Maslow's Sixth Step In The Hierarchy Of Needs

[TJ Reeves]

Abraham Maslow died before he could get a lot of people focused on the sixth step of the hierarchy of needs: the need for transcendence.

For a few months I thought a lot about what that step would look like practically, but nothing stood out.

Then I read a book about the relationship between vulnerability and attracting hot women called Models.  

The next morning I woke up with the realization that transcendence would be the entire hierarchy flipped upon itself, wherein one does the opposite of what they did to climb up the hierarchy.

What you end up with is a roadmap to personal liberation. 

Essentially we find that people climb up the hierarchy, strengthening the ego and strengthening their external influence. At every step, it seems like that step is the most important thing in the world. At the top of what we typically think of as the hierarchy, one may realize that there is no where else to go unless one looks for something other than the self. The process of becoming more vulnerable and loving then takes place. By the end, one goes as far as even giving one's life fully to the world through action (Be careful: I'm not necessarily talking about martyring oneself!)

Which answers what had confused me about transcendence: it's not like you totally stop doing whatever it is that you do in every day life -- its more about letting go of the attachment to perfection, outcomes, and the neediness for which you take actions. "Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood carry water."

I made sure to include a special note about how enlightenment (a.k.a. non-dual awareness) is always available from the very beginning, although our concerns with other needs may cloud that fact. Even if one were to become enlightened at a 'lower' level on the hierarchy, one could still proceed forward in the dream-known-as-reality by learning how to work through each level and make a big impact.

For example, Eckhart Tolle was pretty depressed before he had his enlightenment, but once he was enlightened he still had to figure out how to write millions of best-selling books -- and that takes a lot of courage.  

If you are wondering where you are on the map, ask yourself what you struggle with. Be honest about it. Look at what you get pissed off at. Look at what you judge others for.   

Finally, be careful not to confuse the map with the territory. It's not like you can stare at this and recognize your godly nature. There is a ton of experience to gain. 

I hope this helps you on your Hero's journey!

Edited May 18, 2017 by TJ Reeves

[SFRL]

Always interesting Maslow's hierarchy of needs. 

Not sure that 15% of the people reaches self-actualization. I think that percentage is lower. 

Also it's very easy to deceive oneself when placing oneself on the pyramid. Typically people have a need for a positive self image and will rationalize to themselves that they are higher on the pyramid then they really are. 

[The White Belt]

Was enlightenment included in the original hierarchy of needs?

I always thought it was added on by others..

[Preetom]

@TJ Reeves Beautiful insight!! Thanks so much for the good work, sir!

[TJ Reeves]

@The White Belt Maslow himself criticized his work as incomplete and expanded his work to include transcendence. He discussed things such as altruism and enlightenment as needs, but he died before the idea could catch on. 

Heres a neat article about this final step: http://pages.stolaf.edu/psych-391-spring15/files/2014/02/Koltko-RIvera.pdf

Edited May 18, 2017 by TJ Reeves

[The White Belt]

@TJ Reeves Thanks a lot. Only had a flick through but this paragraph definitely stood out. "We have much to learn in terms of what separates the founder of a soup kitchen or a home for lepers from a suicide bomber; however, the uncomfortable truth is that there is a dimension in which they are similar: devotion to a cause or purpose beyond the self" 

[Rose_axion]

@TJ Reeves This is amazing and insightful. Thank you for sharing this! Brilliant! 

 

Echo

[Pharion]

Really nice diagram and it makes sense. I will be using this. 

[Moreira]

When I contemplatethe red and organe steps of the ladder called "Immortals" and "Heroes" a big dissonance comes to my mind. We are created to God can see his creation, live it fully, we are the universe experiencing itself, our only pupose is to BE, thats we have the survival insctint, the assure that we keep living the creation. So facing death or sacrifice for some cause (mental masturbation) is a disrespect towards the gift of life.

[Joseph Maynor]

Woah, you bet I'm gonna study this model.

[Truth Addict]

This is a very powerful model!

I'd add the transcendence of all models, the rise of the subconscious to merge with the conscious.

It's when you actually stop needing models to live anymore, and they become just a cherry on top. You become detached and independent of models because you already have very great models to run your life and they've become a second nature to you. New models in this case are just interesting, not necessary.

The best model is no-model.

[BarbsM]

On 5/18/2017 at 9:26 AM, TJ Reeves said:

 

I would like to use this Maslow's Hierarchy of needs.

How do I quote, make reference to it.

Is it available on another platform? 

Are there ways of incorporating it in everyday lives?

I have my own theories and practices around it, but want to make to be open to more suggestions and ways of interpretation.

With kind regards

B

Quote

 

[Epikur]

One perspective is after the enlightenment imagine Sisyphus happy.

 

Quote

I leave Sisyphus at the foot of the mountain. One always finds one’s burden again. But Sisyphus teaches the higher fidelity that negates the gods and raises rocks. He too concludes that all is well. This universe henceforth without a master seems to him neither sterile nor futile. Each atom of that stone, each mineral flake of that night-filled mountain, in itself, forms a world. The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.

https://medium.com/@mustaphahitani/camus-suicide-and-imagining-sisyphus-happy-bec124dad750
 

Quote

There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy

Quote

 

Can we live without the hope that life is meaningful, but without the despair that leads to suicide? If the contrast is posed this starkly it seems an alternative appears — we can proceed defiantly forward. We can live without faith, without hope, and without appeal. We should imagine Sisyphus happy.