Strange People

Most famous human beings are not self-actualized. Most self-actualized human beings are not famous.

Maslow misses the point severely. Achievements alone matter for nothing. Having enough cash to wait it out until the next paycheck is a need thrust upon us by a very "basic" American society. We can't ignore that concern. When we turn to his "inventory," we either answer honestly and look "basic," or we lie our way up his pyramid.

A different inventory would be more helpful, if it could be devised. It would focus upon what one wishes to do and hopes to achieve in life. That's what matters most of all.

The greater modern folk heroes, whether they're "cash-first," "self-actualized" or "briefly transcended," illustrate the differences between those who are momentarily inspired and then decide to rejoin their "basic" culture, and those others who are considered "odd" because they truly do "march to the beat of a different drummer," living for extended periods of their lives, or for the most important moment of their lives, in a transcended state, aware of truths others cannot yet see.

The self-actualized, because they are ahead of their time, are unusual and extremely rare. It's difficult for "basic" people to engage in frank conversations with them. They who rise above "stick out" in various ways, as "odd" creatures, particularly in "cash-first" cultures like ours. The brightest among them realize how unusual they are, and they conceal their motivations, making it surprisingly difficult to identify their self-actualized state of mind and soul.

Obviously, not every "odd" person is self-actualized. Unlike many "odd" people, transcendent individuals are hardly ever uncivil. They are not destitute. They are not vagrants. They work for a living (but they don't work for the same reasons you and I work). They don't put themselves into a frenzy about making money. They have no desire to be rich. They're extremely intelligent and naturally philosophical about life. After you gain their confidence and show them that you are out for further enlightenment rather than confrontation (for the moment, at least), they'll say, "OK, if that's what you want, I'll tell how I feel. I had an experience, and it deeply affected me, and most people don't agree with me, but here's how I see it ..."

When you get an opportunity to listen to a person speak to you in this way, take advantage of it. You will be hearing a self-actualized perspective on some matter, and you would be wise to put aside all your prejudices long enough to open your mind and strive to understand. Most likely, you will be lifted out of yourself to see the universe in a different light, making you feel quite uncomfortable. But let it happen. It will be an important learning moment in your life.

In order to identify them, it is important to recognize common traits of the self-actualized. However, enlightened souls are not the only people to display these characteristics. In fact, some mighty dangerous people share them. Nevertheless, you can look for the self-actualized by observing some patterns.