Transcend

The New Science of Self-Actualization

By: Scott Barry Kaufman PhD

Narrated by: Scott Barry Kaufman PhD

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

A bold reimagining of Maslow's famous hierarchy of needs - and new insights for realizing your full potential and living your most creative, fulfilled, and connected life.

When psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman first discovered Maslow's unfinished theory of transcendence, sprinkled throughout a cache of unpublished journals, lectures, and essays, he felt a deep resonance with his own work and life. In this groundbreaking book, Kaufman picks up where Maslow left off, unraveling the mysteries of his unfinished theory, and integrating these ideas with the latest research on attachment, connection, creativity, love, purpose and other building blocks of a life well lived.

Kaufman's new hierarchy of needs provides a roadmap for finding purpose and fulfillment - not by striving for money, success, or "happiness," but by becoming the best version of ourselves, or what Maslow called self-actualization. While self-actualization is often thought of as a purely individual pursuit, Maslow believed that the full realization of potential requires a merging between self and the world. We don't have to choose either self-development or self-sacrifice, but at the highest level of human potential we show a deep integration of both. Transcend reveals this level of human potential that connects us not only to our highest creative potential, but also to one another.

With never-before-published insights and new research findings, along with exercises and opportunities to gain insight into your own unique personality, this empowering book is a manual for self-analysis and nurturing a deeper connection not only with our highest potential but also with the rest of humanity.

Includes a PDF of growth challenges to begin your personal journey, as well as seven principles for becoming a whole person.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Scott Barry Kaufman (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“The concept of self-actualization and the transcendent values, which include justice, beauty, meaningfulness, and wholeness, provide a blueprint for a better world. This very well-written volume not only captures Maslow’s work but infuses it with the spirit of inspiration. This book is a major advance in psychology." (Aaron T. Beck, MD, University Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania)

Really a lot of great information, but the voice!

This book is a weatlh of well thought out information, interesting and thought provoking.
Though, each evening that I sit down to listen... Scott's voice puts me right to sleep. I would not want to discourage other listeners. Perhaps your experience will be different. But, the dialog is so deep... and Scott's delivery is so even... I doze off every time!
I'm going to buy a traditional paper copy.

life changing book

concepts presented clearly and logically
lays out a roadmap to transcendance and integrating a better way of being into the human experience.
worth a second listen.
thank you scott and abraham

Enlightening

There's a lot to take in, but its nicely organized and I did feel.taht there is hope .. for a more meaningful, fulfilling, connected, satisfying life. I am likely to buy this in book form and read it more carefully still.

awesome

very positive and motivating! would recommend to anyone looking for their purpose, or curious about the heights of human nature.

Inspiring

Scott Barry Kaufman demonstrates the possibilities of what humans can achieve through mindfulness and self-growth. This is a guidebook for living a fulfilling life.

A phenomenal learning experience

I loved every minute of this recording. so many incredible ideas culminated into an easy listen thanks to Scott’s excellent writing and narrating. I was mesmerised to learn so much of contemporary human potential ideals originate in Maslow’s research. This book is wonderful!

This book transcends all expectations

I just finished listening to The book in the reading of the author himself, by the way splendidly read.
It is rare to encounter a book that is so whole, so rigorously researched, inspiring, human and beautiful all at once. Can’t recommend it enough for everyone that ever wondered about existence, their own inner life and psychology or just human life in general. I guess that must be everyone.
I am buying this book now in hard cover to be able to read again, and again and take notes!

Best popular psychology book I've read in a while

I don't remember the last time I actually reached the end of a pop-science/self-help book. This one was fascinating all the way through. No redundancies, every chapter presents new and exciting insights, which are both interesting for understanding human nature and useful for reflecting on my personal motivations. I'm right in the middle of a major career shift and this book was extremely helpful in clarifying my real goals and needs. I'd recommend sticking through the first few minutes despite the unexciting narration - the author is the narrator, so you can expect a gentle geeky sort of talk, not a sharp sounding actor or journalist, but easy to get used to after a few minutes.

Enjoyed this book

I found the content to be satisfactorily thorough and interesting. There was a useful blend of research based references and real, practical examples. A nice offering in checklist type questions and tools.

Academic but enlightening

The material in this book reminds me of "Behave" by Robert Sapolsky; an extensive literature review of the science related to human nature. However, unlike that book which was at least twice the length of this book, I can feel the drag in the words. It is very academic listing off study after study in a very dry tone that the author's reading does not help. At least Behave injected humor between the academics to help the medicine go down.

However, beyond this rather shallow critique it is a solid book for those interested in personal growth albeit from a theoretical rather than practical standpoint. Instead of wondering "How do I become more productive?" this book attempts to answer the question "How do I become more human?" which in the grand scheme of things may be a more worthwhile question to ponder.