Counter-culture, self-actualization and anti-war movements.
These grew to define the post-war era of the 20th century. Spawning the hippie movement, the rapid shifts in liberalism and perhaps, one of the most definitive changes of its time – the human potential movement.
The disgruntled youth of that time knew rebellion and practiced it. This was in response to what they considered, outdated, misinformed and counter-productive ideas.
Despite the seemingly negative context, the movement was a step towards positivity. The underlying premise was the belief that there was more to the human mind. It sought to access untapped potential and nurture it. It believes that within each of us lies a drive towards self-fulfillment, truth, and spiritual awareness.
While this has impacted America and its culture, to understand it, we first need to know its origins.
The Human Potential Movement: Tracing the Origin
The fuel behind the movement is generally traced to the strides in psychology taken by A. Maslow and his hierarchy of human needs. He, among Carl Rogers, was in turn, highly influenced by the likes of Sigmund Freud, Friedrich Nietzsche. Maslow is credited with founding humanistic psychology and Carl Rogers with client-centric therapy.
Together the two branches have helped create a strong foundation for the movement that borrowed elements of the two, like:
- An emphasis on positive social change
- A focus on “self” combined with altruism
- A positive or more optimistic outlook on human behavior
- An undying pursuit of “self-actualization”
- Transcendence and human goodness
Another contributing factor to this movement was the Esalen Institution at Big Sur, in California. The institution held a variety of workshops and lectures for psychologists and humanists of that time, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of humanistic psychology as well as philosophy.
And so with the combined influence of this growing ideology, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the general craving for alternative culture, the movement swung into motion.
The Impact on American Education and Culture
While impact cannot be measured, we can identify traces of this philosophy within larger ideas and policies. From education to spirituality, cultural impact can be felt everywhere.
Education
Traditional styles of teaching and the whole concept of education focused on knowledge. Instead of a singular dimension, it advocates accessing the several layers of human understanding.
With the spawn of the movement, came an increasing emphasis on soft skills, effective communication and problem-solving. It encouraged a more self-reflective, practical approach instead of theory.
Spirituality, Religion, and Materialism
Where the social norm seeks religion, the counter-culture delves towards the inner-self and the ideas of consciousness. Above all else, the movement embraces individuality and self-awareness. This can be observed through various facets.
Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health
We see a stronger emphasis on mental health now more than ever. It is regarded as the defining factor of good relationships, professional success and general happiness. It takes both, physical wellness and mental wellness to achieve maximum potential.
Self-awareness
A huge population has taken to yoga, meditation and other practices that aim at spiritual wellness. The ideas of Buddhist philosophy have been growing in popularity with the growing emphasis on self-expression and the “money isn’t everything” philosophy.
Liberalism and Morality
Current culture also reflects the impacts of the movement with its approach towards religion induced guilt in the context of sexuality and perceived “sin”. Morality is recognized as subjective and self-expression is encouraged.
New Age Mantras: “Your Best Life Now”
You may recognize the concept of “your best life now”, that in essence describes the entire human potential movement. It encourages you to eliminate “toxicity” in the form of friends and acquaintances and pushes you towards a more self-fulfilling route. Perhaps, a millennial fad, but the ideology is solid.
However, most people do not find this easy to accomplish. They may know their aspirations, but their potential remains unknown even to themselves. In circumstances like these, there are courses and workshops that can assist you in your pursuit.
Check this helpful link for a great example of these courses that are designed to help you through your own journey of self-actualization and fulfillment.
Ideology and Execution
Though the human potential movement receives a lot of criticism for its associations with “narcissism”, the ideology has solid roots. What critics often observe is the flawed execution of these ideas. Where one might observe self-indulgent tendencies, the individual in question may consider it self-improvement.
The intention may be present, but the manifestation may be perceived through a different lens. In the current age of influencers, social media, and self-expression, you can see that there’s a fine line. It isn’t always easy to tell the two apart.
Is Balance the Answer?
Now while the criticisms may have their points, the true pursuits within the human potential movements are achieving that self-fulfillment through selfless means. Maslow himself identified the likes of Albert Einstein and Mother Theresa who he deemed to have achieved their full potential or self-actualization through social change.
For most people, a life devoted to a single cause may not be the answer. Instead, the life that achieves the right balance between self-indulgence, social change and awareness are. Achieving a few aspirations along the way and meeting the lower tier needs creates that ultimate sense of satisfaction.
However, this sense of fulfillment is, of course, subjective as well.
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