{"id":12892,"date":"2019-10-15T15:29:16","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T14:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/?p=12892"},"modified":"2026-03-07T14:31:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T13:31:18","slug":"maslows-theory-of-self-actualization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/en\/maslows-theory-of-self-actualization\/","title":{"rendered":"Maslow’s Theory of Self-Actualization"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

In these quotes by Roberto Assagioli, we shall see how Assagioli understood Maslow’s theory of Self-actualization and how it differs from Self-realization.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> (From Psychosynthesis, p. 37-39)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n

“First of all, it is well to have a clear idea of \u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200bwhat self-realization is. The term has been used to indicate two kinds of growth in awareness, of expansion of consciousness, which, although more or less related, are different in their nature and have quite different manifestations. The meaning most frequently given to self-realization is that of psychological growth and maturation, of the awakening and manifestation of latent potentialities of the human being \u2014for instance, ethical, esthetic, and religious experiences and activities. These correspond to the characteristics Maslow (18) ascribes to self-actualization, and it would perhaps be well to use this term in order to distinguish it from the second kind of self-realization. It is not the realization of the personal conscious self or “I”, which should be considered merely as the reflection of the spiritual Self, projection, in the field of the personality.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Self-actualization may be achieved at different levels and does not necessarily include what can be called the spiritual level.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Assagioli's\r\n
Assagioli’s egg diagram<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

On the other hand, an individual may have genuine spiritual experiences without being at all integrated, ie, without having developed a well-organized, harmonious personality. This has been clearly shown by Jung (15, p. 155) who calls our attention to the fact that the development of the personality is not an absolute prerogative of the man of genius, and that he may have genius without either having personality or being a personality. Spiritual awakening and spiritual realization are something different from conscious awareness of the Self. They include various kinds of awareness of superconscious contents, either descending into the field of consciousness or found in the process of ascending to superconscious levels and thus having what Maslow (18) calls a \u201cpeak experience.\u201d The distinction between the personal conscious self, the superconscious, and the spiritual Self is indicated in our discussion of the psychological constitution of man and in its accompanying diagram in the preceding chapter, but it is appropriate here to comment that, in the diagram, the superconscious constitutes the higher section or aspect of the person of which the ego or self (the point in the middle of the circle) is not normally aware. But at times the conscious self rises or is raised to that higher region where it has specific experiences and states of awareness of various kinds which can be called “spiritual” in the widest sense. At other times it happens that some contents of the superconscious “descend” and penetrate into the area of \u200b\u200b\u200b\u200bthe normal consciousness of the ego, producing what is called “inspiration.” This interplay has great importance and value, both for fostering creativity and for achieving psychosynthesis.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

We are using the word “spiritual” in its broader connotation which includes, therefore, not only the specific religious experience, but all the states of awareness, all the functions and activities which have as common denominator the possessing of values \u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200bhigher than the average, values\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200bsuch as the ethical, the esthetic, the heroic, the humanitarian, and the altruistic. We include under the general heading of “spiritual development” then, all experiences connected with awareness of the contents of the superconscious, which may or may not include the experience of the Self. It should also be pointed out that the reaching up into the realm of the superconscious and its exploration, while approaching the consciousness of the Self, may sometimes even constitute an obstacle to full Self-realization, to the reaching of the summit where the personal-I awareness blends into awareness of the spiritual Self. One can become so fascinated by the wonders of the superconscious realm, so absorbed in it, so identified with some of its special aspects or manifestations as to lose or paralyze the urge to reach the summit of Self-realization.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In the following analysis of the vicissitudes and incidents which occur during the process of spiritual development, we shall consider both the successive stages of self-actualization and the achievement of full Self-realization. Maslow has well recognized that self-actualization should not be considered as a state in which all conflicts have been eliminated and full unity is achieved once and forever. His is exposition of this important point is so lucid and cogent that it deserves to be quoted in full:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n