Transcendence, an exceptional vital strength

Transcendence is movement, flexibility and psychological openness. It is also about rising beyond the ordinary to connect with a broader knowledge, free of conventions, fears and personal insecurities. Abraham Maslow, exponent of humanistic psychology, placed this psychological strength at the top of his now classic pyramid of needs.

Few concepts are so interesting and attractive from many of the main areas of knowledge. For philosophy, for example, transcendence is understood as everything that is beyond the tangible world. Emmanuel Kant said that this state defines neither more nor less than the capacity of reason to acquire higher, more sophisticated knowledge.

William James, father of American psychology and pioneer in psychological study, noted something inspiring about this concept. For him, Transcendence was one of the most intense emotions and one way to caress it, to make it ours, was through nature.. The awe and captivating beauty of a natural setting can invoke that feeling in us.

As we see, We are facing a dimension with multiple definitions and appreciationsbut all of them are revealing and interesting. We analyze it.

Transcendence, a vital strength that we should all develop

It is possible that the term “transcendence” has for many a connotation that navigates between the spiritual and the mystical. However, it is very scientific. Psychology has been using this concept as a substrate for our own well-being for decades.

We could say that transcendence is the sister of self-realization and that this is the point in human development at which one reaches fulfillment with oneself in relation to the world.

We are facing a holistic entity that integrates all those pieces that should make up the result of all our advances, both emotional, intellectual and social. Let’s know more aspects.

Types of transcendence

There is not a single type of transcendence, in reality there are multiple “steps” that one reaches on that personal journey of discoveries and vital learning. In fact, in Abraham Maslow’s book, The Farther Reaches of Human Naturewe are offered powerful keys to conquer that gradual self-realization.

However, it is crucial to first understand all its forms and expressions:

Ego Transcendence. In this case, it would involve much more than deactivating the classic narcissism and selfishness so deeply rooted in our society. It means working on oneself to be useful to others, so that our being transcends and always gives the best of itself to others. It is also knowing how to be in harmony with everything that surrounds us, including nature.Cultural significance. Culture is still a product constructed by humanity itself. We must break through that envelope and acquire a more critical look to know what is true and what is a lie, what is useful and what is better to leave aside.The transcendence of the past. Psychological well-being always requires freeing ourselves from the yesterday that hurts to embrace the present.Transcend the pain. In this dimension it is always useful to mention Viktor Frankl and his search for meaning, that attempt to continue finding vital signifiers despite pain, adversity, suffering… Transcending the darkest part of our existence allows us to be free, responsible , wise…

How can I achieve transcendence?

Transcendence does not come when you turn 40 or 60.. It is not a normative stage of human development, it is a state of self-reflection, of constant work with oneself, of expressed will to be a little better every day – both with ourselves and with our environment.

Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at New York University, points out that Transcendence requires an emotion that we do not practice excessively: amazement. This emotional state is achieved through discovery, experimentation, the search for constant learning… Let’s see below what dimensions we should put into practice to achieve transcendence.

To transcend is to get off the merry-go-round

Transcending requires daring to take the leap to get off the merry-go-round, from that patterned reality that only spins around on itself. Many would describe it as “awakening from the Matrix”, a somewhat cinematic concept, but one that contains a very real metaphor. Therefore, these are the dimensions that we should consider to achieve this:

Discover what gives meaning to your life. Clarify your values.Practice excellence. Give your best in everything you do.Make your own decisionsDon’t let yourself be influenced or dominated. Be curious, be critical, attend to what others do not appreciateput your eyes on those details that others miss.Revalue your scale of needs. There will be many things that are not really useful.Learn new things every day.You accept to people as they are. Also accept nature as it is, do not want to transform it.Leave aside polarity, difference, distance… In this world we are all brief tenants, try to leave a mark of growth, not a traumatic mark.

In conclusion, the seed of self-transcendence resides in all of us. Making it germinate and flower is a task that requires dedication, time and courage. The results are extraordinary.

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