Transpersonal

Transpersonal psychology is a sub-field or "school" of psychology that integrates the spiritual and transcendent aspects of the human experience with the framework of modern psychology. It is also possible to define it as a "spiritual psychology". The transpersonal is defined as "experiences in which the sense of identity or self extends beyond (trans) the individual or personal to encompass wider aspects of humankind, life, psyche or cosmos". It has also been defined as "development beyond conventional, personal or individual levels".

History

The term was first coined by psychologists such as Stanislav Grof, Abraham Maslow, C. G. Jung, and Victor Frankl as a way to express a new understanding of reality that included both the personal and the universal. This field of psychology is often associated with the human potential movement and has its roots in the work of pioneering psychologists such as William James, Carl Jung, and Roberto Assagioli.

Theoretical basis

Transpersonal psychology is concerned with the study of humanity's highest potential, and with the recognition, understanding, and realization of unitive, spiritual, and transcendent states of consciousness. In a transpersonal perspective, transpersonal identity is one's highest potential, which is related to the transcendent aspects of existence.

Criticism

Critics of transpersonal psychology argue that it lacks empirical evidence and is too focused on spiritual matters. However, proponents argue that the spiritual aspects of human experience cannot be ignored and that transpersonal psychology provides a framework for understanding these experiences.

See also

• Humanistic psychology
• Jungian psychology
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs
• Psychoanalysis
• Spiritual crisis
• Transpersonal psychiatry

External links

• Association for Transpersonal Psychology
• Institute of Transpersonal Psychology

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