How can we use the many forms of self-transcendence to empower ourselves to shift our perceptions to embrace inner-calm and ignite our sense of self-worth and value?
This excerpt from an article published at PositivePsychology.com offers us some important insights into this valuable tool.

Excerpt from Positive Psychology by Courtney E Ackerman, MA

 

6 Examples of Self-Transcendence

The quintessential example of self-transcendence is undoubtedly Viktor Frankl’s experience in the concentration camps of World War II.

Despite his great personal suffering (and frequently having few or none of the hierarchy needs met)—or perhaps because of it—Frankl found a higher purpose in his life. He was able to put his own needs and interests aside and see the big picture and how he fits into it.

Many prisoners in the camps succumbed to despair and dehumanization, losing their fight for life, liberty, and a sense of self; however, some in the camps actually seemed to retain or even further develop their sense of self and find or reaffirm their life’s purpose. These rare individuals are another case study in self-transcendence.

Of course, one does not need to undergo prolonged suffering to reach self-transcendence; according to Maslow, it can be reached by anyone.

It’s hard to pinpoint other examples of self-transcendence, but its four characteristics will ensure that you know it when you see it:

  1. A shift in focus from the self to others – this shift from selfishness and egoism to consideration of the needs of others is a marker of self-transcendence and is the most salient and important feature.
  2. A shift in values – those who have achieved self-transcendence no longer find themselves driven by extrinsic motivation, or external rewards and demands, but by intrinsic motivation (the reward for an activity is the activity itself).
  3. An increase in moral concern – self-transcendence brings with it a more intensive focus on doing what is right.
  4. Emotions of elevation – these experiences of higher-order emotions can be triggered by all three of the characteristics described above; the emotions include awe, ecstasy, amazement, feeling uplifted, feeling elevated, etc. (Wong, 2017).

If you know anyone who is constantly working to meet the needs of less fortunate others, who is driven not by money or rewards but by an internal drive and is always concerned with doing the right thing, you likely have an example of self-transcendence right in front of you!.

 

How to Achieve Self-Transcendence

If you want to achieve self-transcendence for yourself, there are ways to go about it. It’s not an easy path, as it represents the highest heights of human development, beyond even Maslow’s rarely achieved self-actualization.

However, there are a few things you can do to propel your development and reach toward self-transcendence:

  1. Discover what puts you into “theta” (the quiet and peaceful state just between asleep and awake) and harness it to enter the inspirational and expanded state more often.
  2. Practice meditation, whether through the stereotypical sitting on a cushion with crossed legs or through mindful activities (mindful listening, mindful walking, mindful eating, etc.).
  3. Make time to get creative, and allow it to lead to inspiration, new experiences, and self-transcendence.
  4. Keep a journal, even if you’re not a strong writer—especially if you’re not a strong writer. Put your thoughts and feelings onto paper to separate yourself from them.
  5. Get out of the house and go where you are closest to nature; allow yourself to “commune” with nature, finding inspiration, healing, and perhaps a sense of transcendence through nature.
  6. Engage in “shadow work”—make time to reflect and dive into your deepest, darkest parts. It’s vital to acknowledge and address that which is worst in us as well as that which is best in us.
  7. Practice excellence—in whatever you do, wherever you go, whoever you’re within your day-to-day life. It doesn’t really matter what it is (as long as it’s not harmful to anyone), all that matters is that you’re doing what you do well (Eckl, 2017).

Further, author Stephanie Flood proposes five creative ways to achieve self-transcendence inspired by Buddhism:

  1. Explore basic meditation techniques—even if you’re an experienced meditator!
  2. Empower yourself with knowledge and wisdom to build your awareness.
  3. Don’t be afraid of the journey—spiritually or physically—to find insight.
  4. Find your own spiritual techniques that bring you closer to your higher purpose and your ideal self.
  5. Raise your vibrations (i.e., live in a positive and transcendence-conducive environment)

Although these tips can help, the most important factor in achieving self-transcendence is simply an awareness and openness to the idea. When we open ourselves up to the good in life, we cannot help but be changed by the experience. Keep your mind and your heart open to self-transcendence, and you will have taken the first and most vital step to achieving it.

 9 Quotes on Self-Transcendence

The quotes below come from a wide range of sources, from authors and laymen to philosophers and gurus, but they all manage to capture the essence of self-transcendence:

“What would happen if you gave yourself permission to do something you’ve never done before? There’s only one way to find out.” 

Gina Greenlee

“I do not have any set goal; my goal is self-transcendence. I always try to transcend myself. I do not compete with the rest of the world. I compete only with myself, and I try to become a better human being. This is my ultimate goal.” 

Sri Chinmoy

“Only to the extent that someone is living out this self transcendence of human existence, is he truly human or does he become his true self. He becomes so, not by concerning himself with his self-s actualization, but by forgetting himself and giving himself, overlooking himself and focusing outward.” 

Viktor Frankl

“Awe is the emotion of self-transcendence.” 

Jonathan Haidt

“The bond that attaches us to the life outside ourselves is the same bond that holds us to our own life.” 

William Barrett

“I long to embrace, to include in my own short life, all that is accessible to man.” 

Anton Chekhov

“It is essential to our health and happiness that we dedicate ourselves to some kind of mission or purpose that transcends the mundane hustle and bustle of daily living.”

Oli Anderson

“Our present conscious self and our shadow must learn how to coexist. The first step to attaining personal transcendence commences when the conscious mind and the unconscious mind square off and battle for preeminence. A person who achieves self-realization understands the interworking of both their conscious mind and the unconscious mind and integrates their unique dichotomy into their sense of a self.” 

Kilroy J. Oldster

“Self-transcendence gives us joy in boundless measure. When we transcend ourselves, we do not compete with others. We do not compete with the rest of the world, but at every moment we compete with ourselves. We compete only with our previous achievements. And each time we surpass our previous achievements, we get joy.” 

Sri Chinmoy