#449 Advanced Self-development: Self-actualization, Self-transcendence & Personal Wisdom

     "Advanced self-development is characterized by mature self-awareness, self-insight, openness to experience, open-mindedness, comfort with ambiguity, & cognitive complexity in terms of self & others. These personal qualities represent an integrated type of self-development that is considered to be a form of actualization tendency.

     The concept of self-actualization ... refers to a developmental process that involves the actualization or full use of one’s abilities or potential. ... the most agreed upon attributes of self-actualization ... include: meaning in life, positive self-esteem, personal responsibility, self-awareness, intimacy, empathy, realistic perceptions, insight, and resistance to undue social pressure. ... the construct of self-actualization is represented by two essential traits: openness to experience and self-reference or centeredness. 'The first depicts interest in varied experiences for its own sake (interest or pleasure) whereas the second describes awareness and consciousness of what is taking place in one’s personal experience.' Thus ... self-actualization is 'a process through which one’s potential is developed in congruence with one’s self-perception and one’s experience.' 

     Self-transcendence is the ability to see oneself & the world in a way that is not hindered by the boundaries of one’s ego identity and, thus, it involves a heightened sense of meaning and connectedness with others and with the world. 'Being able to detach from the external definitions of the self and dissolving rigid boundaries between self and other allows for self-transcendence.' Self-transcendence is considered by wisdom researchers to be a consequence of advanced self-development or self-actualization posited that the capacity for self-transcendence is an aspect of ego growth that is motivating during each developmental period and, thus, it can be realized at any age through practice and mature coping. The key is “having a strong identity”.  

     In summary, self-actualization involves advanced self-development or actuation of growth, whereas self-transcendence involves an ability to expand or transcend the boundaries of one’s ego identity. Together, self-actualization and self-transcendence include a rich form of self-knowledge and awareness that is characterized by openness, self-reflection, and insight based in a mature identity that is not hampered by ego preoccupation. Thus, these two attributes encompass or provide a pathway to personal wisdom.

       Beaumont SL. Identity processing and personal wisdom: An information-oriented identity style predicts self-actualization and self-transcendence. Identity: An International Journal of Theory and Research 2009; 9(2): 95-115.

 

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