Transcendence

Many people admire Mark Zuckerberg being a co-founder and CEO of the socialnetworking website Facebook, which he started in his college dorm room at Harvard University. He’s one of the world’s youngest billionaires in this generation.

Like Mark, all people have dreams that they want to fulfill. If you were finally able to meet your dreams, how would you feel?

● Do you think your perspective in life will change?

The previous example talks about transcendence or a state of “existence above and beyond the limits of material experience.”

Transcendence originated from the words Trans, meaning “go beyond”, and scandare, meaning “climb”.

In the example, fulfilling a dream requires transcendence because it opens a state of thinking and feeling that there is something more in life than just physical and material things. Much like Abraham Maslow’s self-actualization concepts, transcendence is a state of being intrinsically satisfied with life regardless of physical and tangible factors.

● LIMITATIONS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR TRANSCENDENCE

Here are some limitations and possibilities for transcendence:

-may not occur to everyone

-does not come at a specified period

-varies across all people

-may coincide with physical limitations of the body

-developing a positive outlook in life

-working towards reaching a goal

-learning from experience

POSSIBILITIES FOR TRANSCENDENCE

It is also important to know that transcendence may be applied to present worries by living in the present. This means that life is lived from moment to moment in a carefree and cheerful manner where concerns for stress are reserved for the future, and regrets or guilt feelings are kept in the past.

THE HUMAN BODY IN IMPOSING LIMITS AND POSSIBILITIES

From a biological and physical standpoint, it can be recognized that the human body, although it can perform many functions, also has limitations. Limits in the environment, demographics, and society may also hinder a person from reaching transcendence.

Here are some examples:

BODILY LIMITATIONS

mental and emotional disorders (e.g. anxiety, intellectual disability)

disabilities (e.g. amputated leg, deafness)

disease and illnesses (e.g. hypertension, cough)

failures and experiences (e.g. failing a subject)

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITATIONS

-socioeconomic status

-location of neighborhood (e.g. armed, disorganized, or violent neighborhood)

-abusive relationships (e.g. emotional abuse) negative influences (e.g. drug use)

OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS

Bodily limits can be tested by trying on new experiences and working on challenges with increasing levels of difficulty. The human body, if given enough exposure to any situation, can attain a goal with efficiency.

Social and environmental limitations are more difficult to overcome than bodily limitations because they involve the influence of other people and the external world. However, with a proper mindset, clearly defined goals, and motivation to rise above challenges, one may successfully overcome his or her limitations.

RECOGNIZE AND EVALUATE OWN LIMITATIONS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR TRANSCENDENCE

Even though you are still young, you are not prevented from further understanding yourself. Transcendence is even more possible when you begin to understand that you can go beyond your limitations if you set your mind on your goals.

SOME POINT TO REMEMBER WHEN GOING BEYOND YOUR LIMITS

-you are connected to the external or eternal world

-challenges are learning opportunities

-your goal is more important than your fears

-think outside the box

-recognize that everyone has fears

TIPS

The terms “transcendent” and transcendental” should not be used interchangeably.

According to Immanuel Kant, “transcendent” is a term used to refer to God, while “transcendental” refers to all other matter.

While transcendence may not occur for everyone, all people have the capacity to experience it regardless of any sociodemographic, biological, or personal factors.