The Integrated Life

Each person has basic personal needs that are beyond those for food and shelter; and even beyond the emotional needs for acceptance, security, affection, attention, encouragement, respect, etc.  In our culture these needs are even more pronounced today than in past decades.  Much research has been done on each of these needs/dimensions of life, and it is clear that these are high needs for people in our culture.

These 4 needs are viewed as dimensions of life that must be integrated in order to have a "whole" and satisfied life.  These dimensions or needs are:

Ø     Self-Worth or Value  -                   The Valued Life

Ø     Meaning or Purpose  -                  The Meaningful Life

Ø     Being Connected  -                       The Engaged Life

Ø     Experiencing Happiness  -           The Pleasureful Life

It is only as these 4 dimensions of life are integrated that a person feels a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.  "Integrated" means "to combine and complete to produce a whole".  In "completing" the dimension, the human need is met.  In "combining" the dimensions, a sense of wholeness is obtained.

The Integrated Life

The Valued Life

Ø    Self:  Spiritual, Psychological, Cognitive, Physical, Emotional, Moral.

Ø    Knowing Self Deeply & Valuing Self Generously

Ø    Realm of Personal Experience

The Meaningful Life

Ø    A Meaning & Purpose in Life much larger than Self.

Ø    A Dream that Motivates & Energizes Life.

Ø    Meaning Develops as these 4 areas of life Grow & Integrate.

The Engaged Life

Ø    Movement from "I" to "We / Us"

Ø    Connecting in Deep, Intimate Emotional Relationships.

Ø    Knowing Self so that I can truly Know & Engage Others.

The Pleasureful Life

Ø    A Life without Personally Confining Boxes - Freedom to Be Self.

Ø    Life is about More than Work & Ritual.

Ø    Find Pleasure in the Daily Experiences of Life as Self & with Others.