Self Actualization - Flloyd Tan/Stephen Xu

The Christian Faith on Self Actualization

Merriam Webster’s Definition

Self Actualization (n): to realize one’s full potential

“It is as if Freud supplied us with the sick half of psychology, and now we must fill it out with the healthy half.”

-Abraham Maslow, Toward a Psychology of Being

What is Self Actualization?

“It refers to man’s desire for self-fulfillment, namely to the tendency for him to become actually in what he is potentially.”

Popularized by Abraham Maslow, self-actualization is the human choice to reach the pinnacle of their truest and personal potential. It is a way of life in which individuals consistently seek greater meaning and purpose in life. It is a personal process of transcending our present capabilities, and a persistent desire beyond what is readily available.

“Musicians must make music, artists must paint, poets must write if they are to be ultimately at peace with themselves. What human beings can be, they must be. They must be true to their own nature. This need we may call self-actualization… It refers to man’s desire for self-fulfillment, namely to the tendency for him to become actually in what he is potentially.”

What are their characteristics?

Self-actualized people are process-oriented

“Self-actualizing people have the wonderful capacity to appreciate, again and again, freshly and naively, the basic foods of life with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy, however stale these experiences may have become to others.”

“Self Actualizers have become strong enough to be independent of the good opinion of other people, or even their affection. The honors, the status, the rewards, the popularity, the prestige, and the love they can bestow must have become less important than self-development and inner growth.”

What do they get out of it?

Self-actualized people have certain characteristics.

These characteristics include:

› A clear sense of what is right and just.

› Dedication to some work, mission or value larger

than themselves.

› Confidence and self-respect; absence of severe

self-condemnation.

› The ability to be decisive.

› A relative absence of inner conflict; not at war with self;

personality is integrated.

› A sense of humility, combined with a willingness to

listen to others and to learn.

› High creativity, along with spontaneity, a willingness

to make mistakes, openness and flexibility.

› More concerned with the task or outcome than with

image or ego.

› The ability to maintain composure under pressure.

› The ability and commitment to work very hard yet

have a balance of work and play.

› A sense of control over events and reactions to events.

› The ability to develop long-lasting, stable, supportive,

intimate relationships and friendships.

› Taking pleasure in seeing others experience pleasure.

› The ability to see people for who they are and to see

through those who are fake and phony.

› The ability to thrive alone or with others.

› Tolerance of others’ shortcomings.

› The ability to see reality as it is.

› Having a perception and understanding that is

undistorted by desires, anxieties, fears, etc.

› The capacity to be expressive, natural and simple.

› The ability to ignore criticism, ridicule and cultural

constraints with resulting psychological freedom.

Why do individuals struggle?

Individuals who have the strength to make a choice are capable of reaching their potential.

We are actualized every now and then

Obstacles are part of the process

Our limiting beliefs

Some people cannot overcome the struggles on the path to become self-actualized. For some people it is our beliefs, for others, it is physical distractions ex. Social media. Everyone is self-actualized every now and then. Keeping it consistent is the biggest struggle for most.

“We must understand that the dark forces are as normal as the growth forces.”

“He who belies his talent, the born painter who sells stockings instead, the intelligent man who lives a stupid life, the man who seeks truth and keeps his mouth shut, the coward who gives up his manliness, all these people perceive in a deep way what they have done wrong to themselves and despise themselves for it. Out of this self-punishment may come only neurosis, but there may equally come renewed courage, righteous indignation, increased self-respect, because of thereafter doing the right thing; in a word, growth and improvement can come through pain and conflict.”

Where do individuals start?

There are steps one can take to start the path to self-actualization

Don’t compare yourself with others

One often measures their self-worth by comparing themselves with others. It is important to remember that you are different from other people.

Accept who you are

We must accept the fact we have strengths and weaknesses. Once we acknowledge those strengths and weaknesses. We cannot hope to grow unless we are operating from a truthful standpoint. When we embrace those strengths and weaknesses truthfully then we can grow.

Know that you are in control

Self-Actualized people know that they are in control of their own circumstances and can easily adapt to difficult situations.

Don’t stop growing

We are often tempted to stop once we see success but a self-actualized person does not stop. They move on to the next task when finished one.

Christian Faith

As Christians, we must surrender to God. We are God’s Children, living in complete dependence on God. Our meaning is to live for God. To spread the Good News and share the love given to us by God. We must sacrifice all our earthly desires to live for Christ.