Needs Model

[Occipitalred]

Hello, Sometimes, I enjoy to make models to simplify or model aspects of life. Maslow's hierarchy of needs really resonated with me (not the hierarchy but the categories). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: maslow-5.jpg I used it as a tool to interpret my dreams and quickly realized my dreams were manifesting my lack of multiple needs. For example, the theme of many dreams was that I was trespassing; I did not belong. I always had to run away: I was not safe. There it goes again. My dream is manifesting my famished need for security. The next step was to ask myself if these things were really lacking or just perceptually lacking. Sincerely, I asked myself if in any way, I belong to some groups. The answer was yes. Same went for if I had some safety/security/stability. So I made the genuine affirmation that I had these needs in part satisfied mantras that helped me heal. This was the first step. The second step was to combine these mantras with action. For example, I took steps to improve my social life as well as taking risks to stand up for myself. This strengthened and opened my heart in ways unimaginable to my prior wounded self and the content of my dreams adapted to my maturing psychology. Revisiting dreams, I also like to visualize myself applying these techniques. Because of how helpful I found Maslow's hierarchy of needs, I always came back to it, but my curiosity wanted more. So I found the Human Givens Theory. Human Givens: human givens.jpg The need for status struck me as a need I starved for since for ever. So I really liked this theory. Plus, the need for belonging was divided into three. But even so, it seemed to lack more needs. And it was just a list. I like connections and boxes and categories. So, I made my own model to organize it all in a way that was fun and satisfying for me: My own 5 Pointed Star Theory of Needs: Star.png I linked the needs to their elements Fire: control, will, desire, power... Water: Relationship, emotions... Earth: Stability, physical... Air: ideas, planning, play... Aether: Space, time, emptiness, transcendence... But then, status seemed to not fit anywhere there. Instead it seemed reliant on both control/power and relationship/belonging. In fact, I believe my own hunger for status is what led me to split myself off into two, the "real" ideal perfect me which lived inside of my fantasies and the "fake" physical me other people saw which I resented. Separating my identity from my physical and social self as an immature method to protect my hurt need for status is most likely what impeded my ability to feel I belonged anywhere. So, I linked all the needs together to create my own model...

[Occipitalred]

fire.jpg air.jpg earth.jpg air2.jpg aether.jpg So there it is. I wanted to share it with the Dreamviews community and see if it resonates with anyone. I'd like it to be criticized so it can be improved upon. I didn't include any definitions, though they can be found on the wikipedia page for Maslow's hierarchy of needs and for Human Givens. I think the words are important and have power; they can be efficient mantras. So I welcome those who want to argue semantics. And finally, I would like to hear anyone who has dreams that manifest wounded or satisfied needs. I apologize if my model is needlessly convoluted; I just enjoy that. If you prefer, you can use the two established models or your own to discuss needs and dreams.

[dolphin]

I like this model! I think it would be more convenient if the entire model fit on 1 image rather than 5. I think you could do this if the model was a pentagram rather than a star.

[Occipitalred]

You are very right, Dolphin! I guess trying to learn the Qabalah has affected me a bit Here's the revised Pentagram of needs: pentagram.jpg Now, I feel I might as well clarify the terms (source: mostly copy-pasted from Wikipedia or Google definitions): Fire needs: Control: A sense of autonomy and control over what happens around and to us. Freedom and achievement: A sense of our power to act, speak, and think as we want without hindrance or restraint and the sense that success is possible. Status: A sense of status - being accepted, valued, and respected in the various social groups we belong to. Competence and knowledge: A sense of our own competence, knowledge and skills. Meaning and purpose: Being stretched, aiming for meaningful goals, having a sense of a higher calling or serving others creates meaning and purpose. Earth needs: Security and physical needs: A sense of safety and security; safe territory; an environment in which people can live without experiencing excessive fear so that they can develop healthily. Having what is needed for physical Freedom and achievement: A sense of our power to act, speak, and think as we want without hindrance or restraint and the sense that success is possible. Belonging and sex: Interaction with a larger group of people and a sense of being part of the group, service toward others (healing, nurturing, providing) and sex. Aesthetic: Interaction with sensual and conceptual beauty, balance, form, etc... Peace: freedom from outer and inner disturbance; quiet and tranquility. Water needs: Attention: Receiving attention from others, but also giving it; a form of essential nutrition that fuels the development of each individual, family and culture. Status: A sense of status - being accepted, valued, and respected in the various social groups we belong to. Belonging and sex: Interaction with a larger group of people and a sense of being part of the group, service toward others (healing, nurturing, providing) and sex. Friendship: Emotional connection to other people - friendship, fun. Intimacy: Emotional connection to other people - Intimacy, love. Air needs: Novelty: Exploration and discovery; interaction with what is new, original, or unusual. Competence and knowledge: A sense of our own competence, knowledge and skills. Aesthetic: Interaction with sensual and conceptual beauty, balance, form, etc... Friendship: Emotional connection to other people - friendship, fun. Wisdom: The sense of having experience, understanding and good judgement. Aether needs: Privacy: Time and space enough to reflect on and consolidate our experiences. Meaning and purpose: Being stretched, aiming for meaningful goals, having a sense of a higher calling or serving others creates meaning and purpose. Peace: freedom from outer and inner disturbance; quiet and tranquility. Intimacy: Emotional connection to other people - Intimacy, love. Wisdom: The sense of having experience, understanding and good judgement.