I recently stumbled across a wonderful article by Brian H. Ge and Fan Yang from the University of Chicago titled, ‘Transcending the self to transcend suffering.’

This perspective paper explores the role of self-transcendence in helping individuals endure suffering. It posits that self-transcendence, which involves looking beyond the self and adopting a larger perspective that includes concern for others and the world, can aid in the endurance of suffering at multiple psychological levels.

Firstly, on the affective level, self-transcendent experiences such as awe, flow, and compassion can supersede and reduce the salience of negative emotions arising from suffering. These experiences create a positive affective state that lessens the weight of negative emotions.

Secondly, on the cognitive level, self-transcendent thinking provides a larger frame of reference that helps individuals contextualize their suffering and make meaning from it. This broader perspective enables individuals to reconcile their suffering with their existing meaning systems, reducing the cognitive challenges posed by suffering.

Lastly, on the motivational level, self-transcendence counters hedonically-oriented motivations that can lead to negative coping strategies in response to suffering. It motivates individuals to fulfill their need for self-transcendence, which can lead to a more purposeful and goal-oriented approach to suffering.

These three mechanisms of self-transcendence may also promote prosocial behaviours and strengthen social support networks, further aiding in the endurance of suffering. Overall, this theoretical framework provides insights into how self-transcendence can help people endure and transcend suffering, improving their overall well-being.

Reference:

Ge BH and Yang F (2023) Transcending the self to transcend suffering. Front. Psychol. 14:1113965. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1113965