Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Materialism vs Spirituality.

Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist and philosopher. He was born on April 1, 1908, in New York, USA. Abraham Maslow first introduced the concept of the hierarchy of needs in his article 'A Theory of Human Motivation' in 1943 and in his book 'Motivation and Personality.' The hierarchy of human needs developed by Maslow is represented as a graphic.

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The most notable aspect of his work is the clear exposition of the difference between being situated at the base levels of the pyramid and desiring and valuing a position at its pinnacle.The lowest levels refer to the most basic and fundamental material and physical needs. Meanwhile, at the apex of the pyramid lies the most spiritual part of the Human Being. The lower layers of the pyramid are shared with animal species; however, the need situated at the top of the pyramid is unique to the human species: the recognition of one's own being, inner and spiritual strength, which is characteristic of the human species, synthesizing its most subliminal self. Reaching this pinnacle would be, is, the most yearned-for and crucial part that gives life meaning and purpose.

Reaching this peak would be, is, the most desired and crucial part that gives meaning to life and endows it with purpose.

The stages or levels developed by Maslow in his studies help to understand the different phases of human growth, but not necessarily in the same individual. If we focus on it from a societal point of view, the result of the analysis is very revealing. A society that is based on meeting the most basic needs, and not only manages to meet them but thrives on them, yet does not value the spiritual fulfillment of the individual, will become stuck in a world of technological achievements, but few spiritual ones. Our current society is in this scenario. One must ask, why is there a growing number of suicides among the younger ones, even becoming the leading cause of death? They have their basic needs met, as they have never been before in this society, and enjoy great technological advances that are easily accessible. However, today’s society does not value or reward spiritual growth or the pursuit of subliminal self-objectives. President John F. Kennedy said: An economically rich society cannot afford to be spiritually poor.

Analyzing this, we can begin to see the differences that arise between people who focus on achieving the utmost of one state or another. It is not necessary to strive to be at the peak, that is, valuing more spiritual activities that help in achieving the maximum intellectual and spiritual potential, to have absolute control over the merely material part, or of security, situated at the foundations. A good example is the artists and writers of the romanticism period, many of whom lived poorly, but never gave up on their self-realization and maximum expression of their most subliminal creative self. In this line are religious orders, like the Franciscans or Buddhist monks. They renounce their personal enrichment, valuing their spiritual self-realization through service to others and the tireless improvement of their higher self.

In the same vein, having a comfortable position in terms of material and social level does not mean that the individual subsequently seeks their spiritual improvement and more subliminal and creative self-realization. That is to say, the pyramid is not filled in stages and from the base, but instead each individual positions themselves on the scale that holds the most meaning for the development of their life. Those who focus on the triumph of maximum material potential hardly value achieving their own in the spiritual field. In the 1990s, there was talk of 'self-help books' with a certain disdain. It is only after the emergence and popularity of the work of Coaches, NLP, and great scientific authors studying metaphysics and personal empowerment that a movement began in the business world, valuing the pursuit of excellence. Something that at least brought the material closer to the spiritual, even if it was mainly motivated by professional success. It is important to highlight, however, the great resurgence that the study of metaphysics had starting in the 1850s, which culminated between 1900 and 1930 with movements such as Mentalism and New Thought, and figures as relevant as Joseph Murphy, Ralph Waldo Emerson, or the very popular Napoleon Hill, author of "Think and Grow Rich." These metaphysical currents unite spirituality and financial success as something natural and as a consequence of knowing how to delve into and master the knowledge of universal spiritual laws.

The things that elevate the spirit are not difficult to obtain: Nature, flowers, books, poetry, beauty in all its expressions, bringing peace and serenity.

The things that elevate the spirit are not difficult to obtain: Nature, flowers, books, poetry, beauty in all its expressions, bringing peace and serenity.

We must strive for a society that does not place technological successes above the most intimate spiritual ones. We run the risk of repeating the legend-story of Atlantis, revolutionaries in their technology, poor in their spirituality, which ultimately led to their self-destruction.

Bibliography:

A Theory of Human Motivation. Maslow, Abraham.

The Self-Actualizing Man. Maslow, Abraham.

The Creative Personality. Maslow, Abraham.

Future Visions. Maslow, Abraham.

Religions, Values, and Peak Experiences. Maslow, Abraham.