Eupsychia
Abraham Maslow’s concept of Eupsychia—literally, “the good soul” or more broadly, “the good society”—is a foundational pillar in the theoretical architecture of the Lightning Path. Conceived as both a psychological and sociological vision, Eupsychia represents a society organized to fully satisfy human needs, enable collective healing, and encourage actuation of full human potential.
Maslow understood that the realization of human potential could only occur in supportive, truth-oriented, and nurturing environments. In this sense, Eupsychia provides the theoretical grounding for the LP’s long-term aim of articulating and manifesting a Harmonic Social Order. It offers a scientifically grounded, psychologically mature alternative to the violent and pathological systems of the past.
This reading list gathers essential works—by Maslow and others—that highlight the importance of this concept, contribute to the Eupsychian project, and illuminate the path forward. Students and practitioners are encouraged to treat these materials as one possible entry point into the serious work of envisioning, designing, and building a better world, a Harmonic Social Order or Eupsychia.
Abraham Maslow Bibliography
A comprehensive list of all published works of Maslow. Note the scope of his work near the end, publishing on humanistic biology, humanistic education, etc. Read.
Maslow, A. H. (1968). Eupsychia: The good society. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 1(2), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/002216786100100202
This article offers Maslow’s clearest articulation of Eupsychia: a society built to enable rather than inhibit human development. Drawing on his work with self-actualizing individuals, Maslow imagines a community that satisfies all levels of human need and fosters psychological and spiritual growth. It is one of the key theoretical documents in the construction of a Harmonic Social Order. Read.
Maslow, A. H. (1961). Health as transcendence of environment. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 1(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/002216786100100102
In this seminal paper, Maslow challenges prevailing models of mental health that equate wellness with conformity or passive adaptation to society. Instead, he argues for a definition of health based on internal authenticity and transcendence—where the self governs its own values independent of societal pressures. This anticipates his later Eupsychian ideals by centering self-actualization and autonomy as key indicators of psychological health. Read..
Maslow, A. H. (1967, September). The farther reaches of human nature. Lecture presented at the First Unitarian Church, San Francisco, under the auspices of the Esalen Institute.
This lecture is one of Maslow’s first public declarations of what would become the “Fourth Force” in psychology—Transpersonal Psychology. Here, Maslow expands on the limitations of behaviorism and psychoanalysis and introduces his concept of “instinctoid” higher needs. He also foreshadows his later turn toward mystical and peak experiences as legitimate domains of scientific inquiry. Read.
Maslow, A. H. 1967. “A Theory of Metamotivation: The Biological Rooting of the Value-Life.” Journal of Humanistic Psychology 7: 93–127. https://doi.org/10.1177/002216786700700201.
According to Maslow, this paper “is really the end of the program that I set out for myself-secretly-about 25 Or so years ago when I changed every- thing I was doing and devoted myself grandiosely to a Psychology for the Peace Table.” (Maslow quoted in Sutich, 1969).
This paper formalizes Maslow’s theory of “metamotivation”—the motivational structure beyond basic and psychological needs, driving self-actualizers toward truth, beauty, unity, and justice. This deepens the foundation for Eupsychia as a society that allows for the full flowering of such high-level motivations. Read.
Sutich, A. J. (1976). The emergence of the transpersonal orientation: A personal account. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 8(1), 5–15.
Written shortly before his death, Sutich reflects on the formation of Transpersonal Psychology, the Fourth Force that grew out of Maslow’s later work. This piece documents the collaborative dialogues, ideological expansions, and key philosophical tensions that shaped the new field, as well as Sutich’s and Maslow’s shared concern for integrating mysticism and spirituality into psychological science. Read.
Elkins, D. N. (2009). Why Humanistic Psychology Lost Its Power and Influence in American Psychology: Implications for Advancing Humanistic Psychologyh. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 49(1), 267-291. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167808323005
This article documents the “murder” of Humanistic Psychology during the 1980s. The reason, Humanistic Psychology was pointing research and understanding in progressive a progressive, healing, emancipatory, and spiritual direction, something the Accumulating Class found threatening. This murder marginalized and effectively halted the understanding, development, research, and practice of Eupsychian Theory Read.
References
Sutich, A. J. 1976. “The Emergence of the Transpersonal Orientation: A Personal Account.” Journal of Transpersonal Psychology 8 (1): 5–19.