Self Actualization
Self-actualization is a process first described by a psychologist named Maslow. There have been some additions
to the term since then, but, in general, it refers to people who welcome reality and facts rather than rejecting the
truth, who have high peak experiences, and are relatively tolerant of themselves and others. It seems that
humans have a natural tendency toward self-actualization, in order to develop their potential, so that they feel an
enhanced sense of self. This natural tendency encourages a sense of equivalence within the person. An
equivalence that gives the person a sense of inner peacefulness.
Self-actualization is considered to be a more mature way of comprehending life as it unfolds. Self-actualized
individuals seem to have a sense of purpose for life, genuine interpersonal relationships that are meaningful in
quality, not quantity, consequential activities, logical ways of thinking, ability to identify with higher human
values, and self-respect. Individuals functioning at this level seem to have moved beyond the ego-oriented needs
of Maslow’s hierarchy to identify more with their sense of higher self.
Further, self-actualized individuals tend to focus most of their time in the present. They have learned ways to
cope with past memories that might have been negative, letting go of the resentments and anger, or any other
negative emotions related to these memories. They seem to see life as a continuum, and seem to be more aware
of how their life is unfolding and how it is evolving toward a profound purpose, resulting in a more logical
acceptance of what is to come. They seem to be more in tuned with reality as it unfolds rather than living in a
fantasy world with unrealistic expectations and constant struggle to satisfy basic needs.
Self-actualized people tend to have inner-directed, independent, and self-supportive behaviors. They seem to
have less need for approval from other people because they have found ways to accept themselves. They
accept all of themselves, strengths or weaknesses, and have found a way to understand that only with
acceptance change is possible. They understand that no one can change though being in denial. They don’t
function from other people’s expectations and perceptions but only those of themselves. This does not mean
that they are not concerned, and neither does it mean that they are not connected with other peoples' matters,
but it does mean that their decisions are made from their own core of consciousness. People who have been
able to get to this level of maturation follow their own inner vision, have fewer needs and attachments, are not
very concerned with results, have their own definition of what is productive for them, and are aware of the
choices and the effect these choices have on them and the world. In addition, they are willing to take
responsible risks.
The main blockages to self-actualization are fear of challenge, irrational beliefs, and lack of knowledge about
self and surroundings, and the inability to apply the knowledge to make the self grow intellectually,
emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. To deal with the fear of challenges, we should understand that, like all
other emotions, fear in balanced form is useful for our survival and development. In the right capacity, fear is
an emotion we need, but too much of it can prevent us from doing things that might be necessary or productive
for our life. It could also prevent us from doing things that might seem uncertain or risky.
There are rational and irrational fears. For example, fear of snakes is a rational fear that keeps us safe from
being hurt by them. However, we have to learn ways to let go of our irrational fear. This can be accomplished
by learning the root of the fear, visualizing how our life will change if we challenge that irrational fear;
challenging the irrationality with more rational ways of thinking, and finally with facing the fear. Reasonable fear
is a necessity, unreasonable fear is an obstruction.
When it comes to self-actualization, behaviors that go against the individual’s actualizing predisposition generate
inadequacy in the sense of self. Individuals sometimes use defenses to escape the fear or discomfort they may
face in their lifetime. They may twist perceptions of reality to reduce what they see as a threat, or they can act
in ways that avoid becoming aware of the threatening experiences, for example, by ignoring or denying it. We
can see people who blame their failures on causes outside themselves while crediting themselves for their
successes. These behaviors may lead to self-handicapping strategies that prevent the individual from walking
away from that which is unproductive, the comfort zone, and the zone that the individual gets used to but is
unhealthy for her. This by itself creates the inability to move up the ladder of being toward maturity.
Self actualizes are followers of their own essence and create a healthy life for themselves and as a result have
the ability to give back more to the world without even trying to do so.
Roya Rohani Rad, MA, PsyD
June 2007
Copyright@2007RoyaRohaniRad
Self-actualization is a process first described by a psychologist named Maslow. There have been some additions
to the term since then, but, in general, it refers to people who welcome reality and facts rather than rejecting the
truth, who have high peak experiences, and are relatively tolerant of themselves and others. It seems that
humans have a natural tendency toward self-actualization, in order to develop their potential, so that they feel an
enhanced sense of self. This natural tendency encourages a sense of equivalence within the person. An
equivalence that gives the person a sense of inner peacefulness.
Self-actualization is considered to be a more mature way of comprehending life as it unfolds. Self-actualized
individuals seem to have a sense of purpose for life, genuine interpersonal relationships that are meaningful in
quality, not quantity, consequential activities, logical ways of thinking, ability to identify with higher human
values, and self-respect. Individuals functioning at this level seem to have moved beyond the ego-oriented needs
of Maslow’s hierarchy to identify more with their sense of higher self.
Further, self-actualized individuals tend to focus most of their time in the present. They have learned ways to
cope with past memories that might have been negative, letting go of the resentments and anger, or any other
negative emotions related to these memories. They seem to see life as a continuum, and seem to be more aware
of how their life is unfolding and how it is evolving toward a profound purpose, resulting in a more logical
acceptance of what is to come. They seem to be more in tuned with reality as it unfolds rather than living in a
fantasy world with unrealistic expectations and constant struggle to satisfy basic needs.
Self-actualized people tend to have inner-directed, independent, and self-supportive behaviors. They seem to
have less need for approval from other people because they have found ways to accept themselves. They
accept all of themselves, strengths or weaknesses, and have found a way to understand that only with
acceptance change is possible. They understand that no one can change though being in denial. They don’t
function from other people’s expectations and perceptions but only those of themselves. This does not mean
that they are not concerned, and neither does it mean that they are not connected with other peoples' matters,
but it does mean that their decisions are made from their own core of consciousness. People who have been
able to get to this level of maturation follow their own inner vision, have fewer needs and attachments, are not
very concerned with results, have their own definition of what is productive for them, and are aware of the
choices and the effect these choices have on them and the world. In addition, they are willing to take
responsible risks.
The main blockages to self-actualization are fear of challenge, irrational beliefs, and lack of knowledge about
self and surroundings, and the inability to apply the knowledge to make the self grow intellectually,
emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. To deal with the fear of challenges, we should understand that, like all
other emotions, fear in balanced form is useful for our survival and development. In the right capacity, fear is
an emotion we need, but too much of it can prevent us from doing things that might be necessary or productive
for our life. It could also prevent us from doing things that might seem uncertain or risky.
There are rational and irrational fears. For example, fear of snakes is a rational fear that keeps us safe from
being hurt by them. However, we have to learn ways to let go of our irrational fear. This can be accomplished
by learning the root of the fear, visualizing how our life will change if we challenge that irrational fear;
challenging the irrationality with more rational ways of thinking, and finally with facing the fear. Reasonable fear
is a necessity, unreasonable fear is an obstruction.
When it comes to self-actualization, behaviors that go against the individual’s actualizing predisposition generate
inadequacy in the sense of self. Individuals sometimes use defenses to escape the fear or discomfort they may
face in their lifetime. They may twist perceptions of reality to reduce what they see as a threat, or they can act
in ways that avoid becoming aware of the threatening experiences, for example, by ignoring or denying it. We
can see people who blame their failures on causes outside themselves while crediting themselves for their
successes. These behaviors may lead to self-handicapping strategies that prevent the individual from walking
away from that which is unproductive, the comfort zone, and the zone that the individual gets used to but is
unhealthy for her. This by itself creates the inability to move up the ladder of being toward maturity.
Self actualizes are followers of their own essence and create a healthy life for themselves and as a result have
the ability to give back more to the world without even trying to do so.
Roya Rohani Rad, MA, PsyD
June 2007
Copyright@2007RoyaRohaniRad
 |
 |