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Part III    Humanistic/Existential Theories292
so-called peak experiences werefarmore common among self-actualizers thanamong 
non-self-actualizers. Later, however, Maslow (1971) stated that“most people, or
almost allpeople, havepeakexperiences, orecstasies” (p.175).
Notallpeakexperiences areofequal intensity; some areonlymildly sensed, 
others moderately felt,andsome arequite intensely experienced. Intheirmildform, 
these peakexperiences probably occur ineveryone, although theyareseldom noticed. 
Forexample, long-distance runners often report asortoftranscendence, alossof
self,orafeeling ofbeing separated from theirbody. Sometimes, during periods of
intense pleasure orsatisfaction, people willexperience mystical orpeakexperiences. 
Viewing asunset orsome other grandeur ofnature mayprecipitate apeakexperience, 
butthese experiences cannot bebrought onbyanactofthewill;often theyoccur at
unexpected, quite ordinary moments. 
What isitliketohaveapeakexperience? Maslow (1964) described several guide -
linesthatmayhelpanswer thisquestion. First, peakexperiences arequite natural andare
partofhuman makeup. Second, people having apeakexperience seethewhole universe 
asunified orallinonepiece, andtheyseeclearly theirplace inthatuniverse. Also, dur-
ingthismystical time, peakers feelbothmore humble andmore powerful atthesame 
time. They feelpassive, receptive, more desirous oflistening, andmore capable ofhear-
ing.Simultaneously, theyfeelmore responsible fortheiractivities andperceptions, more 
active, andmore self-determined. Peakers experience alossoffear,anxiety, andconflict 
andbecome more loving, accepting, andspontaneous. Although peakers often report 
suchemotions asawe,wonder, rapture, ecstasy, reverence, humility, andsurrender, they
arenotlikely towanttogetsomething practical fromtheexperience. They often experi -
enceadisorientation intimeandspace, alossofself-consciousness, anunselfish attitude, 
andanability totranscend everyday polarities. 
Thepeakexperience isunmotivated, nonstriving, andnonwishing, andduring 
suchanexperience, aperson experiences noneeds, wants, ordeficiencies. Inaddition, 
Maslow (1964) says,“The peakexperience isseenonlyasbeautiful, good, desirable, 
worthwhile, etc.,andisnever experienced asevilorundesirable” (p.63).Maslow also
believed thatthepeakexperience often hasalasting effect onaperson’s life.
Gemeinschaftsgefühl
Self-actualizing people possess Gemeinschaftsgefühl, Adler’s termforsocial interest, 
community feeling, orasense ofoneness withallhumanity. Maslow found thathis
self-actualizers hadakindofcaring attitude toward other people. Although theyoften 
feellikealiens inaforeign land, self-actualizers nevertheless identify withallother 
people andhaveagenuine interest inhelping others—strangers aswellasfriends.
Self-actualizers maybecome angry, impatient, ordisgusted withothers; butthey
retain afeeling ofaffection forhuman beings ingeneral. More specifically, Maslow 
(1970) stated thatself-actualizing people are“often saddened, exasperated, andeven
enraged bytheshortcomings oftheaverage person” (p.166), butnevertheless, they
continue tofeelabasic kinship withthatperson.
Profound Interpersonal Relations
Related toGemeinschaftsgefühl isaspecial quality ofinterpersonal relations that
involves deep andprofound feelings forindividuals. Self-actualizers haveanurturant Final PDF to printer