Below is Maslow’s hierarchy needs diagram which includes:
- Biological and Physiological needs – air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc.
- Safety needs – protection from elements, security, order, law, limits, stability, etc.
- Belongingness and Love needs – work group, family, affection, relationships, etc.
- Esteem needs – self-esteem, achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, managerial responsibility, etc.
- Self Actualization needs – realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences.
The growth of self-actualization (Wikipedia, Maslow, 1962) refers to the need for personal growth that is present throughout a person’s life. For Maslow, a person is always
becoming and never remains static in these terms. In self-actualization a person comes to find a meaning to life that is important to them. (McLeod, S. 2007 from Wikipedia)
ALIGNING – HEART – SOUL – MIND
There is much written about aligning heart, soul and mind for clarity, purpose and presence. When we speak of aligning we refer to things being in a straight line, to come into precise adjustment or correct relative position. (2012, Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). When we speak of aligning the heart, mind and soul we refer to accessing and engaging our mind, heart and soul sources to be congruent and harmonious one with the other. When we operate singly from either one source or the other we don’t engage our truest self and thus working from a purely mind source or soul source, for example, we operate from a place of lesser power and energy. When we are in alignment we bring with us a presence and a power of presence that shows up in all we do. We become empowered and we align with our divine source to be whatever we choose to be.
Alan Seale in his book, “Create a World that Works, Tools for Personal & Global Transformation” (2011), defines
Presence as the energy essence that you radiate or emanate, either as an individual or a collective, simply by being who you are. Transformation is a shift from one state of being to another. (pg. 1)
Seale goes on to define “Transformational Presence” as
a state of being in which one lives, leads, works, and engages in life from a place of profound alignment with one’s soul, one’s soul mission or life purpose, and the greater Consciousness. This presence opens the door to the greater potential waiting to emerge in any moment, situation, or circumstance, and to become a steward for that potential to manifest. (pg.2)
In chapter four of his book, Mr. Seale illustrates and explains the Vertical and Horizontal Orientations of Awareness and uses the ancient symbol of the cross as a powerful metaphor for the two orientations to living: vertical and horizontal. These two aspects representing our doing and our being as shown is his illustration below. (pg. 26)
The vertical plane represents being – who we, as individuals or organizations, are at our essence and the alignment of who we are with Consciousness. The horizontal orientation represents doing – action and accomplishment in the physical world. Where these two lines meet in the center, where being and doing come together, is the area of our greatest impact and accomplishment. … Neither is sustainable in daily life without the other. However, when both are fully engaged, great things can happen. (pg.24)
When we show up to life from the place where being and doing come together we can act as co-creators of our world empowering and manifesting that which we most desire.
CO-CREATION AND MANIFESTATION
To co-create we mean two or more things coming together to create something of greater purpose or potential. From the standpoint of our own potential and drawing on the powers within and outside our universe we speak of co-creating with every situation or circumstance that we encounter. As Mr. Seale points out,
everything that comes to us – whether it is a feeling, a comment, a circumstance, a challenge, or an outcome – is an opportunity for co-creation. Everything, whether or not we thought we wanted it, offers an opportunity to choose what we wish to create. Therefore, our first question in any situation or circumstance must be, “What is the opportunity here? How can I accept this opportunity and work/play/create with it rather than resist it? ….. We take whatever comes and work with it. …when you embrace rather than push away, you can transform the energy of the situation. (Introduction, pg xx)
PATHWAYS TO ALIGHMENT – A FORMULA FOR CHANGE
Over the centuries many famous philosophers, doctors, mystics and laypersons have documented their insights, formula, secrets and methods to inner peace, self-actualization and personal development. The means and methods are varied and yet the basic principles are the same. Outlining here some of the fundamental steps to guiding your client to this place of personal peace and happiness.