Navigating �

in Beloved Community

R A NK

based on the work of Arnold Mindell and �

the Process Work Institute

What IS

rank?

rank = relative status

Yes, RELATIVE status

Why care?

Because rank over�is like a drug.

We tend to compare UP, noticing when�we have �LESS rank than others.  

We often don’t notice when �we have MORE rank than someone.

 BELOVED COMMUNITY �

therefore depends on

AWARENESS�of our rank

 

and taking

RESPONSIBILITY��

for it.  

This is a

BIG job because

rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank

IS EVERYWHERE�rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank rank

Consider FOOD, for example.�

Rank these: •  Sushi •  Beef bourguinon •  Chitterlings •  Cheese soufflé •  Macaroni

Does your ranking depend on more than your taste buds?

Seattle Boston

New York Detroit

Oklahoma City Los Angeles

How about U.S. cities?

What is your ranking based on?

What about schools?

• Bunker Hill Community College • UCLA • Yale University • Pacific Lutheran • Texas A&M

Now, what about people?

Babies?

Can’t we just learn to treat everyone equally?

MAYBE: but we AREN’T all the same.

DIFFERENCES SIZE ABILITY

ROLE identity

experience

We can’t just get rid of rank.

In fact, rank is complicated enough for there to be

4 types.

Social rank 1

Institutional rank 2

Psychological rank 3

Spiritual rank 4

•  Race •  Class •  Gender •  Gender

expression •  Sexuality •  Physical ability

•  Intelligence •  Age •  Nationality •  Language •  Education •  Pedigree  

Social rank 1

•  Experience •  Tenure / Seniority •  Access to resources

(e.g. compensation, information, attention, etc.)

•  Role / Title •  Reputation •  Expertise

Institutional rank 2

•  Emotional stability •  Free of trauma •  No “diagnosis”

•  Freedom from addiction • Clear sense of self  

Psychological rank 3

•  Not attached to rank • Clear sense of purpose • Mindful, non-anxious

presence (here/now)

• Cosmic perspective • Deeply compassionate of

self and others

Spiritual rank 4

These work together

Spiritual

And shift continually

Social

Spiritual

Psychological

depending on context

So… notice

when you

•  feel at ease •  speak first or most •  ooze confidence •  ignore others’

feelings •  think issues are

other people’s problem •  take up space and

resources •  believe you’re

entitled

Is it time to check your rank?

Similarly …notice

when you

•  feel stressed

•  can’t find words

• doubt yourself

•  shrink

•  feel frustrated but don’t know why

•  give up or give in

Is it time to assert yourself?

We can’t get rid of rank  

 but we can be

AWARE

�of it  

and take

RESPONSIBILITY��

for it.  

 BELOVED

COMMUNITY �depends on

that.

To explore your personal rank, check out the

RANK INVENTORY

at�tinyurl.com/NERankInventory

This is a

Production

Developed and created by�Hilary Allen, Meck Groot and Deborah Holder. We encourage you to share this presentation. �We give permission for you to use it toward

growing awareness of and encouraging responsibility for differences of rank in community.