Scott Barry Kaufman’s Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization reimagines one of psychology’s most familiar models. Many of us know Maslow’s “hierarchy of needs,” the pyramid culminating in self-actualization, but Kaufman offers something more fluid and life-like: the sailboat. In his model, security and stability form the boat’s hull, while the sails open us to growth, exploration, and connection. This image feels both contemporary and compassionate, acknowledging that life is not about climbing toward a summit but navigating shifting waters.
What makes Kaufman’s work so compelling is his insistence that self-actualization is not a selfish pursuit. Instead, it is about becoming more open, creative, and compassionate – qualities that naturally extend beyond ourselves. He reframes transcendence not as a rare mystical peak but as an everyday possibility: the awe of a starry sky, the flow of creative work, the joy of deep connection.
Kaufman draws on rich psychological research but keeps the writing accessible, offering a vision of growth that is realistic about setbacks while encouraging us to keep setting our sails toward meaning. His model allows for detours and renewals, reminding us that thriving is not about reaching perfection but about cultivating resilience and openness.
For those interested in soulful living and inner growth, Transcend offers both insight and inspiration. It provides a compass rather than a rigid map – inviting us to chart our own journeys with courage, compassion, and curiosity.
This review also connects with my Begin with the End in Mind series, where I explore how Kaufman’s vision of transcendence can shape our understanding of what it means to live – and end – well.
Read my full review to see why Kaufman’s sailboat model feels so timely and why it might just change the way you think about personal growth.