Transpersonal Psychology may be called transpersonal psychologies. It is an umbrella term for many types of approaches to our ultimate essence. Historically, there are some recurrent themes and preferences for transpersonal psychologists in the 20th century. Like self actualization and shamanism. But the transpersonal sphere is now very rich in diversity.
For APA, Transpersonal Psychology is “an area of humanistic psychology that focuses on the exploration of the nature, varieties, causes, and effects of “higher” states of consciousness and transcendental experiences. Transpersonal refers to the concern with ends that transcend personal identity and individual, immediate desires” related to “peak experience in the humanistic psychology of Abraham Maslow, a moment of awe, ecstasy, or sudden insight into life as a powerful unity transcending space, time, and the self. Peak experience may at times occur for individuals in their pursuit of self-actualization“. For GoodTheraphy, “Transpersonal psychology enhances the study of mind-body relations, spirituality, consciousness, and human transformation. Experts disagree as to the specific model and margins of this form of therapy, however the three key areas that are considered through transpersonal psychotherapy are: Combined/holistic and natural psychology Transformative psychology Ego-transcended psychology“. For John Firman and Ann Gila, who in turn quote Roberto Assagioli “transpersonal psychosynthesis (or spiritual psychosynthesis) is aimed at integrating material from the superconscious. In Assagioli’s words: The specific therapeutic task…is that of ar- riving at a harmonious adjustment by means of the proper assimilation of the inflowing super- conscious energies and of their integration with the pre-existing aspects of the personality; that is, of accomplishing not only a personal but also a spiritual psychosynthesis. (Assagioli, 1965, p. 53)”.
What does Transpersonal Psychology mean to you?
