Reimagining Maslow for Today’s World
Scott Barry Kaufman’s Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization is both a tribute to and a reworking of Abraham Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs. Where Maslow envisioned a pyramid culminating in self-actualization, Kaufman introduces a sailboat model, a more fluid and dynamic metaphor that better captures the ebb and flow of human life.
Rather than climbing toward a fixed summit, Kaufman suggests that we navigate a sea of uncertainty, with safety and security forming the boat itself, while growth, exploration, and connection fill the sails. This subtle shift feels profoundly relevant for those of us who recognize that human development is not linear but alive, relational, and adaptive.
Beyond the Pyramid
The heart of Transcend is Kaufman’s exploration of what it means to grow beyond basic survival. He carefully examines psychological research on creativity, meaning, flow, and transcendence, weaving it into a model that is deeply human and less rigid than the traditional hierarchy. The sailboat invites us to see stability not as an end in itself, but as the grounding that allows us to set our sails toward deeper fulfilment.
What struck me most is Kaufman’s emphasis on “healthy self-actualization.” He counters the popular stereotype of self-actualization as a self-centred pursuit, instead framing it as a way of becoming more open, compassionate, and engaged with the world. This resonates with my own belief that purpose and growth are not private treasures but collective contributions.
Transcendence as Everyday Experience
The book’s title might suggest rare mystical states, but Kaufman’s framing of transcendence is refreshingly accessible. He describes it as a mode of being available in everyday life: a quiet sense of connection, creativity, or awe. These moments don’t require withdrawal from the world but arise when we are both secure in ourselves and open to others.
This everyday transcendence feels aligned with soulful living. It reminds us that depth is not found by escaping life’s demands but by engaging with them in ways that foster meaning, imagination, and wholeness.
A Gentle Invitation
Kaufman’s writing is research-based yet hopeful, making complex psychology approachable. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all path, he acknowledges that human flourishing takes many forms. His sailboat model allows for setbacks, detours, and renewal, which makes it both compassionate and realistic.
If you’ve ever struggled with the rigid or perfectionist interpretations of Maslow’s hierarchy, this book offers a gentler, more flexible alternative. It affirms that becoming our best self is not about chasing an ideal but about learning to navigate life with both stability and openness.
Closing Reflections
Transcend is not a quick-fix self-help manual. It is a reflective and research-rich exploration of what it means to live fully. Kaufman gives us a language for thinking about personal growth that honours both the individual journey and the collective context.
For anyone drawn to soulful living and inner growth, Transcend offers both a map and a compass – not to direct us toward a single destination but to help us navigate our unique journey with courage, compassion, and curiosity.
Kaufman’s vision resonates deeply with the Soulful Living & Inner Growth theme of my work. If this inspires you, you can explore more through my free guide Walking the Soulful Path (with practical tools and monthly newsletter), or dive deeper into the Soulful Path to Life Purpose programme, where you can chart your own journey of meaning and growth