Affirmation Beyond Maslow's Hierarchy

All about Self-esteem by Teru Nakashima, Japan

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Briefing Document: Teru Nakashima's "Affirmation Desire"

Source: Excerpts from "Pasted Text" (Author: Teru Nakashima, representative of the Self-Affirmation Academy)

Main Theme: The importance of "affirmation desire" – self-acceptance and self-affirmation – as a crucial element for self-realization, going beyond Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and overcoming the pitfalls of solely seeking external validation.

Key Ideas and Facts:

• Beyond Maslow's Hierarchy: Nakashima builds on Maslow's five-stage hierarchy of needs (physiological, safety, social, esteem, self-actualization) by introducing an additional layer he calls "affirmation desire" .
• Distinction between Affirmation Desire and Approval Desire: He clearly differentiates affirmation desire from approval desire , emphasizing that the former is the desire to accept and acknowledge oneself, whereas the latter is the desire to be recognized by others .
• The Limitations of Approval Seeking: The text argues that relying solely on external validation or approval can lead to dependency and a perpetual need for more external affirmation. "For example, if someone tells you 'it's okay to be yourself,' you may feel temporarily satisfied. However, it can lead to increased dependency or a continuous search for approval."
• Self-Acceptance as the Key to Independence: Nakashima argues that cultivating self-acceptance (自己受容) is vital for independent action and resilience to external opinions. "When you truly accept 'This is me,' 'This is my life,' you become able to act independently, unswayed by the evaluations of others."
• Innate Self-Affirmation: The author claims that individuals are born without self-doubt or the need for self-negation. "Newborn babies do not know how to deny themselves. We were originally supposed to be without feelings of self-denial such as 'I am worthless' or 'I may be hated.'" He suggests that societal interactions and environmental factors contribute to developing self-doubt.
• Recovering Self-Affirmation: The overall message is encouraging, suggesting that people can rediscover and reclaim their innate self-affirmation and build a stronger sense of self. The goal is to reach a point where one can confidently say, "This is me!"
• Basis in Experience: Nakashima states that his ideas are based on 30 years of personal experience and clinical work with 15,000 individuals.

In Essence: This excerpt proposes that achieving true self-realization requires developing a strong sense of self-affirmation, which goes beyond merely seeking external approval. It suggests that self-acceptance is the foundation for independence, resilience, and genuine self-expression, and that this self-acceptance is something we are born with but often lose due to external influences. The excerpt encourages readers to actively cultivate their self-affirmation and reclaim their authentic selves.

Teru Nakashima, All about Self-esteem