Our Basic Human Needs — 7 Essentials to Keep in Mind
Why am I? — How? — And to what end? These are basic questions many people ask themselves at one time or another. Many ideas have been created, whole systems of life as we know it. In former times they were a basic description of the society.
If that’s not a question anymore, the next question often following it is this:
The Essentials in Human Life: What Are They?
№1: Avoid Pain
№2: Human Rights Declaration: Freedom and Responsibility
№3–7: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Especially during and after crises people may feel overwhelmed, disoriented and fundamentally shaken in their trust in all that seemed stable before.
In such times it is not uncommon to look around and ask for guidance, for ideas on what is really important.
Health for Mind and Body
To me what it boils down to is this: As humans we need certain conditions to render us healthy in mind and body. ‘Happiness’ is closely related to that. I prefer the term ‘serenity’.
Happiness? — Serenity
What Eastern systems of living and philosophy such as Buddhism have long since declared still holds true as a very essence:
№1: “Avoid Pain” — For All
The basic fundamental concept: It means to live in awareness of yourself — as well as others. Because we all live in a community, close-knit at times, such as family and friends or a religious community.
Or the community of a nation, a region, or a tribe around us.
Altogether, though, everything is connected. Good deeds as well as suffering find their way ‘around’, eventually. There is backfire in good — as well as bad. Good, which makes us feel comfortable, relaxed and confident, humorous perhaps, ready to laugh — and bad which makes us feel small, insignificant and sad or angry. Inflicting such bad emotions on someone else is part of perpetuating sadness and suffering.
So, there’s the avoid pain concept: Fundamentally true, without any ideology attached.
№2: The Human Rights Declaration — Freedom and Responsibility
The human rights declaration is a fine system of fundamental rights as orientation and measurement or yardstick: What rights do we all have — and what cannot be denied us? Anywhere? Anytime?
Rights are important — so is responsibility. Because, if we forget that we live together with others, we omit to look out for them.
Basically, the Kantian morale, the categorical imperative (my translation):
“Always act in a manner so the principle of your actions could be transformed into a universal law, any time.”
Or, a little more simply put:
Do unto others as you would others have do unto you.
Therefore, the human rights as a freedom ‘of’ life for all — with the reminder that we are responsible for treating others as we would want to be treated.
Better still, be aware that others may have different needs at a given time — and those count too.
№3–7: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs — Health in Mind and Body
The pyramid shown above as the representation of Maslow’s concept makes it very clear. The order from bottom to top showing the most basic and important needs at the base:
- At the bottom is the fulfilment of all physical needs, such as shelter (rest), food, warmth, water.
- The next step is the fulfilment of the need for security and safety. Not the safety of millions worth of money — but safety from attacks and threats.
- The third step is the fulfilment of close relationships, such as family and friends.
- The fourth step is the fulfilment of the need for prestige and / or acknowledgement/feeling of accomplishment.
- The fifth and highest step describes the achievement of fulfilling one’s personal potential, including creativity.
Again, as a summary, the basics that can provide guidance in hard times, are these 7 steps or concepts:
Avoid pain, look out for others as well as yourself. Find ways to fulfill the basic needs — for yourself and others. Remember not only rights — but responsibility too.
Happiness or serenity is in that, because just as love, happiness is ‘contagious’.
