Transpersonal psychology

Transpersonal psychology is a school of psychology that studies the transcendent, or spiritual dimensions of humanity. Among these factors we find such issues as self-development, peak experiences, mystical experiences and the possibility of development beyond traditional ego-boundaries. A short definition from the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology suggests that 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 (Lajoie and Shapiro, 1992:91).

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The field is considered by proponents to be the "fourth force"' in the field of psychology, the three other fields being psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and Humanistic psychology. According to transpersonal theory these other schools of psychology have failed to give weight to transpersonal or "transegoic" elements of human existence, such as religious conversion, altered states of consciousness and spirituality, in their academic reflection. Thus, transpersonal psychology strives to combine insights from modern psychology with insights from the world's contemplative traditions, both East and West. The transpersonal and spiritual dimensions of the psyche has traditionally not been a focus of interest for Western psychology, which has mainly focused on the prepersonal and personal aspects of the human psyche (Miller, 1998).

Related Topics:
Psychoanalysis - Behaviorism - Humanistic psychology - Religious conversion - Altered states of consciousness - Spirituality

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