Self-transcendence: Some Suggestions to Transcend One’s Limitations
Attaining transcendence means going beyond certain limitations. The term can be used to describe a state of moving beyond physical needs and realities. One sense of achieving transcendence is letting go of material needs or not prioritizing one’s physical or biological aspect.
Being able to do what one once not capable of doing is a form of transcendence. Self-transcendence is self-improvement. (Read also: Recognize how the human body imposes limits and possibilities for transcendence)
Philosophy professor and textbook author Jensen DG. Mañebog offers the following five ways or suggestions to transcend our own limitations (Mañebog, 2013):
a. Be optimistic
Achieving transcendence is not to allow our self to be affected by our own self-imposed limitations and negative thoughts. Without constantly checking them, our thoughts may limit our perspective and faculties, especially if pessimism is deeply embedded in our mind. The key is to examine carefully our own thoughts and strive to suspend or counter disbelief.
b. Set realistic goals and targets
Transcending oneself entails having something to aim for. Goals can be disposing of bad attitudes and habits, improving physical and mental health, keeping away from harmful stresses, or allotting more time to studying and less to using cellphone.
Related: Share His/Her Unique Characteristics, Habits, and Experiences (Why and How)
Targets can be potent motivation that when we achieve an improvement, we are inspired to raise the target. Requiring fortitude and diligence, transcendence involves not giving up even if goals towards improvement are hard.
c. Be committed
Do not expect half-hearted endeavors to produce transcendence. What it takes is being fully committed and being able to concentrate on worthy undertakings. Concentration is the capacity to focus on certain things. Our attention is normally scattered and thus our energy is likewise dispersed. But when we learn to concentrate, we will gain dedicated focus and our self-improvement will come naturally.
d. Learn new things
Learning is like a muscle that can be exercised and developed. The more we continue to use our mind, the easier learning will be for us. We must examine in which areas we could do more and which aspects of our life we would like to transcend. Possessing an adventurous and exploratory spirit can make a world of difference in self-discovery and self-improvement.
e. Be positively unique
Going with the flow may be convenient but is not always good on some currents. If all we do is go with the flow, we will be caught in the crosscurrents or go over a cascade.
We need sense of direction and we need to row, too. We also have no obligation to listen to critics’ negativity, doubts, suspicions, and disbelief. Dispensing with negativity results in being free to aim for the highest and the best we can be.
Related: Evaluate own limitations and the possibilities for transcendence
*If you want to look for other topics in Intro to Philo of Man and other subjects, search here:
Note: Teachers may share this as a reading assignment of their students. For other free lectures like this (especially for students), visit Homepage: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
*Free lectures on the subject Pambungad sa Pilosopiya ng Tao
Read also: Reasoning and Debate: A Handbook and a Textbook by Jensen DG. Mañebog
Related Articles:
Do a philosophical reflection on a concrete situation from a holistic perspective
Realize the Value of Doing Philosophy in Obtaining a Broad Perspective on Life
Distinguish a Holistic Perspective from a Partial Point of View (Holism vs Partial Perspective)
The Blind Men and the Elephant: Attaining a Holistic Perspective
Mga Libreng Lektura para sa Pambungad sa Pilosopiya ng Tao:
Ang Pagkakaiba ng Pangkabuuang Pananaw at Pananaw ng mga Bahagi Lamang
Ang Halaga ng Pamimilosopiya sa Pagkakaroon ng Malawakang pananaw
Pagmumuni-muni sa Suliranin sa Pilosopikong Paraan at Pamimilosopiya sa Buhay
Also read: From Socrates to Mill: An Analysis of Prominent Ethical Theories by Jensen DG. Mañebog
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