In this website introduction, 16 emotional states/feelings from David Hawlins MD PhD Map of Consciousness are separated into two separate realms. Using musical structure, imagine an upper octave of 8 ascending “notes” of feelings, each with its own emotional tone and energy. Then add a lower octave of 8 more feelings, this time as distinct descending notes of emotion and energy. As your emotional ears becomes more attuned to precisely recognizing each of them, you become more “pitch perfect” in knowing more exactly what you are feeling. Equally important, your ability to cut through the noise of others words and messages and hear their core underlying feelings becomes more automatic. Conversely, as conversations become more more and more emotionally charged… who among us has not felt lost and confused about what is happening!

Imagine your Feelings As Musical Notes


  • Shift from one’s habitual/defensive/reactive pattern of responses (dictated by the energy lower Octave of emotions.)→ to the freedom of Powerful Upper Octave Emotions and responses

  • Recognizing more quickly what you’re feeling

  • Identifying conditions that trigger feelings from either the lower and higher Octaves to prepare for stressful events

  • Communicate your desires with more clarity

  • Feel more grounded, calm, and steady day to day

  • Having a powerful shared emotional language in significant relationships. (to avoid messages “Being lost in translation…”)

What transformations can occur as you begin to clearly “hear” your 16 emotions?


The Two Octaves & Their 16 Notes

Lower-octave states drain energy and narrow awareness. Upper-octave states generate energy and expand awareness.
The skill is learning the notes—and learning how to move upward.

Lower Octave - Ego Driven

“Draining”

  • Pride (polarizing judgements)

  • Anger (Frustrations)

  • Desire (Motivations)

  • Fear (Stress & Anxiety)

  • Grief (Losses)

  • Apathy (Depression)

  • Guilt (Regrets)

  • Shame (self-condemnations)

Upper Octave - Authentic Self

“Life Giving”

  • Peace (Unshakeable Calmness)

  • Joy (Gratitude)

  • Love (Compassionate Kindness)

  • Reason(Logic Objectivity)

  • Acceptance (Forgiveness)

  • Willingness(Letting Go & Surrender)

  • Neutrality (Humility)

  • Courage (Faith)


Having a map for guidance and direction

The Importance of Your Inner GPS/ Emotional Map for Direction in Life

  1. Learn the Two Octaves — recognize when you’re in lower-octave reactivity vs upper-octave clarity

  2. Hear the 16 Notes — identify what’s actually playing in real time (and what it’s costing you)

  3. Practice letting go — release the lower notes and move upward in the moments that matter


Private sessions for couples families or individuals developing the skills using the 2 Octaves real-life everyday applications. Practice use the Two Octaves/ 16 Notes to help you recognize what’s happening early, shift out of reactivity, and build a steadier Upper Octave emotional baseline. Specific targets might include:

  • Anxiety, fear loops, overthinking

  • Conflicts and hard conversations

  • Unsatisfying relationship patterns that keep repeating

  • Leadership pressure, burnout, decision fatigue

  • Guidelines when feeling stuck, heavy, reactive, or shut down

Brad is an experienced clinical Psychologist who helps people build emotional mastery using a clear framework and a set of essential practices. He teaches a two-octave model of emotional states (ego-driven lower octave vs High Octave Authentic-Self expression) .

In your work together, you’ll:

  • Identify the emotional “notes” you default to under stress

  • Learn the lower octave patterns that keeps you stuck (and how to shift)

  • Practice letting go so old triggers lose their grip

  • Apply it to real situations: hard conversations, conflict, anxiety, decisions

  • Build a personal plan you can actually use week to week


Contact Brad

Tell me what you’re dealing with and what you want to be different. I’ll reply personally.


You don’t have to stay stuck in the lower octave.

If you want help applying the Two Octaves and the 16 Notes to your real life—anxiety, conflict, patterns you keep repeating—reach out using the Contact Brad form above. Brad will reply personally.