acceptance

“The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes

Maslow was unhappy with self-actualization being the final need in his pyramid – the pinnacle. During self-actualization, we are still focused on oneself. And generally speaking that selfish pursuit of self-fulfillment ends up feeling shallow. In a great paradox, by focusing on reaching self-actualization you can’t ever truly attain it. To truly be satisfied  and fulfilled as a person, we must focus on more than ourself – we must look externally. 

As such, towards the end of his life, Maslow added a new pinnacle to his hierarchy: the need for self-transcendence – following a very important conversation.

Maslow and Self-Transcendence. As we’ve just learned, self-actualization refers to fulfilling our own potential. Whereas, self-transcendence is about transcending the self to focus on something “bigger”. It is s a shift in value from the self to something greater – another person, society as a whole, the universe, etc.

Self-transcendence is the realization that you are a small part of a greater whole. and that you must take responsibility for the world and society. It is only in putting others ahead of yourself (through self-transcendence) that one is able to actually achieve self-actualization. 

Note: Maslow died before being able to develop the 6th pillar (self-transcendence) of his Hierarchy of Needs → Physiological needs > Safety needs > Love and belonging > Esteem > Self actualization.

the moment you realize you're not present, you're present. whenever you can step out and observe your mind, you're not anymore trapped in it.



– the power of now

when we remember that emotions are impermanent, just like everything else in this universe, it becomes easier for us to stand next to the river that is the human mind & watch as things flow by

“The path isn’t a straight line; it’s a spiral. You continually come back to things you thought you understood and see deeper truths.”  source: Barry H. Gillespie