What is the purpose of our existence? That is perhaps the oldest question that has not been answered conclusively to date. Self realization is one of the concepts that has been put forward to answer it. The concept has been acknowledged in psychology and spirituality. Generally, it is a process through which ultimate happiness is attained. It helps people to attain confidence and freedom from fear, inner peace, external happiness, a deeper experience of spirituality and so on.
Every one of us is involved in a struggle towards happiness. Although we experience this emotion from time to time, it is in most cases, short-lived. We slide back into a state of disappointment and have to begin the process once again. This goes on and on developing into a vicious cycle. Self-realization gives one the ability to attain a constant state of happiness and contentment without sliding back into disappointment.
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 a number of differences in the understanding of this concept in the western and the eastern world. In the western world it is mainly scientific and is considered under the fields of psycho-analysis and humanistic psychology.The psychoanalysts define the concept as the act of one fully realizing their character or personality. In the eastern world, on the other hand, it is regarded as an integral part of spirituality in religions such as Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Buddhism is not party to the belief of a separate self. Rather, everyone is considered an undivided whole. It is only after one undergoes awakening that they get to realize this whole individual. Sikhs define the concept as the act of purifying the individual from a false ego. This purification helps the believer achieve a higher state of mind. It enables them to avoid attachment to materialism and to focus on pursuing oneness with their creator.
Sigmund Freud was the first psychoanalyst to put the concept forward. Later, his thoughts were advanced by his students such as Winnicott, Carl Jung and Erik Erikson among others. Modification have been made to the initial views over the years. Carl Jung is recognized for his individuation theory which he claimed is a lifelong process. Erickson, on the other hand, is known for his psychosocial development theory which attempts to describe the process of human development.
The two main contributors to these concept in humanistic psychology are Car Rodgers and Abraham Maslow. The two came up with a slightly different concept known as self-actualization. Their argument was that self-realization in humans is a progressive achievement that comes with continuous psychological growth. Through, growth, they went on to claim, human beings got the ability to unlock latent potentialities in different spheres of life.
Self-realization has existed for centuries. Different societies have interpreted it differently but the fundamental principles have been more or less the same. Today, there is widespread adoption of both western and eastern interpretations. Western esotericism is believed to have resulted from this interaction.
Every one of us is involved in a struggle towards happiness. Although we experience this emotion from time to time, it is in most cases, short-lived. We slide back into a state of disappointment and have to begin the process once again. This goes on and on developing into a vicious cycle. Self-realization gives one the ability to attain a constant state of happiness and contentment without sliding back into disappointment.
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 a number of differences in the understanding of this concept in the western and the eastern world. In the western world it is mainly scientific and is considered under the fields of psycho-analysis and humanistic psychology.The psychoanalysts define the concept as the act of one fully realizing their character or personality. In the eastern world, on the other hand, it is regarded as an integral part of spirituality in religions such as Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Buddhism is not party to the belief of a separate self. Rather, everyone is considered an undivided whole. It is only after one undergoes awakening that they get to realize this whole individual. Sikhs define the concept as the act of purifying the individual from a false ego. This purification helps the believer achieve a higher state of mind. It enables them to avoid attachment to materialism and to focus on pursuing oneness with their creator.
Sigmund Freud was the first psychoanalyst to put the concept forward. Later, his thoughts were advanced by his students such as Winnicott, Carl Jung and Erik Erikson among others. Modification have been made to the initial views over the years. Carl Jung is recognized for his individuation theory which he claimed is a lifelong process. Erickson, on the other hand, is known for his psychosocial development theory which attempts to describe the process of human development.
The two main contributors to these concept in humanistic psychology are Car Rodgers and Abraham Maslow. The two came up with a slightly different concept known as self-actualization. Their argument was that self-realization in humans is a progressive achievement that comes with continuous psychological growth. Through, growth, they went on to claim, human beings got the ability to unlock latent potentialities in different spheres of life.
Self-realization has existed for centuries. Different societies have interpreted it differently but the fundamental principles have been more or less the same. Today, there is widespread adoption of both western and eastern interpretations. Western esotericism is believed to have resulted from this interaction.
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