What Is Transpersonal Psychology?
Transpersonal psychology is an approach born at the beginning of the 20th century in which the concept of “spirituality” is integrated to understand the processes of psychism, personal development, health and disease. In this way, he fuses psychological principles with spiritual practices.
The word “transpersonal” means ‘through’ or ‘beyond’ the personal. That “beyond” in the framework of transpersonal psychology refers to the spiritual. That is, to the transcendent experiences of the self and not just to the habitual observable behaviors.
Transpersonal psychology approaches the psyche as an experience that includes higher states of consciousness. That is why it encompasses, in addition to practical conduct, mystical, metaphysical, expansionary experiences, deep inner knowledge, and amplified states of universal love and brotherhood.
The origin of transpersonal psychology
Transpersonal psychology begins with the lessons that William James taught at the University of Edinburgh, between 1901 and 1902. This psychologist was the first to address religious experiences as part of psychological study. He was also the first to use the term “transpersonal.”
Later, the humanistic psychology of Abraham Maslow picked up an interest in transcendental experiences. Some psychologists of the slope followed this decline, giving rise to transpersonal psychology proper in the 1960s.
This approach took up the ideas of the psychiatrist Maurice Bucke. Likewise, Carl Jung and Roberto Assagioli contributed valuable insights into what later became transpersonal psychology.
Areas covered by this approach
Transpersonal psychology focuses on the so-called “peak experiences” : transcendental experiences in which a state of “spiritual interconnection and integration” occurs in Maslow’s words.
The central objective of this approach is to ensure that people find a transcendent meaning for their actions and their lives. Likewise, that they manage to identify with a higher consciousness. From this current, three levels are recognized in the development of this type of consciousness:
- Prepersonal level. It corresponds to the stage in which human beings have no consciousness yet. For example, babies, those with cognitive disabilities, etc.
- Personal level. It appears with self-awareness, that is, when a person realizes that he is someone different from others and unique.
- Transpersonal level. It corresponds to the transcendent consciousness, in which there is spiritual development and the level of body and mind has been surpassed as the basis of everything.
How does transpersonal psychology work?
What is sought in a transpersonal psychology therapy is for people to discover the core of their essential being. Virtues are built and expanded, while promoting spirituality and self-development. The way to do this is the exercise of free will and the implementation of internal resources to balance and harmonize life.
In this context, there are three essential areas of work:
- Ego transcended.
- Transformative forces.
- Integrating forces.
For therapeutic work, a series of techniques are used that are applied both in consultation and outside of it. These promote intuitive knowing that leads to psychological and spiritual well-being.
Some of the techniques used are inner child healing, body movement awareness, breath work, journal writing, meditation, yoga, guided imagery, assertive training, regression, symbolic artwork, etc.
Contributions and questions
Transpersonal psychology applies in particular to cases of anxiety, depression, phobias, and addictions. In general, it is beneficial for people who seek to recognize and appreciate their real value and who, at the same time, have difficulties in these areas, which translate into a state of discomfort or unhappiness.
The techniques used in this framework strengthen our emotional balance and help us maintain a more open and compassionate position with others. They also increase self-confidence and promote a more positive outlook on life.
Naturally, this approach has also received criticism. In particular, its lack of scientific rigor and its poor conceptual development are questioned. Likewise, from Buddhism it is argued that this school takes concepts from Zen, but decontextualizes them and develops them in an inappropriate way.
Despite everything , transpersonal psychology has earned a place of its own and is now applied throughout the world. Although it does not satisfy, in the strict sense, academicism and scientism, the truth is that it has been used by many people to alleviate their suffering.
