We keep mistaking visibility for depth

Abraham Maslow showed the difference 60 years ago. We didn't listen to him.

“Night Flowers,” by Paul Klee. I chose Klee’s work for today’s essay because - though I know absolutely nothing of his life story - he was so clearly an “actualized” person whose art is suffused by his own, particular sensibility.

Have you had the feeling I do, that the deepest life, the most authentic life, occurs far away from the spotlight — and that the constant bidding for you to become more visible is actually leading you AWAY from such a life? (I realize, as I write this, that I am officially a public/online person, but, you know, not really. Or at least, not completely.)

If this resonates with you, you’re going to love this essential new essay by the great psychologist (and friend of The Quiet Life), Scott Barry Kaufman. The essay discusses Abraham Maslow’s essential research on the elements of an “actualized life” - and how Maslow’s findings directly contradict everything you’re told today about the importance of connectivity and visibility.

SBK shows us why today’s sages are ignoring Maslow’s findings - and how to resist them.

I urge you not to miss this one! And, to follow SBK’s “Beautiful Minds” newsletter.

Here’s SBK:

“In Chasing Productivity, We Lost the Inner Life