So What is Transpersonal Psychology? - By Request

My readers have asked for a definition of Transpersonal Psychology and its applications to therapy. So, without further ado, here is a brief definition with my opinions interspersed.

Transpersonal Psychology is considered a Spiritual Psychology. It can be defined as a blend of Humanistic (Rogerian), Existential, Jungian, and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. It goes beyond the Mind-Body connection and into Mind-Body-Spirit. It helps people who are in need of transcendance outside the bounds of formal religion. 

Transpersonal Psychology helps people who are in spiritual crisis, are near death (hospice, for example), and even those who are atheist but seeking something beyond the self. Transpersonal Psychologists seek to integrate all aspects of being into one - to maintain discussions of that which is unseen, and to help others find their Higher Selves.

Furthermore, Transpersonal Psychology seeks to explain that which is considered Paranormal. For example, if a family believes their house is haunted, they can seek counseling without fear that they will be invountarily committed for what some society considers "outlandish beliefs." In our office, they will be believed for the experience, and helped in a manner that will teach them to help themselves prove or disprove a haunting, so that they can get on with their lives.

Transpersonal Psychologists employ interventions that can help a client move through things on multi-levels. This is helpful for clients who have tried conventional counseling and still can't move on--as if they are stuck at an impasse. We use techniques such as the Gestalt "empty chair," Yoga, Aikido, Reiki, or whatever we are well-versed in so that the client can move forward with their particular issues.

John Davis, PhD, is an author who uses Transpersonal Psychology in his practice, and defines it as such: "The central concept in Transpersonal Psychology is self-transcendence, or a sense of self-identity which is deeper or higher, broader, and more unified with the whole. The root of the term, transpersonal or literally "beyond the mask," refers to this self-transcendence. While this self-transcendence recognizes a value to the personal, it also holds nonduality and the transpersonal as the more fundamental ground of being and consciousness."

This is one of the best definitions I have ever found because of its flexibility for the client. It allows any person, whatever they believe, to go beyond the self and become unified on all levels. It's what I hope to do for others, very soon.

For further reading, please visit his website here.

Namaste,

The Transpersonal Psychologist