ychologist Abraham Maslow said, “what a man can be, he must be...it is the desire to become more than one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming.” Each person's capability is different.
The characteristics of a self-actualized person, according to Maslow, seem simple but are elusive. Self-actualized people have realistic perceptions of who they are. They understand the dynamics of the world they live in, but are not reactive. Because their survival needs are met, they are able to focus their efforts on helping to solve problems in their communities. They are respectful of convention, but are often positively unconventional in their behavior and attitudes.
Self-actualized people find joy in the simplest experiences. They view the world with continual awe and appreciation. They enjoy people but need great amounts of time to themselves for self-balancing. Maslow also tells us that these people often experience peak moments, finding intense satisfaction, joy or peace that gives them the strength and inspiration they need to continue growing.
Carl Rogers, one of the most eminent forces in humanistic and transpersonal psychology, and a Nobel nominee, described self-actualization as the primary “curative force in psychology.” The human organism's urge to self-actualize – that is – become a better “self” was defined by Rogers in his “19 Propositions“ and provided a way to scientifically assess the progress of a patient's therapy, confirming the viability of therapeutic work in the transpersonal realm.
To define transpersonal psychology as the study of humanity's highest potential implies the conscious integration of all of man's various aspects – body, mind, and soul – with the unrelenting challenges of everyday life. In real terms, it means that by learning how to function everyday as an increasingly integrated being, a person becomes an empowered participant in forming his or her world – rather than just someone to whom the world is happening. On one one level, this is the epicenter of self-actualization. On another - a reasonable definition of good mental health.
If you desire to help individuals with many of life’s challenges, including workplace stressors, family life, career decisions, relationship issues, and especially personal growth concerns, consider a career as transpersonal psychologist.
Transpersonal psychologists must have a PhD in most states to practice, and certain licensing requirements might also apply. Contact schools ror more information on psychology degrees and entering the field of Transpersonal Psychology.
BRAIN WAVES - Changing Your Brain
Brain function controls our lives. It affects attitude, mood, motivation, and our ability to connect with different levels of consciousness. Interestingly, we can learn to control our brain functions and even to control our state of mind.
At any given moment, the brain is generating several kinds of waves - which it must do in order to address situations where multiple activities require attention. The dominant “brain wave” reading sets the tone, but the balance can change quickly.
It's possible to alter the levels of various brain waves in order to improve mental and physical health, and avoid getting “stuck” in one mind-set. Biofeedback, brain wave entrainment technology, and many of the therapeutic techniques used in psychotherapy are effective in helping one achieve greater facility in changing the frequency of one's brain. Changing brain waves takes practice and, although this therapy is expensive and not well known, it can be effective.
What is a brain wave?
The brain is a vast complex of a 100 billion neurons or brain cells that transfer information via tiny electrochemical impulses. These impulses generate energy that is displayed on an electroencephalogram as a brain wave that measures frequency – the number of cycles per second (cps or hertz) - and the amplitude - or strength - of these waves. These measurements correlate to the five different brain states. From the slowest or least active to the highest and most active they are: delta, the