The question of human existence is one that has baffled many since our very existence. Do we have a special purpose here on earth? Self realization is one of the concepts that has been advanced by spiritual leaders and psychoanalysts in an attempt to answer part of this question. The concept features prominently in many eastern religions and has also been addressed by some of the most famous psychoanalysts.
Ordinarily, everyone is involved in the quest for happiness on an everyday basis. The happiness that we attain tends to last only temporarily and we fall back into a state of dissatisfaction. We then embark on another mission to be happy once again but the next phase is also short lived. This goes on and on as a vicious cycle. Self-realization is aimed at helping one attain permanent happiness and get out of this cycle.
The first step towards the realization of ultimate happiness is an understanding of who you are. The truth is that we are much more than our names and our bodies. There is a unique identity beneath the professional qualifications that we have or the characters for which we are known. When all these attributes are put aside, we are left with our real identities . Understanding this individual is the beginning of the process.
There are differences in the perception of what this concept means depending on the culture or religion. In particular, different interpretations have existed in the western and eastern cultures. In the western world, the concept is mainly considered under the fields of psycho-analysis and humanistic psychology. In eastern societies, it have been heavily incorporated into religion. Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism all believe in the concept.
In Buddhism, it is believed that there is no separate self. Everyone, it is claimed, is an undivided whole who may attain awakening. Awakening is the ability to realize this whole. In Sikhism, it is regarded as the act of purification of an individual from the false ego. After the purification, one attains a higher state of mind. They get to a position where they learn to avoid too much materialism and pursue oneness with the creator.
One of the most recognized names in psychoanalysis is Sigmund Freud. Freud is one of the first proponents of this concept. His thoughts were advanced in later years by his students such as Erik Erikson, Carl Jung and Winnicott. Other psychoanalysts have contributed as well. Carl Jung is credited with the individuation theory while Erik Erickson came up with psychosocial development theory, an attempt to explain the changes that take place during human development.
The most widely recognized names in humanistic psychology as far as this concept is concerned are Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. The two proposed a concept known as self-actualization. Self-realization, according to them, is achieved through psychological growth. Human beings can successfully unlock latent potentialities as they achieve this growth. Such potentials may exist in aesthetic, ethical and religious spheres among others.
Self-realization is a concept that has continued to evolve over time. While there have been slightly different definitions depending on the context, increased interaction between the western and eastern civilizations has resulted in widely acceptable practices. One of them is what is referred to as western esotericism.
Ordinarily, everyone is involved in the quest for happiness on an everyday basis. The happiness that we attain tends to last only temporarily and we fall back into a state of dissatisfaction. We then embark on another mission to be happy once again but the next phase is also short lived. This goes on and on as a vicious cycle. Self-realization is aimed at helping one attain permanent happiness and get out of this cycle.
The first step towards the realization of ultimate happiness is an understanding of who you are. The truth is that we are much more than our names and our bodies. There is a unique identity beneath the professional qualifications that we have or the characters for which we are known. When all these attributes are put aside, we are left with our real identities . Understanding this individual is the beginning of the process.
There are differences in the perception of what this concept means depending on the culture or religion. In particular, different interpretations have existed in the western and eastern cultures. In the western world, the concept is mainly considered under the fields of psycho-analysis and humanistic psychology. In eastern societies, it have been heavily incorporated into religion. Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism all believe in the concept.
In Buddhism, it is believed that there is no separate self. Everyone, it is claimed, is an undivided whole who may attain awakening. Awakening is the ability to realize this whole. In Sikhism, it is regarded as the act of purification of an individual from the false ego. After the purification, one attains a higher state of mind. They get to a position where they learn to avoid too much materialism and pursue oneness with the creator.
One of the most recognized names in psychoanalysis is Sigmund Freud. Freud is one of the first proponents of this concept. His thoughts were advanced in later years by his students such as Erik Erikson, Carl Jung and Winnicott. Other psychoanalysts have contributed as well. Carl Jung is credited with the individuation theory while Erik Erickson came up with psychosocial development theory, an attempt to explain the changes that take place during human development.
The most widely recognized names in humanistic psychology as far as this concept is concerned are Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. The two proposed a concept known as self-actualization. Self-realization, according to them, is achieved through psychological growth. Human beings can successfully unlock latent potentialities as they achieve this growth. Such potentials may exist in aesthetic, ethical and religious spheres among others.
Self-realization is a concept that has continued to evolve over time. While there have been slightly different definitions depending on the context, increased interaction between the western and eastern civilizations has resulted in widely acceptable practices. One of them is what is referred to as western esotericism.
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