Climbing the Maslow's heirarchy.

Imagine, it's 5.00 AM. You have got up early. Made all the efforts to be ready to move out quickly, hoping the roads to be free; however, what welcomes you instead is a big bad traffic jam!

So, what would you do? Naturally, you will start feeling frustrated. 

However, now imagine that to your utter surprise, you discover that the person sitting in the car besides, locked in the same traffic jam, happens to be, Mr. Amitabh Bachachan!!!

So, what would be your reaction?

Most likely, within a moment, you shall forget the agony of the jam. In fact, you may even start blessing the situation. "Thank you traffic jam for letting me see Mr. Bachchan."

Immediately, your phone shall come out. The pics will travel to all your social media accounts. And this most unexpected story, you shall share with all your friends for a long time to come. 

Therefore, you see... situation transformed! 

Of course, in theory at least, because, in reality, it may only be ugly container trucks surrounding your car in a big unpleasant 5.00 AM traffic jam!


Nevertheless, this simple example shows us very clearly that a lower order displeasure is lost when a higher order excitement arrives.

Therefore, while one may not interface a superstar in a traffic jam, yet a few things shall always help in such a situation. 

For example:

1. Keeping patience. Knowing that you are safe. The jam shall soon end and you would be able to move again.

2. Yes, now to keep yourself busy, you may listen to some music of your choice. That would  certainly make waiting easier.

3. Finally, you may also choose to take an extra initiative, get out of your car and try help resolve the jam.

In each of the above cases, by choosing a higher order behavior, one could very successfully negotiate the jammy situation around.

Thanksfully, traffic jams are indeed simpler to handle. It is life actually that can be deeply complex. 

But, why life is complex?

This is because:

- you have emotions, that you can't either control or comprehend.

- besides, you have in-built mental attitudes that are so subtle that the term used to define them is sub-conscious mind.

- then, you have physical limitations that may be influencing your life choices and behaviors.

- plus you may also have your hormones playing their part, adding fuel to the fire.

- then your social setting may have it's own complications, which could be very closely linked to your economic status or political orientation, etc.

- there may be situational limitations as well - for example - needing to travel 50 km across Mumbai to work, amid maddening rain.

- finally, while some may realize and accept its presence, yet for others, ego may exist as a silent operator within.

- lastly, there would be challenges such as, climate change, covid and others, where you seem to have no direct role to play, except, suffer. 

Pretty thick stack actually!

The question is: How to negotiate this mesh?

Moreover, Is it even possible in the first place?

What may be the hope for ordinary mortals, such as, us?

On this note, let's revisit once again Maslow's heirarchy of needs.



In our traffic jam example, earlier in the write-up, we saw that by willfully opting for a higher level alternative, we were able to negotiate a lower order challenge.

This certainly is the basic rule.

Now the question comes, can the same rule be applied to life in general, which is so complex, confusing and at times may even seem concocted?

Thankfully, Maslow didn't define his theory to resolve traffic jams. He defined it to resolve life - the actual human life in the real brick-and-mortar world!

Therefore yes, the same rule applies to human life. By following the same rule, anyone can learn to start finding their harmony, sense of purpose and tranquility, irrespective of that thick stack of emotions, mental blocks, physical conditions, hormones, social settings, economic status, political orientation, and everything else, which we discussed a little earlier.

This almost magic like miracle happens by activating the top-most need of human existence - the need for self-actualization. 

Self-actualization is a huge subject, however, for our purpose here in this write-up, we will keep our discussions simple and practical.

So, first thing first- What is self-actualization?

In most simple words, it means maximizing your human potential.

At this point you may ask in return - I am weak, have shortcomings, have problems, life's in a total mess - how would I maximize my human potential? What may I look up to maximize?

Extremely valid question. 

Very interestingly, both modern psychology as well as ancient spirituality term rise of such conflicting questions in the human mind as the starting point of human transformation.

(Ref: Sigmund Freud & Erik Erikson & Bhagavad Gita 2.7)

As a result, self-actualization is a spiritual journey. Transcendence is its highest pedestal, a point where once again, both, modern psychology and ancient spirituality come together.

The road to transcendence goes through number of stations, nevertheless, 3 ingredients are uncompromisable for this process to unfold:

1. Inspiration

2. Knowledge

3. Practical Realization

These qualities come from the science of spirituality (Ref: Patanjali Yogasutra 2.1) because this point onwards, modern psychology takes the doctor-patient route, in acute contrast to ancient spirituality's student-teacher path.

Hence:

- Inspiration comes from a coach or a teacher

- Knowledge in this context refers to the background science, which is documented in all its detail in various books and scriptures.

- Practical Realization then is achieved by the actual practice of the knowledge as a procedure of daily discipline under the able guidance of the coach or the teacher.

This is a foolproof mechanism that has worked for centuries, over and over.

Twenty years ago, I was a man of big anger, huge restlessness and minimal concentration. Now, much better on all those parameters and by profession a Meditation Teacher.

Most importantly, with no cholesterol, sugar, hypertension or any such lifestyle ailment.

Besides, I have many students who once complained of similar problems. Now most reporting significant improvement in their respective situation. 

So, what have we done? 

Nothing special. 

Same 3 things, as stated above:

1. Found ourselves a rightful teacher.

2. Kept learning the science, from the teacher, with the help of proven scriptures.

3. Plus, kept practicing the theory learned, in daily life, under guidance of the teacher, while in-process, also learning to forego all sorts of obstacles, which would keep popping-up all the time, uninvited.

Yes, further, two crucial mistakes that we DIDN'T commit and which so many others, commit on this path.

A. We didn't leave the teacher.

B. We didn't stop learning ever.

The final outcome is that we now intend to keep sticking to this very 3-step process until our last breath on the planet.

This is the road to self-actualization. 

Anyone can take this road. All types of traffic jams or misfortunes, no matter how grave, get resolved here with inspiration, knowledge and practical realization.

More write-ups to follow on this subject...




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