opening may occur at the end of high school. Here a young person wonders: Who am I? What am I doing here? What am I going to do? The existential questions hit with full force at this time, and our culture has few ways of satisfying the spiritual hunger evident within these young adults.

As the developmental progression continues, there is another psycho-spiritual dilemma about age 25. The young adult, assuming s/he has had some sort of vision quest to define more fully his/her unique reason for being, will return to the original family or tribal system for community validation. The tribe's job is accept and honor the young adult in order for him/her to function with authority within that society.

The next major opening occurs between ages 35-45. Until this age, it seems to be the norm that we identify who we are by what we do (I'm a carpenter, politician, lawyer, plumber, student, teacher, etc.). During what has come to be known as mid-life crisis, identification with one's roles begins to break down. The search for a more complete identity begins. In short, mature spirituality can now start.

There are state-specific spiritual openings as well. What I have noticed as a recovery counselor is that those who were abused as children have access to a spiritual escape hatch as early as 4 years old. These escapees build a "safe place" just beyond the door and retreat to their safe place when they are being assaulted, neglected or abused. It is in this spiritual location that they imprison their inner child -- the archetype that represents their splintered off innocence, playfulness, curiosity, etc. Paradoxically, it is also here that they imprison their spiritual connection to a Higher Power. As a result of all this, they are doomed to worshiping a variety of false gods, including drugs, work, bigotry, relationships, and so on. Given the above, it should be no surprise that the only cure for addictions is a spiritual program of recovery (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous). Nor should it be much of a reach to define addictions as "spiritual diseases," a disease born of worshiping the false gods, of seeking the Source of joy, meaning and purpose, and our ultimate true identity, in the world of illusion.

We have the beginnings of a viable spiritual community within the framework of the variety of 12-Step programs; we also have the means to bring recovering folks back to a point-of-beginning -- healed ego and conscious connection to their spiritual lives. Now we need to take that one step further: find a way to keep children not only from being injured in the first place, but also develop (or discover) a way to connect the pubescent child with his/her True Self. Mainstream religious ceremonies and organizations are not adequately accomplishing this task.

In the immortal words of Hilary Clinton, it takes a village to raise a child. This lands us back in the need for viable community. Where do we start? How do we encourage individuals to come together and create community? I'm not sure. Perhaps through our common heritage as children of the Earth. Next time, we'll explore that idea.