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What is Essential in Life?
Posted by Tanya
on
6:04 PM
Abraham Maslow created the hierarchy of needs, a five step pyramid that leads to the highest state of being, self-actualization. Maslow believed the most basic needs are physiological, such as food, water, shelter, sex, and sleep. The next level in the pyramid is safety, meaning financial stability, health, well-being and personal security. The third level of the hierarchy stresses the importance of social needs, like family, friendship and intimacy. The fourth level of the hierarchy focuses of esteem. And at the final level of the hierarchy is what Maslow referred to as Self-Actualization. Maslow believes we cannot reach Self-Actualization until we have satisfied all of the other needs.
This makes sense; we need food, water, human contact, etc. But does everyone have the opportunity to reach Self-Actualization? If everyone does reach that level, does it last throughout their entire lives or do we fall back down the ladder we just climbed? Most people go through ups and downs in their life, they lose family, friends, they are unable to afford shelter, but then there are up swings where they are able to get control of things again and regain some of the things they lost. I wonder if we aren't just playing a mean game of Chutes and Ladders. We work hard just to slide down the ladder again.
I also have to wonder if we can boil such a large topic down to a small chart. I think Self-Actualization means something different to everyone--that is part of what makes us unique individuals. While everyone does need basic necessities like food and water, some people have a different idea of what else they need in their life. The nice thing behind this rigid idea is the knowledge that you are just one of the many people working towards this higher state of consciousness. Some people wait patiently for it, other are more interested in challenging life to a duel.
Peace, Love, and Good Juju,
The Disappointed Idealist
This makes sense; we need food, water, human contact, etc. But does everyone have the opportunity to reach Self-Actualization? If everyone does reach that level, does it last throughout their entire lives or do we fall back down the ladder we just climbed? Most people go through ups and downs in their life, they lose family, friends, they are unable to afford shelter, but then there are up swings where they are able to get control of things again and regain some of the things they lost. I wonder if we aren't just playing a mean game of Chutes and Ladders. We work hard just to slide down the ladder again.
I also have to wonder if we can boil such a large topic down to a small chart. I think Self-Actualization means something different to everyone--that is part of what makes us unique individuals. While everyone does need basic necessities like food and water, some people have a different idea of what else they need in their life. The nice thing behind this rigid idea is the knowledge that you are just one of the many people working towards this higher state of consciousness. Some people wait patiently for it, other are more interested in challenging life to a duel.
Peace, Love, and Good Juju,
The Disappointed Idealist
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