“Psychological or spiritual development always requires a greater capacity for anxiety and ambiguity.”

Source: Psychology and the Human Dilemma (1967), p. 50
Context: The overemphasis on the Baconian doctrine of knowledge as power, and the accompanying concern with gaining power over nature as well as over ourselves in the sense of treating ourself as objects to be manipulated rather than human beings whose aim is to expand in meaningful living, have resulted in the invalidation of the self. This tends to shrink the individual's consciousness, to block off his awareness, and thus play into … unconstructive anxiety … I propose that the aim of education is exactly the opposite, namely, the widening and deepening of consciousness. To the extent that education can help the student develop sensitivity, depth of perception, and above all the capacity to perceive significant forms in what he is studying, it will be developing at the same time the student's capacity to deal with anxiety constructively.

Oprah Magazine (2004)

The Drowned and the Saved (1986)

Source: Learning How to Learn: Psychology and Spirituality in the Sufi Way

Source: The Courage to Be (1952), p.57

Ein Volk, damit es sich geistig freier ausbilde, darf nicht mehr in der Sklaverei seiner körperlichen Bedürfnisse stehn, nicht mehr der Leibeigene des Leibes sein. Es muß ihm vor allem Zeit bleiben, auch geistig schaffen und geistig genießen zu können.
Movement of Production (1843), as translated in Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844 (1988), p. 29

Source: Another World Is Possible : Globalization and Anti-capitalism (2002), Chapter 7, Freedom Song, p. 231