This year has been quite a rough one and I am still working on transitioning to a more positive state of mind as I commit to daily changes for a better reality. My bonus dad encouraged me by letting me know everyone goes through a rough patch, and it’s my turn to go through mine and learn from it as best I can. I’m not used to dealing with such havoc and chaos all at once but I do have things I remain grateful for. That helps me keep on keeping on. My bonus dad reminds me that I still have a safe place to reside and acquire my basic needs. He suggested I take a look at Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs and see what I can take from that.
A psychologist named Abraham Maslow in 1943 was searching for the meaning of life. He wrote a paper and composed a pyramid to go along with the concept he named Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The concept is pretty simple; start with the base of the pyramid and work your way up(opposite the Egyptians). They can also be split into physical and spiritual needs, which of course we can use crystals to help guide us through the hierarchy. This reminds us to not place too much energy on either the physical or spiritual needs. A healthy reminder to find a balance of maintaining both to navigate this realm.
One layer does not need to be fully complete to reach the next layer, but I personally think at least some of the previous layers need to be done to advance to the next. There are many things you can do to help guide you along this journey and open related chakras but this week we are working on affirmations. We’ll list the chakra, crystals, and a few affirmations to go along with each level of Maslow’s Pyramid.
The bottom two levels, Physiological and Safety, are the physical needs and the top three levels, Love, Esteem, and Self-Actualization, go into our spiritual needs. Notice how they also follow a similar color pattern and meaning with the seven basic chakras.
Physiological Needs – Root Chakra
This first level of Maslows Pyramid is relative to the manifestation we do with the root chakra energy. It’s energy harmonizes with our financial needs, to get our food, water, and a decent place for warmth and rest. A good way to get some rest would be to get message, which is a root chakra opening activity.
The root chakra also relates to a few other levels of the pyramid. For instance, the second level “Safety Needs” and the third level of “Love Needs.” The root chakra also governs our relationships with close ones, especially those considered family. This chakra talks about the knowing that our needs are met. The root chakra is also the first of the basic seven chakras and it is also vital to have this chakra opened and balanced before successful advancement to the chakras about it.
If you are having a difficult time on passing this level it may be blocked with feelings of fear, guilt, or disorganization. Try meditation on the root(pun intended) of any of these feelings so you may release that energy and move on. Otherwise read and say aloud a few affirmations below with your favorite red or black crystal. Feel free to of course make up a few affirmations of your own related to this level! The more specific they are to your path, the better. Write any ones you think of down for future use.
Open your root chakra with a few affirmations. Hold your black, red, or any color crystal in your left hand, or place it at the base of your navel and repeat.
“I have everything I need.”
“I am grateful for my home.”
“I am grateful for my income.”
“I am grateful for a warm place to rest.”
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to achieve my goals.”
“I am grateful for all of my resources.”
Suggested crystals to use: Black Tourmaline, Smoky Quartz, Red Jasper
Safety Needs – Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras
This second level of Maslows Pyramid is relative to the security and safety we find in the sacral and solar plexus chakras. It also touches back on the root chakra, regarding our physical security and safety. We’ll with the sacral chakra, which deals with vulnerability and self-worth. You need these things to feel secure. With the right balance of vulnerability you will be able to feel secure in expressing your feeling and reaching your creative potential. Knowing the value of your self-worth should also help you think positively in regards to being safe.
The solar plexus chakra is big on following and trusting your gut instinct, which many times can keep you safe of danger. Without hesitating on your next move when every second counts, it is good to be able to rely and trust that what you know to do for yourself is the best way to maintain your safety. It may not always be about physically defending yourself but agreeing you are in the right place at the right time and only accepting that which serves you.
If you are having a difficult time on passing this level it may be blocked with feelings of shame, sexual trauma, lack of self-discipline, or caring too much about what others think of you. Read and say aloud a few affirmations below with your favorite orange or yellow crystal. Feel free to of course make up a few affirmations of your own related to this level! The more specific they are to your path, the better. Write any ones you think of down for future use.
Open your sacral chakra and solar plexus with a few affirmations. Hold your orange, yellow, or any color crystal in your left hand, or place it at above or below your navel and repeat:
“I can accomplish my goals.”
“I feel safe and secure anywhere I go.”
“I feel secure with who I am.”
“I can freely express myself.”
Suggested crystals to use: Carnelian, Pyrite, Tiger’s Eye
Belongingness and Love Needs – Heart Chakra
This third level of Maslows Pyramid is relative to love, which flows through the heart chakra energy. This has to do with both loving ourselves, first, and loving others. Take some time to reflect on what you do for others that show you love them. Then take some time to articulate or write down things you have committed to that show you love yourself.
If you are having a difficult time on passing this level it may be blocked with feelings of heartache, grief, or fear of intimacy. Try meditation on the reason for any of these feelings so you may release that energy and move on. Otherwise read and say aloud a few affirmations below with your favorite pink or green crystal. Feel free to of course make up a few affirmations of your own related to this level! The more specific they are to your path, the better. Write any ones you think of down for future use.
Open your heart chakra with a few affirmations. Hold your green, pink, or any color crystal in your left hand, or place it at the center of your chest and repeat.
“I love my life.”
“I love the people around me.”
“I love myself unconditionally.”
“I commit to healthy boundaries.”
“I love succeeding.”
Suggested crystals to use: Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine, Strawberry Quartz
Esteem Needs – Throat Chakra
This fourth level of Maslows Pyramid is relative to the faith and understanding of who we are, and our reality, which we can link to the throat chakra energy. It’s energy harmonizes with our financial needs, to get our food, water, and a decent place for warmth and rest. A fun activity to open this chakra and advance through this level would be to write a Hip-Hop rap about yourself. Rap tends to brag about the good things you have done and can do. Then either perform that rap for someone or go ahead in the bathroom and say it in the mirror while you’re at your pretend concert. You can also reflect on what you have achieved so far in life, no matter how long ago it was take some time to acknowledge how far you have come and show appreciation to yourself for making it here today.
The throat chakra also has to do with expansion and growth. Be open to new opportunities; remember to righteously reflect and practice healthy communication both with yourself(internal dialogue) and others you interact with.
If you are having a difficult time on passing this level it may be blocked with feelings of anger, rage, or self-denial. Not expressing how you feel could also lead to staying on this level for longer than necessary. Try meditation on the of any of these feelings so you may release that energy and move on. Otherwise read and say aloud a few affirmations below with your favorite blue crystal. Feel free to of course make up a few affirmations of your own related to this level! The more specific they are to your path, the better. Write any ones you think of down for future use.
Open your throat chakra with a few affirmations. Hold your blue, or any color crystal in your left hand, or place it at the base of your throat and repeat.
“I speak to express my truth.”
“I speak to express how I think and feel.”
“I speak to express my faith and beliefs.”
“I have faith in my path.”
“I understand my journey.”
“I allow myself to grow and expand.”
Suggested crystals to use: Lapis Lazuli, Blue Kyanite, Sapphire
Self-actualisation (Fifth/Last Level)- Sacral Chakra(Purple/White)
This fifth and final level of Maslows Pyramid is relative to the insight and high self we can access with the third eye chakra and crown. Third Eye chakra is about be able to access and trust our intuition. Following through with how we feel on the inside and doing what we think is personally best for us even when an immediate reason isn’t shown. It also relates to the previously mentioned balance between our energy in the physical and spiritual worlds.
The crown chakra is related to your awareness and inspiration. It’s about moving in your divine right and reaching a level of consciousness to know you are walking down the right path. The crown chakra is the seventh or final chakra of the basic seven.
If you are having a difficult time on passing this level it may be blocked with feelings of attachments, lack of direction in life or lack of spiritual aspects. Try meditation on the root(pun intended) of any of these feelings so you may release that energy and move on. Otherwise read and say aloud a few affirmations below with your favorite indigo, white or purple crystal. Feel free to of course make up a few affirmations of your own related to this level! The more specific they are to your path, the better. Write any ones you think of down for future use.
Open your third eye and crown chakra with a few affirmations. Hold your indigo, white, purple, or any color crystal in your left hand, or place it at your forehead(slightly above the eyebrows) or on top of your head and repeat.
“I know I make wise decisions.”
“I see my potential everyday.”
“I am insightful.”
“I reflect the divine.”
“I act on my intuition.”
“I obey my inner voice.”
Suggested crystals to use: Amethyst, Clear Quartz, Mystic Merlinite(Indigo Gabbro), Rainbow Fluorite
Wrapping Up
After reading this or even just glancing at the pyramid itself, reflect on where you are on this list and how you can continue to keep yourself satisfied as you advance onward in life. Of course it needn’t be followed to a T but it may help as you develop your plans for taking control of your future.
Critiques of Maslow’s Hierarchy
To apply this personally I would say I need to start with loving myself. As a single adult without kids or attachments I am left to be my only inspiration most days. It’s not to say I cannot let family and closed ones inspire me but because they do not directly depend on me for any of their needs, I have to at least do it for myself. Sometimes I feel I would be more inspired to have someone else to do it for or with, which is just a way to express my love for that someone.
As i thought about this in a deep meditation i thought wait…so how is that loving myself? This thought went on to also so I would not date because I would not want to date someone in such a position as I am. I would want them to have their life a bit more together, which I would say is conditional love. We strive to love unconditionally. So then I said well to love myself unconditionally would be to always put myself in healthy or better positions, that allow me to grow. Therefore, unless that person is bringing something I highly value into the relationship it is okay to maintain the standard for myself and learn to love myself enough to better my life.
Saying this to say I would want to put a form of self love, or even confidence at the lowest level. You need to love and care for yourself enough with a positive state of mind to get started on the journey to achieve your full potential or even be genuinely creative. It isn’t to say you cannot do these things but the degree of performance will surely be enhanced the more that you love yourself.
Questions for Maslow
At this point in time I have not looked or read much about Maslow’s personal life. One source did mention his family was orthodox but Maslow was not as dedicated to as them. I would ask if Maslow was in any way spiritual or if he was familiar with and based this hierarchy on or relative to the chakras. I would also ask how the colors of each layer was chosen, and what led him to want to make the shape a pyramid?
