Self-actualization, Embodiment of Being
“Actualization” in the context of the Diamond Approach refers to the process where one’s inner realization and development become expressed in life, becoming the source and substance of one’s life. It is the fusion of Being (one’s true self or essence) and living (one’s day-to-day existence). This means that everything in one’s life becomes a reflection of this realization, an expression, and an intimate extension of it. It is not only an inner experience, but an actualized life. Life becomes a continuity of Being, instead of a string of events.
Actualization involves the development and actualization of a state, which is needed to go beyond it. For instance, you cannot go beyond self until you actualize self. When you finally know your true self, you are it, and you realize in the same instant that you’ve gone beyond it. You do not need it anymore because you’ve got it. This is the hierarchy of needs – when you do not have it, you need it. You must look for it, but the moment you get it, get it completely, you do not need it any longer; you realize that it is not important. You realize that it is an idea in your mind anyway.
In practical terms, actualization involves examining the extent to which our lives reflect the truth we know. It involves managing our schedules, finding out what we enjoy doing, and then setting about doing it and creating an environment that supports the actualization of the truth. It’s about applying what we know and what we learn, making the effort, and expending the energy to live with sincerity.
In essence, actualization in the Diamond Approach is about being your true self in the world, living a life that is a reflection of your inner realization and development, and creating a life that supports the expression of this truth. It’s about being oneself in the world, living one’s life, doing one’s job, and relating to others as expressions of one’s true self. It’s about the fusion of Being and living, where one’s Being and one’s life become one thing, inseparable and unified.
Often, if we experience deep realizations without working to actualize them in our life, without trying to live according to them, we will create a profound split inside ourselves. We’ll drive ourselves crazier. If our life doesn’t embody our experience, doesn’t reflect our sessions, our work in the group, our personal inquiry, then we’re being psychotic. We will experience a profound schism between the wonderful things we know and the neurotic way we live our lives. This gulf between what we know and how we live will make us miserable. – Diamond Heart Book Five: Inexhaustible Mystery, ch. 8
It’s possible to examine the extent to which our lives reflect the truth we know. What kinds of foods do we eat? Do we exercise? How do we manage our schedules? Do we find out what we enjoy doing and then set about doing it? Do we allow ourselves the rest and the aloneness that we need in order to experience the preciousness of reality? Or do we spend day after day being lazy, procrastinating, living routines that make us miserable? What do we do in terms of our relationships? Do we try to live those relationships according to the truth that we know? Do we apply the experiences we’ve had of ourselves and others and the world, or do we reserve our insights for special occasions? Do we create the kind of environment that supports the actualization of the truth? Or do we believe that it’s sufficient to experience ourselves as precious, and then expect the angels to come and clean our room every day? We’re talking about very practical matters here. We’re talking about applying what we know and what we learn, making the effort, expending the energy to live with sincerity. We do the work, and we practice the teaching, every minute of our lives, not only when we meditate or go to a session or a meeting. For example, if we know that we are more in touch with ourselves when we are relaxed, do we try to pay attention so that we’re as relaxed as possible all the time? Do we organize our time and our life so that we minimize confusion and unnecessary activity? So we see that there are practical sides to loving the truth for its own sake. – A. H. Almaas, Diamond Heart Book Five: Inexhaustible Mystery, pg. 242