Great post. Instead of Maslow and Hierarchy of Needs, I’d suggest focusing on consciousness, or awareness if you prefer. I started i-sorcerer not even a month ago to share what I had been grappling with/reading about for some time, as well as a means of focusing all of my attention on “self actualization”. For me, after a long bitter period of self-recrimination, I rediscovered “I am aware that I am aware.” In short, that my thoughts are ego-driven and symptomatic of self-delusion. There is no “I” per se. We aren’t separate; within us all is source, and that source is creative intelligence. Next Monday on i-sourcerer a five part series on creative intelligence kicks off. Check it out.

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I saw a mention of this post at cheerfulmonk.com – this is awesome. I don’t practice now, but was a psychotherapist and I’ve always loved Maslow’s theory.

I had a client a LONG time ago who talked to me about exactly what you were saying – that people don’t necessarily need to have the bottom needs fulfilled before they work into the top ones.

I’ve been pondering that for a LONG time! And I “get” it now. Thanks for this post!!

Your statement there is really describing the right thing to do…
“I think in order to help others, you ultimately have to help yourself. It makes you capable of offering the best of you.”

Growing ourselves so that eventually we are capable to give our best!

Thanks and cheers,
Robert

I really really enjoyed this piece. This is the first time in my life that I am approaching a more concious way of life, operating with real purpose and I recognize so much of what you wrote here.

For me, I helping others has really helped me. When I started my site, I innocently enough hatched a brand new vision/concept in my life and never did I once think that i order to share what I do I had to really get in touch with who I am and to really connect with others in order to learn

It sparked a journey that includes alot of what you listed here but I realized that I had done a lot of work to get to a point where I can share with others.
I think in order to help others, you ultimately have to help yourself. It makes you capable of offering the best of you.

I like how Corrine said “Put your own oxygen mask on first before you try to help anyone else.”

Such truth.

Excellent post Robert!

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I think both of you has the similar point on fulfilling it in the right order, from the lower need to higher need.

I do agree that in certain degree, we need our lower need satisfied before going to higher need, but… “how much do we need to get before we satisfied?” Human tendency is requesting for more and more for themselves. Those are the tendency they will have as long as their need stuck in the deficiency need (the first 4).

Sometimes it is necessary for us to keep our focus/attention away from the first 4, and looking into the above 2. The need for self-actualization and self-transcendence. This will focus on what I can grow, and what I can give? Once we start growing and giving, the priority for the first 4 will be lessen. Your return will be back as well, you will fill your lower need in a much better way, you will be both happy and successful.

That’s my 2 cents.
Robert