Maslow’s hierarchy of needs depicted above, is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are: physiological (food and clothing), safety (job security), love and belonging needs (friendship), esteem, and self-actualization. Criticized widely for this, the theory suggests that needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can attend to needs higher up. Of course many believe this to be untrue. A hungry human who chooses not to suffer may be hungry, yet choose to be happy.
This is where Dr. David Hawkins map of consciousness comes in. In the authors own words “We are all born with a level of consciousness, an energetic frequency within the vast field of consciousness. And with The Map of Consciousness, we can truly understand the total spectrum of human consciousness.” In unravelling the theory in a few lines, the map shows that once humans start to use courage as their superpower in overcoming difficult life situations, they move from a contracted state of suffering to an expansion that allows them to Flow. In this Flow they experience all Life brings and experience Pure Tao, pure joy. It doesn’t mean Life stops bringing them difficult emotions or heavy situations, it simply means the events while may be painful, they no longer are given meanings that evoke suffering.
What are your own thoughts on these two theories? Have you used courage as a superpower to move from contraction into Flow?Comment below.