The question of human existence is one that has baffled many since our very existence. Do we have a special purpose here on earth? Self realization is one of the concepts that has been advanced by spiritual leaders and psychoanalysts in an attempt to answer part of this question. The concept features prominently in many eastern religions and has also been addressed by some of the most famous psychoanalysts.
Under normal circumstances, many (if not all) of us are involved in a constant pursuit of happiness. We get the happiness from time to time but unfortunately it is in many cases only temporary. Once the happiness phase is over we fall back into dissatisfaction and start to work towards happiness once again. This goes on indefinitely forming a vicious cycle. Individual realization is meant to help one achieve constant happiness that is devoid of the dissatisfaction episodes.
The journey to constant happiness begins by our understanding of who we are. We are more than our names and our bodies. This is why our names can be changed several times yet we remain the same persons inside. We can change the appearance of our bodies as to completely alter our physical appearance but we are still the same. By stripping ourselves off all the qualities we are known for (names, professions, physical attributes, characters and so) we encounter our real identities.
There are differences in the perception of what this concept means depending on the culture or religion. In particular, different interpretations have existed in the western and eastern cultures. In the western world, the concept is mainly considered under the fields of psycho-analysis and humanistic psychology. In eastern societies, it have been heavily incorporated into religion. Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism all believe in the concept.
In Buddhism, it is believed that there is no separate self. Everyone, it is claimed, is an undivided whole who may attain awakening. Awakening is the ability to realize this whole. In Sikhism, it is regarded as the act of purification of an individual from the false ego. After the purification, one attains a higher state of mind. They get to a position where they learn to avoid too much materialism and pursue oneness with the creator.
One of the most recognized names in psychoanalysis is Sigmund Freud. Freud is one of the first proponents of this concept. His thoughts were advanced in later years by his students such as Erik Erikson, Carl Jung and Winnicott. Other psychoanalysts have contributed as well. Carl Jung is credited with the individuation theory while Erik Erickson came up with psychosocial development theory, an attempt to explain the changes that take place during human development.
Carl Rodgers and Abraham Maslow are some of the major contributors in the field of humanistic psychology. The two developed a concept known as self-actualization. According to them, the achievement of self-realization is a continuous process that can only be realized with psychological growth. As humans grow psychologically, they are able to unlock latent potentials in varied spheres of their lives.
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.
Under normal circumstances, many (if not all) of us are involved in a constant pursuit of happiness. We get the happiness from time to time but unfortunately it is in many cases only temporary. Once the happiness phase is over we fall back into dissatisfaction and start to work towards happiness once again. This goes on indefinitely forming a vicious cycle. Individual realization is meant to help one achieve constant happiness that is devoid of the dissatisfaction episodes.
The journey to constant happiness begins by our understanding of who we are. We are more than our names and our bodies. This is why our names can be changed several times yet we remain the same persons inside. We can change the appearance of our bodies as to completely alter our physical appearance but we are still the same. By stripping ourselves off all the qualities we are known for (names, professions, physical attributes, characters and so) we encounter our real identities.
There are differences in the perception of what this concept means depending on the culture or religion. In particular, different interpretations have existed in the western and eastern cultures. In the western world, the concept is mainly considered under the fields of psycho-analysis and humanistic psychology. In eastern societies, it have been heavily incorporated into religion. Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism all believe in the concept.
In Buddhism, it is believed that there is no separate self. Everyone, it is claimed, is an undivided whole who may attain awakening. Awakening is the ability to realize this whole. In Sikhism, it is regarded as the act of purification of an individual from the false ego. After the purification, one attains a higher state of mind. They get to a position where they learn to avoid too much materialism and pursue oneness with the creator.
One of the most recognized names in psychoanalysis is Sigmund Freud. Freud is one of the first proponents of this concept. His thoughts were advanced in later years by his students such as Erik Erikson, Carl Jung and Winnicott. Other psychoanalysts have contributed as well. Carl Jung is credited with the individuation theory while Erik Erickson came up with psychosocial development theory, an attempt to explain the changes that take place during human development.
Carl Rodgers and Abraham Maslow are some of the major contributors in the field of humanistic psychology. The two developed a concept known as self-actualization. According to them, the achievement of self-realization is a continuous process that can only be realized with psychological growth. As humans grow psychologically, they are able to unlock latent potentials in varied spheres of their lives.
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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