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 psyche, personal development, health and illness. 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 only to habitual observable behaviors.

transpersonal psychology addresses the psyche as an experience that includes states of consciousness superiors. That is why it encompasses, in addition to practical conduct, mystical, metaphysical, expansion 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, Abraham Maslow’s humanistic psychology picked up interest in transcendental experiences. Some psychologists from this perspective followed this decline, giving rise to transpersonal psychology itself in the 1960s.

This approach took up the ideas of psychiatrist Maurice Bucke.. Likewise, Carl Jung and Roberto Assagioli contributed valuable approaches to what later became transpersonal psychology.

Areas covered by this approach

Transpersonal psychology focuses on so-called “peak experiences”: transcendental experiences in which a state of “spiritual interconnection and integration” occurs in the words of Maslow.

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 do not yet have consciousness. 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 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 from a transpersonal psychology therapy is for people to discover the core of their essential being. Virtues are built and expanded, while spirituality and self-development are promoted. The way to achieve 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 work areas:

Transcended ego. Transforming forces. Integrating forces.

A series of techniques are used for therapeutic work. that apply both in consultation and outside of it. These promote intuitive knowledge that leads to psychological and spiritual well-being.

Some of the techniques used are inner child healing, body awareness and movement, breath work, journal writing, meditation, yoga, guided visualization, assertive training, regression, symbolic artwork, etc.

Contributions and questions

Transpersonal psychology is applied 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 make our emotional balance more solid 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 called into question.. Likewise, from Buddhism it is argued that this school takes concepts from Zen, but decontextualizes them and develops them in an inadequate way.

Neverthelesstranspersonal psychology has earned a place of its own and is currently 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.

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