Is it okay to want self-actualization during a time of collective crisis?
I am admittedly very much oriented towards ideas, and more importantly, experiences of soul alignment, freedom, autonomy, self-sovereignty, self-actualization. Ideas and concepts that appear to be highly individualistic.
I sometimes feel hesitant about, or doubt my orientation toward these ideas: does my affinity for these concepts come from my personality, privilege, White, Eurocentric, individualistic ontological norms that not only seem to be outdated but also destructive toward the planet and marginalized populations? There is so much new (and old) evidence that indicates our selves are much larger than these individual capsules of flesh, bone and skin. And, it is clear that we co-regulate and develop self understanding in relationship- through dialogue, song, dance, witnessing, through seeing how we’re not alone, and how we might have a lot of shared reality and shared experience with people of very different backgrounds.
Even in the context of newer understandings of interdependence and interconnectedness, and even in the academic and mental health realms where the concept of “self” is being reworked and re-conceived, IMO there still remains the importance of self-actualization, soul alignment, and the highly personal pursuit of individual longings, dreams and visions.
A parent who stands in their self-sovereignty, autonomy, and chooses to make unconventional or even radical choices that don’t necessarily center the experience of their child/children, nevertheless, serves as an inspirational and exceptional model to that child of what it means to do authentic and integrous adulting.
An individual who chooses to follow their soul’s path and longing creates and gifts so much vitality and inspiration into the world, which impacts the collective in ways they wouldn’t be able to if they were merely trying to survive capitalism, or following their parents’ dreams, or adapting to society’s norms—a clearly sick society at that.
Furthermore, as one begins to clear internal mental and emotional space, begins to heal traumas, and starts to create a more expansive awareness (this may be a long journey by the way)——another voice comes through that cannot be easily deterred. The soul’s voice and vision, or source energy that wants to move through us. Paradoxically, as this space opens up—-the pathways that are aligned with the soul seem to become more specific and narrow. So that one who might have, in the past, simply wanted to help people heal through being a yoga teacher, climate activist, massage practitioner, life coach, therapist, or practitioner of a wide array of healing modalities, now will no longer settle for just any broad healing path. A soul whose destiny is to be a poet will not settle to be a psychotherapist. Not that you can’t be a poet psychotherapist—-it’s just that the soul’s energy and vitality is much more aligned with poetry than it is with psychotherapy, and one can start to feel which choices and actions are fully resonant and which are not quite at that level.
All of this is my way of saying that I still believe there is a place for following one’s dreams and “living one’s best life” without trying to colonize Mars or hoard as much money as possible. It is okay, more than okay——beautiful and acceptable for you to thrive and experience a tremendous degree of expansion, freedom, love…..even as the world turns and burns, even with the ravages of racism and oppression. Wtihout burying your head in the sand or ignoring that injustice exists, you can be a well-regulated, loving, purpose-driven individual who helps the collective heal from your mere grounded, creative and expansive presence, from your art, your music, and your pursuits that may not directly appear to be solving the most pressing social and environmental issues of our time. And in some sense, if you listen closely to the soul’s voice, you may not have much choice around it.