Chasing Plateaus, not Peaks
Finding Bliss and the Everyday
A few days back, as I walked through a local park, I experienced euphoric sensations that could only stem from a deep appreciation of my circumstances. Nothing unique happened to me that day—no new writing gigs, no winning lottery ticket. Nada. Zilch. I simply had a wave of gratefulness encapsulate my body. Maybe somebody slipped something into my water bottle when I wasn’t looking?
I spent a couple of hours walking around a large park with eucalypts looming over a rivers’ edge. It wasn’t even a pretty day—it was dark, gloomy, and as if there were a perpetual fog hanging overhead. Yet, the weather, park, and scarcity of anything living around me gave me a feeling of reverence for life.
Later, as I reflected upon my state, I found an explanation by none other than the famous psychologist Abraham Maslow. A plateau experience, from my understanding, is a cultivatable state where individuals are mindful, aware, appreciative, and have no longings, anxieties, or direct desires. A plateau experience does not allow for mind-wandering or rumination—only presence.
Although I have not spent much time digging into the concept, I believe the state Maslow referred to is simply one in which the subject is in a state of serenity and bliss. Like the plateau experience, there is a peak experience that Maslow has encountered and described as well. The peak experience is a complete transcendental-like state where one is fully focused on one thing—the individual experiences awe, wonder, and ultimate freedom. Peak experiences occur as a direct result of an external event.
Contrary to the peak experience, individuals can encounter plateau experiences throughout their daily lives with proper attention. Plateau experiences happen from voluntary action.
We Should All Look to Plateau’s Rather Thank Peaks
Maslow had coined the term peak experience to describe a euphoric state that is rare, exciting, moving, and mystical. However, as these experiences are rare, and not something to wish for, we should not focus on them. Instead, we should attempt to create plateau experiences.
One should never look at life as mundane—rather, we should seek out the beauty in everyday life. Tasks must be taken head on, with full attention and concentration. Unfortunately, Maslow did not get to dive deep enough into these plateau experiences to give us his insight. So now, it is up to each individual to determine what a plateau experience is.
Walk confidently, with lightness, humility, and reverence for all that surrounds you.
Go through life with a mind frame of acceptance, understanding, and peace. Approaching daily tasks with a focused mind—one that is not grasping—leads to a state of peace. There is no desire, no longing for something you do not have, and no fear of the unknown.
That is the ultimate form of living. Throughout each day, modern society throws so much on our plates. We stress and worry about what may or may not happen. We let our minds wander to unreasonable desires, which leads to further suffering and disappointment.
Without cultivating the correct mental environment—a place of contentment, focus, and awareness— nobody can expect happiness to come their way.
