Transpersonal Dynamics » Maslow

Maslow’s hierachy of needs revisited

Nic — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:51:18 +0000

Maslow’s hierachy of neeeds is a model that explains people’s needs and motivations and places them on 5 levels.

For those who haven’t come across the model, it is usually drawn as a triangle with physiological needs at the base, and then, as we move up the triangle, we have levels that relate first to safety, then love and belonging, self esteem and finally self-actualization, which Maslow defined as become everything that one is capable of becoming.

And this is where I have a problem with the model. If we are to become everything that we are capable of becoming, surely this includes the motives expressed in the previous levels, or at least where they are relevant to each of us. (A hermit living in a cave in the Hymalayas will not have the same ‘lower level’ needs as someone living in the West, with a family to feed and working in the corporate world.)

For most of us, if our aim is become everything that we are capable of becoming, we need to include all aspects of our lives in an integrated whole and that is what Transpersonal Dynamics is about.

E=MC4

Nic — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:26:57 +0000

Huh? Have I redefined physics? Not at all, just borrowed a famous equation!

To rephrase Einstein, E=MC4; Effectiveness = Motivation x Commitment x Concentration x Clarity x Consistency, where motivation and commitment both include action as well as positive thinking, concentration is focus and clarity is having a clear objective.

Whilst the Secret and the Law of Attraction are deserverdly popular – they have focused people’s attention on the important part their beliefs play in their daily lives, they miss out on the action element. Empowering beliefs and positive thinking on their own are not enough, otherwise we’d all win the lottery! Taken to its logical conclusion, if positive thinking and beliefs were all that is required, you needn’t even take the action of buying a ticket! But we know that’s absurd, we know that action and effort are required.

Where does effort come into the equation above? Effort is a combination of the energy that comes from being committed and motivated and the repetition of consistency.

Maslow, in his well-known hierarchy of needs, says there are two processes necessary for self-actualization: self exploration and action. It’s not an either/or, it requires both. So, what are the characteristics of self-actualized people? According to Maslow (1) they:

Embrace reality and facts rather than denying truth.
Are spontaneous.
Are interested in solving problems.
Are accepting of themselves and others and lack prejudice.

(1) Maslow, Abraham H. “A Theory of Human Motivation.” (1943) PDF retrieved 14 December 2009

In the next post we will be looking more closely at Maslow’s hierachy of needs and suggesting a new model.

Transpersonal Perspective

Nic — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:23:38 +0000

At Transpersonal Dynamics, we emphasise the need to look at both material and spiritual dimensions of a person’s being. This is entirely consistent with, for example, the work of Maslow.

In his well-known hierarchy of needs, he described level 5 – self-actualization, as the final level of psychological development, achieved when all basic and mental needs are fulfilled and the person can develop their full potential. Whilst many organisations and leaders quote Maslow when talking about motivation, they typically express the view that level 5 issues are not the concern of organisations.

At Transpersonal Dynamics we believe otherwise, that in fact the key players in organisations who want to take the lead into the next decade have to identify what really matters to them, where their passion lies and how they can best serve their organisation and humanity as a whole, all Level 5 transpersonal issues.

Organisations, their leaders and managers will have to become comfortable not just talking about these issues, but providing their employees with the opportunities to develop at this level, if the employee wants to.

Our perspective emphasises the importance of personal development in both physical and metaphysical areas, working as individuals on our own and when interacting with others. To quote Roberto Assagioli:

“At this time, it is the right course and our plain duty towards ourselves, towards others and towards God, not only freely to accept Spiritual Joy but intentionally to awaken it within ourselves and to preserve and increase that which we have obtained.”