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Wholeness
“All of Being, when viewed from an ‘Olympian’ point of view and seen from its better side, is neutral or good, while evil, pain, or danger are phenomena of incompleteness — the result of an inability to see the world in its wholeness and unity and of perceiving it from an egocentric or overly low point of view. (Of course, this does not mean denying the existence of evil, pain, or death, but rather reconciling oneself with these phenomena and understanding their necessity.)”
Wholeness is a key idea when we look at life from the height of the “Olympian” perspective Maslow recommended. 🤔 We often get stuck in subjective viewpoints and experience stress when we cannot see the world as a single whole. An inability to accept the universe in all its many-sidedness can create a sense of pain and inner conflict. It is a reminder of how important it is to strive for a fuller perspective in which even negative moments acquire meaning.
In everyday life people often meet difficulties that seem insurmountable. Yet if we perceive these challenges as parts of a larger process, as elements of a complex but harmonious picture, we may find hidden possibilities for growth and development inside them. 🌀 This approach echoes contemporary mindfulness and acceptance-oriented psychology, where the emphasis is on accepting the present moment in its fullness without immediately trying to change the situation. In this way we create conditions for personal growth and self-knowledge.
In today's world, full of speed and change, this understanding feels especially relevant. The effort to see the unity of the world allows us not only to be more at peace with ourselves, but also to perceive our surroundings more fully, finding harmony in life's constant movement. 🌍 It inspires a search both within ourselves and beyond the ordinary, making us more resilient in crises and more open to new information and experience.
Category: Dark and Light Side of Personality
Questions about this article
01What does wholeness mean in Abraham Maslow's thought?
In this authorial mini post, wholeness means seeing pain, evil, and danger within a wider unity without denying their reality. Drawing on Abraham Maslow's Toward a Psychology of Being, the text connects this perspective with acceptance, self-knowledge, and personal growth.
02What does Maslow's “Olympian” point of view mean?
It is a metaphor for a broader perspective in which individual painful events are viewed as parts of a whole. The post uses it as a way to move beyond egocentric and fragmentary perception.
03Does a holistic perspective deny evil, pain, or death?
No. Maslow's quoted passage explicitly distinguishes wholeness from denial: it calls for acknowledging these phenomena, trying to understand their place in experience, and reconciling oneself with their existence.
04How can the idea of wholeness be applied in everyday life?
The author suggests viewing difficulties within a larger process rather than reducing all experience to one crisis. The post relates this stance to mindfulness, acceptance of the present, and the search for opportunities for growth.