Becoming a self-actualized person

[Iamhappy]

Can someone please explain this concept to me? Thank you!

 

Also, as our society's preferences lean more towards specialist as opposed to generalist views, do you think it's possible or a lost cause to become a self-actualized person in this day and age?

 

How would one go about achieving this state of humanity?

 

And in so doing, how does one successfully maintain a balance between the esoteric and the mundane?

 

How do you not get caught up in the thinking? How do you incorporate what you've learned into being?

[Tony T]

1. "Can someone please explain this concept to me?"

 

Self actualization is the process of becomming the total person you were meant to be. Achieving your physical, social, mental and spiritual best. It happens over time and often it's a chance process. Rarely do people set out with the specific purpose of becomming self-actualized. The cocept was made popular in the 60's and 70's by such psychologists and writers and Abraham Maslow, Rollo May and Carl Rogers.

 

2. "Also, as our society's preferences lean more towards specialist as opposed to generalist views, do you think it's possible or a lost cause to become a self-actualized person in this day and age?"

 

Becomming self actualized is totally irrelevant to specialist and generalist views in our society. You simply become what you become.

 

3. "How would one go about achieving this state of humanity?"

 

Stay alive and don't worry about it. Be the best you can be while moving in the direction of your choice.

 

4. "And in so doing, how does one successfully maintain a balance between the esoteric and the mundane?"

 

The choice is yours. This stuff isn't controlled by anybody but you.

 

5. "How do you not get caught up in the thinking? How do you incorporate what you've learned into being?"

 

Again, your choice, your doing. You either get obsessed with it or you just enjoy this very short ride on Planet Earth. There is no self actualization in the grave.

 

I hope you incorporate everything you learn into being in some fashion, either by adopting that which you like or rejecting that which repulses you. Take control of your life and enjoy it. It doesn't last forever. And lighten up on your path. The universe is indifferent. You can choose to enjoy the humor in it or you can get real serious about it. And when it's over, I think you will have be rather glad you found more humor than seriousness.

[moimeme]

It's a bit of a tall order but not impossible.

 

The individual can

develop, then, into a fully functioning person who is open to the richness

of experience, who has few defenses, and who is self-aware.

http://sino-sv3.sino.uni-heidelberg.de/FULLTEXT/JR-ADM/chang.htm

 

Drawing from their definitions of self-actualization as well as from their

therapeutic experiences and observations, Maslow (1954) and Rogers (1961,

1977, 1980) defined certain unique characteristics of self-actualizing

people. Such a person, they maintained, has the following: an accurate

perception of reality, a high level of creativity, few defenses, a high

level of integration, personal autonomy, unconventional ethics, a need for

human kinship, compassion, humility, deep and harmonious interpersonal

relationships, a respect for others, a desire to establish new forms of

communications and intimacy, and an ongoing concern with personal growth.

In addition, Maslow (1954) highlighted these characteristics: spontaneity,

receptivity, a problem-centered approach to life, detachment, a fresh

appreciation of things, a democratic attitude, a unique value system, a

capacity to cope with circumstances, and a likelihood of having peak

experiences. Rogers (1961) added, moreover, these qualities: an openness to

nature and other people, an unconditional self-regard, an inner freedom,

authenticity, a yearning for a spiritual life, an indifference to material

comforts, a feeling of closeness to nature, and a skepticism of science and

technology.(my note: !)

http://sino-sv3.sino.uni-heidelberg.de/FULLTEXT/JR-ADM/chang.htm

 

 

do you think it's possible or a lost cause to become a self-actualized person in this day and age?

 

Certainly it's difficult to not be drawn into the petty minutiae of life, particularly when you spend huge amounts of your time in indentured servitude. One has to actively spend time regaining perspective about what's truly important. I used to go to a very placid spot in the middle of the city and sit and look at the tiny windows of the buildings and think about the even tinier desks inside with their piles of little papers and remind myself not to get sucked into false priorities - or at least over-worldly priorities.

 

How would one go about achieving this state of humanity?

 

Not a one-liner answer The article I quoted has a set of references at the bottom which look useful. And now I've hit 'Submit' and seen Tony's answer, I'd agree with his suggestions as well.

 

And in so doing, how does one successfully maintain a balance between the esoteric and the mundane?

 

I'm thinking you're thinking 'transcendental' more than 'esoteric' when you ask this? It is not easy. I have made the mistake of deciding to enter relationships with people who have little interest in matters of the spirit; eventually I lost sight of much that I need to exist fully. You really have to make an effort to spend time alone to reconnect with the important matters of life and it can be a huge struggle not to get sucked into the superficial shell.

 

How do you not get caught up in the thinking? How do you incorporate what you've learned into being?

 

You really have to work at it; devote time and effort. Even the Dalai Lama spends a lot of time in meditation; it needs to be refreshed and nurtured as much as physical health.

[moimeme]

Chang quotes Rogers as stating that;

 

This process, which is forward-moving, constructive, and self-enhancing,

becomes possible only when people receive positive regard from others and

learn to think positively of themselves. Each individual, according to

Rogers, has the capacity to be self-aware and to label what occurs

accurately; when one's need for positive regard is met, then, one's

tendency toward self-actualization becomes manifested

 

I'm interested in your perspective (and that of others, of course) on this.

[Iamhappy]

Tony, Merry - thanks for your response.

 

Going to those links now to see what kinds of treasures I come up with... (thanks, Merry )