A balanced psyche does not mean that every day is sunshine and rainbows. In 1943, Abraham Maslow a psychologist proposed a hierarchy of needs that must be met for a person to be “actualized.” Here is the overview of his model, which still informs our understanding of what mental wellness involves.

Maslow’s Top Four-Level Model

Transcendence – Maslow eventually wrote that while attaining self-actualization, furthering oneself is the highest form of personal growth.

Self-Actualization – For self-actualized people, life is more joyful than painful. When a problem arises, they will focus on problem solving and making room for improvements.

Aesthetic – Humans desire beauty: flowers along the highway, wallpaper that matches the quilt. We can appreciate art and create some beauty ourselves.

Cognitive – We long to understand the world around us to achieve mastery of our career; to be able to converse about current events.

These top four levels are what Maslow referred to as “growth needs.” This fulfillment only increases our motivation to continue to meet them in new and greater ways. Our bellies full, our lives filled with love and friendship, we may begin to focus on travel (cognitive) that grand painting project we always meant to tackle (aesthetic), volunteering at a charity project (transcendence)…

Maslow determined that these four base levels are “deficiency needs” – that is, when any one of them goes unfulfilled or is deficient, our health suffers. The four lower levels of needs: esteem, belongingness, safety and physiological must be met before we can focus on that top level up. If at some future point one need ceases to be met, we must go back and remedy the shortfall before we can return our power to the needs above it.

“Inner Peace begins the moment you choose not to allow outside happenings to influence your thoughts or emotions.”

Doris Martin
Associate Editor