LEVELS OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS 1.

Acquaintance Becoming acquainted depends on previous relationships, physical proximity, first impressions, and a variety of other factors. If two people begin to like each other, continued interactions may lead to the next stage, but acquaintance can continue indefinitely. 2. Buildup During this stage, people begin to trust and care about each other. The need for intimacy, compatibility and such filtering agents as common background and goals will influence whether or not interaction continues. 3. Continuation This stage follows a mutual commitment to a long-term friendship, romantic relationship, or marriage. It is generally a long, relative stable period. Nevertheless, continued growth and development will occur during this time. Mutual trust is important for sustaining the relationship. 4. Deterioration Not all relationships deteriorate, but those that do tend to show signs of trouble. Boredom, resentment, and dissatisfaction may occur, and individuals may communicate less and avoid self-disclosure. Loss of trust and betrayals may take place as the downward spiral continues, eventually ending the relationship. (Alternately, the participants may find some way to resolve the problems and reestablish trust.) 5. Termination The final stage marks the end of the relationship, either by death in the case of a healthy relationship, or by separation. FACTORS OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP The discovery or establishment of common ground between individuals is a fundamental component for long lasting interpersonal relationships. Loss of common ground, which may happen over time, may tend to end interpersonal relationships. For each relationship type, essential skills are needed, and without these skills more advanced relationships are not possible. (For example partnership needs the skills of friendship and teamwork skills). Successful communications cannot be more important, particularly in a matrimonial relationship. In today's world where both the husband and wife are working full time, things happen during the course of a regular day. But it is only at the day's end when two people are relaxing that successful communication will take place. It will not matter how ordinary, since even in ordinary conversation you can learn a lot about another person, being sympathetic will be important to them, what annoys them, and what they find pleasurable. This is key to improve interpersonal relationships. Maybe your spouse is depressed about something, whether financial stress, job demands, dealing with the kids or anything else.

How much time do you provide for your partner to improve the mood? If you can answer "none or not much", then you may be running the risk of your relationship beginning to fall apart. The failure of the relationship will not occur overnight, but it is all of the "ignored opportunities" to show that you care, are understanding, and will support your spouse that will all add up over time. Respect is also a key ingredient of any relationship. If you do not feel you can trust someone, your communications with them will be brief or nonexistent. There is no real relationship there. That type of relationship may be fine for the person at the gas station, but how many people have that kind of relationship with their spouse? The real answer to that question will probably scare you, but you do have control over that and the fate of that relationship, even your marital relationship, rests squarely in your hands. Trust is another key element of any relationship, which goes hand in hand with respect. You need to feel you can trust the person you are communicating with. If you don't have a level of trust with that person, even your spouse, then your communications will reflect that lack of trust. You won't elaborate on things you say, you won't go into details, and you will subconsciously leave out information that may leave you vulnerable to a future rebuttal or even attack from the other person. Many times, especially in a marriage relationship, the three key elements of a relationship (communication, trust and respect) slowly start to erode over time. It is typically not a conscious thing, but it can happen if both spouses are not aware that they need to keep all levels of these elements at peak values consistently. To improve interpersonal relationships you must make time for those that are important to you.

Levels of Self
In terms of ontology off levels of the individual self, Rudolph Steiner proposed has no less than four versions, based on combining the seven-fold Theosophic model with the three-fold Rosicrucian triad of body, soul, and spirit. Dividing the Rosicrucian triad of body, soul, and spirit into three gives nine principles altogether. This is corelated with the Theosophical seven-fold model to give a quaternity of physical body, etheric body, astral body, and consciousness ("ego"), with four future stages:
3-fold SPIRIT 9-fold Spirit Man 7-fold Atma 4-fold future stages /

Life Spirit Spirit Self Spiritual Soul

Buddhi Manas Ego

angelic consciousness

Ego

SOUL

Intellectual Soul Sentient Soul Astral body Soul Body Astral body Etheric Body Physical body

BODY

Etheric Body Physical body

Etheric Body Physical body

PHILOSOPHICAL VIEW OF MAN

When he distinguishes himself from animals, then he becomes a human. When he realises that he is the highest of all creation, then he becomes a human. When he develops his intellect, then he becomes a human. When he becomes an example for others, then he becomes a human. When he transcends the common limitations through his wisdom, then he becomes best of humans.