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'''Transpersonal psychology''' is a school of [[psychology]] that studies the [[transpersonal]], the [[transcendence (philosophy)|transcendent]] or [[spirituality|spiritual]] aspects of the human experience.  The ''Journal of Transpersonal Psychology'' describes transpersonal psychology as "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).  Issues considered in transpersonal psychology include spiritual self-development, peak or [[mysticism|mystical experiences]], experiences of living.

'''Transpersonal psychology''' is a school of [[psychology]] that studies the [[transpersonal]], the transcendent or [[spiritual]] aspects of the human experience.  The ''Journal of Transpersonal Psychology'' describes transpersonal psychology as "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).  Issues considered in transpersonal psychology include spiritual self-development, peak or [[mysticism|mystical experiences]], experiences of living.

Transpersonal psychologists see the school as a companion to other schools of psychology that include [[psychoanalysis]], [[behaviorism]], and [[humanistic psychology]]. Transpersonal psychology attempts to unify modern psychology theory with frameworks from different forms of [[mysticism]]. These vary greatly depending on the origin but include religious conversion, [[altered states of consciousness]], trance and other [[spirituality|spiritual]] practices. Although [[Carl Jung]] and others have explored aspects of the spiritual and transpersonal in their work,  transpersonal psychology for the most part has been overlooked by psychologists who are focused on the personal and developmental aspects of the human psyche.

Transpersonal psychologists see the school as a companion to other schools of psychology that include [[psychoanalysis]], [[behaviorism]], and [[humanistic psychology]]. Transpersonal psychology attempts to unify modern psychology theory with frameworks from different forms of [[mysticism]]. These vary greatly depending on the origin but include religious conversion, [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Consciousness#Consciousness:_spiritual_approaches altered states of consciousness], trance and other [[spiritual]] practices. Although [[Carl Jung]] and others have explored aspects of the spiritual and transpersonal in their work,  transpersonal psychology for the most part has been overlooked by psychologists who are focused on the personal and developmental aspects of the human psyche.

==Definitions of Transpersonal Psychology==

==Definitions of Transpersonal Psychology==

Lajoie and Shapiro (1992) reviewed forty definitions of transpersonal psychology that had appeared in literature over the period 1969 to 1991. They found that five key themes in particular featured prominently in these definitions: [[Altered state of consciousness|states of consciousness]], [[higher self]], beyond the ego or personal self, transcendence and the spiritual. Walsh and Vaughan (1993) have criticised many definitions of transpersonal psychology, for carrying implicit ontological or methodological assumptions. They also challenge definitions that link transpersonal psychology to healthy states only, or to the [[Perennial Philosophy]]. These authors define transpersonal psychology as being the branch of psychology that is concerned with transpersonal experiences and related phenomena,  noting that "These phenomena include the causes, effects and correlates of transpersonal experiences, as well as the disciplines and practices inspired by them" (Walsh & Vaughan, 1993, p203).

Lajoie and Shapiro (1992) reviewed forty definitions of transpersonal psychology that had appeared in literature over the period 1969 to 1991. They found that five key themes in particular featured prominently in these definitions: [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Consciousness#Consciousness:_spiritual_approaches states of consciousness], higher self, beyond the ego or personal self, transcendence and the spiritual. Walsh and Vaughan (1993) have criticised many definitions of transpersonal psychology, for carrying implicit ontological or methodological assumptions. They also challenge definitions that link transpersonal psychology to healthy states only, or to the [[Perennial Philosophy]]. These authors define transpersonal psychology as being the branch of psychology that is concerned with transpersonal experiences and related phenomena,  noting that "These phenomena include the causes, effects and correlates of transpersonal experiences, as well as the disciplines and practices inspired by them" (Walsh & Vaughan, 1993, p203).

==The development of the field==

==The development of the field==