nice.. thanks for the shift bit code/example..
I do have it set-up and wired that way..
but there is still a bug 'somewhere'.. and thats in the reverse part of it..
I start.. I light led_0 in group_0.. then led_0 & led_1 in group_0.. then led_0, led_1, led_2 in group_0....etc..etc.
until I get to led_3 in group_7.. (which is a total of 60 leds..not 64)...
so I need a way to 'check/stop' at 60 leds (count 59)... and then start to reverse.. starting at led_59 and turning one off consecutively..
the code I posted has a bug/error..
when I get to the led_0 the last 4 leds (led_55-59) all go on?...
then I start lighting up leds from the beginning again..
I cant seem to put my finger on the bug or what would be doing this?
thanks again for being patient and guiding me through how to use SPI for my first time.. I needed it. 
Im also hoping some of what I learned will apply to working on that RFID card reader/writer hardware I got..
anyways..
Id like to focus on the logic for lighting up each led consecutively, and then back down... this is outside of any SPI protocol logic.. and is just plain for() loop and if() conditional checking..right?