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Susan's avatar

Thank you Ian, Beauty in action with your words here. As far as I can tell in my own life, this ‘self-actualization’ is an on going process of continual re-evaluating the transactions of living. As far as I can tell there is no ‘I’m here now!’ Many hurdles and growings and noticings seem to continually enhance and adjust knowings of being in this world.

Hugs friend.

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Ian Weinberg's avatar

Indeed - work in progress!

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Randy Burns's avatar

Hello Ian, long time no speak. As usual a great post but I must address your point of "post Covid". While this whole scenario is an excellent exercise to help us attain better self actualization, (along with coaching), from my perspective, here in Canada, Covid is far from over. There is the daily propaganda over mainstream/legacy media pushing daily cases/deaths, new variants, old variants, debates about which "Jab" is the best, how we are now entering a threat of a 'triple pandemic' including Covid, RSV, influenza.. Our government, medical system, corporations and big tech are still relentlessly pushing this agenda. It is, with no exaggeration, a relentless campaign of "fear porn", daily. I'm still waging the war but it is a worthy battle.

When you say, "half-baked version of self actualization"; this version is an integral part of this campaign, a tool for "them" to help rationalize their actions so it is important and praiseworthy for you to point this out.. It is indeed a quagmire that is difficult to navigate it.

On a personal note, from my perspective, the last 2 years have been an incredible journey of self actualization starting with the very first article that I wrote on the topic 2 years ago, many others followed. I'm sure that you remember as you were an invaluable catalyst to start me on this road.. I must say that I could not have attained the progress that I've reached without Covid, (have to look at the bright side). You have succinctly relayed this aspect in your final paragraph you have always delivered, (for years even before Covid), the premise of "value contribution", it is a constant from you and your articles..

Great post Mate!

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Ian Weinberg's avatar

Hi Randy - indeed its been a while since we last connected. And while I was aware that the narrative was still being stretched in your part of the world, I didn't appreciate how much the torment continued. Insane! Ironically much of the heat is off here in the Third World - probably diluted out by the multitude of other issues. Thanks for the kind words. Wish you well and hope that you have fortitude in abundance to withstand the madness as you continue along your path of personal evolution.

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Elsa's avatar

My sense is: much more is missing than "value contribution to the greater whole." In fact, I found Maslov's theory - and all the other models of personal development I found - so inadequate that I ended up creating my own model of personal development. First, though, I agree that we need "value contribution to the greater whole." We also need good thinking, the capacity to perceive and evaluate - all totally missing in most models where the emphasis tends to be overwhelmingly on feeling. As for the capacity to perceive, all the New Age models hold that you create your reality. (Tell that to people being herded in the gas chambers.) On the other hand, the first rule of the 12 Rules for Survival (not from me, but I find them excellent) is: perceive and believe - violated by all those who accept the "narrative" and often got injected with toxic substances accepting the "narrative." Plus, yes, we need civic/social engagement. Plato, 2500 years ago, said something like: Whoever does not engage with the public sphere is a fool and will be governed by fools. It's worse, of course. We also short-change ourselves. Without civic engagement we are hobbits rather than full-grown humans. Anyway, for more on full flourishing, you might want to take a look at: https://fullflourishing.com. There's a short description plus a 10-min video.

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Susan's avatar

Btw, this whole push towards totalitarian control is the ultimate kill joy of living!

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