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'''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 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, [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.

Transpersonal psychologists see the school as compatible with 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, [https://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: [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).

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: [https://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==

Amongst the thinkers who are held to have set the stage for transpersonal studies are [[William James]], [[Sigmund Freud]], [[Otto Rank]], [[Carl Jung]], [[Abraham Maslow]], and [[Roberto Assagioli]] (Cowley & Derezotes, 1994; Miller, 1998; Davis, 2003). Research by Vich (1988) suggests that earliest usage of the term "transpersonal" can be found in lecture notes which William James had prepared for a semester at Harvard University in 1905-6. A major motivating factor behind the initiative to establish this school of psychology was [[Abraham Maslow]]'s already published work regarding human peak experiences. Maslow's work grew out of the humanistic movement of the 1960's, and gradually the term "transpersonal" was associated with a distinct school of psychology within the humanistic movement.

Amongst the thinkers who are held to have set the stage for transpersonal studies are [[William James]], [[Sigmund Freud]], [[Otto Rank]], [[Carl Jung]], [[Abraham Maslow]], and [[Roberto Assagioli]] (Cowley & Derezotes, 1994; Miller, 1998; Davis, 2003). Research by Vich (1988) suggests that earliest usage of the term "transpersonal" can be found in lecture notes which William James had prepared for a semester at Harvard University in 1905-6. A major motivating factor behind the initiative to establish this school of psychology was [[Abraham Maslow]]'s already published work regarding human peak experiences. Maslow's work grew out of the humanistic movement of the 1960's, and gradually the term "transpersonal" was associated with a distinct school of psychology within the humanistic movement.

   

   

In 1969, [[Abraham Maslow]], [[Stanislav Grof]] and Anthony Sutich were the initiators behind the publication of the first issue of the ''Journal of Transpersonal Psychology'', the leading academic journal in the field. This was soon to be followed by the founding of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology (ATP) in 1972. In the 1980s and 90s the field developed through the works of such authors as [[Jean Houston]], [[Stanislav Grof]], [[Ken Wilber]], [[Michael Washburn]], Frances Vaughan, [[Roger Walsh]], [[Stanley Krippner]], [[Michael Murphy]], [[Charles Tart]], David Lukoff, Vasily Nalimov and Stuart Sovatsky. While Wilber has been considered an influential writer and theoretician in the field, he has since personally dissociated himself from the movement in favor of what he calls an integral approach.  

In 1969, [[Abraham Maslow]], [[Stanislav Grof]] and Anthony Sutich were the initiators behind the publication of the first issue of the ''Journal of Transpersonal Psychology'', the leading academic journal in the field. This was soon to be followed by the founding of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology (ATP) in 1972. In the 1980s and 90s the field developed through the works of such authors as [[Jean Houston]], [[Stanislav Grof]], [[Ken Wilber]], [[Michael Washburn]], Frances Vaughan, [[Roger Walsh]], [[Stanley Krippner]], [[Michael Murphy]], [[Charles Tart]], David Lukoff, Vasily Nalimov and Stuart Sovatsky. While Wilber has been considered an influential writer and theoretician in the field, he has since personally dissociated himself from the movement in favor of what he calls an [https://wilber.shambhala.com/html/books/kosmos/excerptA/notes-1.cfm ''integral''] approach.  

Today transpersonal psychology also includes approaches to health, [[social sciences]] and practical arts. Transpersonal perspectives are also being applied to such diverse fields as [[psychology]], [[psychiatry]], [[anthropology]], [[sociology]], [[pharmacology]], cross-cultural studies (Scotton, Chinen and Battista, 1996; Davis, 2003) and [[social work]] (Cowley & Derezotes, 1994). Currently, transpersonal psychology, especially the schools of [[Jungian psychology|Jungian]] and [[Archetypal psychology]], is integrated, at least to some extent, into many psychology departments in American and European Universities. Transpersonal therapies are also included in many therapeutic practices.  

Today transpersonal psychology also includes approaches to health, [[social sciences]] and practical arts. Transpersonal perspectives are also being applied to such diverse fields as [[psychology]], [[psychiatry]], [[anthropology]], [[sociology]], [[pharmacology]], cross-cultural studies (Scotton, Chinen and Battista, 1996; Davis, 2003) and social work (Cowley & Derezotes, 1994). Currently, transpersonal psychology, especially the schools of [[Carl Jung|Jungian]] and [[Archetypal psychology]], is integrated, at least to some extent, into many psychology departments in American and European Universities. Transpersonal therapies are also included in many therapeutic practices.  

Institutions of higher learning that have adopted insights from transpersonal psychology include [[The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology]] (US), [[California Institute of Integral Studies]] (US), [[John F. Kennedy University]] (US), [[University of West Georgia]] (US), [[Atlantic University]] (US), [[Burlington College]] (US), [[Liverpool John Moores University]] (UK), the [[University of Northampton]] (UK), and [[Naropa University]] (Colorado). There is also a strong connection between the transpersonal and the humanistic perspective. This is not surprising since transpersonal psychology started off within [[humanistic psychology]] (Aanstoos, Serlin & Greening, 2000).

Institutions of higher learning that have adopted insights from transpersonal psychology include [[The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology]] (US), [[California Institute of Integral Studies]] (US), [[John F. Kennedy University]] (US), [[University of West Georgia]] (US), [[Atlantic University]] (US), [[Burlington College]] (US), [[Liverpool John Moores University]] (UK), the [[University of Northampton]] (UK), and [[Naropa University]] (Colorado). There is also a strong connection between the transpersonal and the humanistic perspective. This is not surprising since transpersonal psychology started off within [[humanistic psychology]] (Aanstoos, Serlin & Greening, 2000).

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.bps.org.uk/transpersonal The British Psychological Society - Transpersonal Psychology Section]

* [https://www.saybrook.edu/ Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center]

* [http://www.transpersonalacademy.co.uk/ The Manchester Academy of Transpersonal Studies]

* [https://www.bps.org.uk/transpersonal The British Psychological Society - Transpersonal Psychology Section]

* [http://www.atpweb.org/ Association for Transpersonal Psychology]

* [https://www.transpersonalacademy.co.uk/ The Manchester Academy of Transpersonal Studies]

* [http://www.itp.edu/ The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology]

* [https://www.atpweb.org/ Association for Transpersonal Psychology]

* [http://www.atpweb.org/journal.asp ATP - Journal of Transpersonal Psychology]

* [https://www.itp.edu/ The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology]

* [http://www.goddard.edu/masterarts_consciousness/ Goddard College concentration in Consciousness Studies in Individualized MA Program]

* [https://www.atpweb.org/journal.asp ATP - Journal of Transpersonal Psychology]

* [http://www.ahpweb.org/rowan_bibliography/chapter14.html AHP - John Rowan's Guide to Humanistic Psychology - Transpersonal Psychology]

* [https://www.goddard.edu/masterarts_consciousness/ Goddard College concentration in Consciousness Studies in Individualized MA Program]

* [http://www.jfku.edu/programs/programs/psych_couns_gen/ma_couns_shs/trans_psych/ John F. Kennedy University School of Holistic Studies - MA in Counseling Psychology with specialization in Transpersonal Psychology]

* [https://www.ahpweb.org/rowan_bibliography/chapter14.html AHP - John Rowan's Guide to Humanistic Psychology - Transpersonal Psychology]

* [http://www.dialogical.net/psychology/transpersonal.html WWW Virtual Library - Transpersonal Psychology: links]

* [https://www.jfku.edu/programs/programs/psych_couns_gen/ma_couns_shs/trans_psych/ John F. Kennedy University School of Holistic Studies - MA in Counseling Psychology with specialization in Transpersonal Psychology]

* [http://www.mdani.demon.co.uk/trans/humtrans.htm Explore Transpersonal Psychology]

* [https://www.dialogical.net/psychology/transpersonal.html WWW Virtual Library - Transpersonal Psychology: links]

* [http://www.spiritualschool.org/ School of Spiritual Psychology website]

* [https://www.mdani.demon.co.uk/trans/humtrans.htm Explore Transpersonal Psychology]

* [http://www.sophiajournal.org/ ''SOPHIA: Journal of the School of Spiritual Psychology'']

* [https://www.spiritualschool.org/ School of Spiritual Psychology website]

* [http://www.johnvdavis.com/tp John Davis's Transpersonal Psychology website]

* [https://www.sophiajournal.org/ ''SOPHIA: Journal of the School of Spiritual Psychology'']

* [http://sandra.stahlman.com/lukoff.html Sandra Stahlman - Commentary on Diagnosis of Mystical Experience With Psychotic Features"]

* [https://www.johnvdavis.com/tp John Davis's Transpersonal Psychology website]

* [http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Transpersonal_psychology Transpersonal psychology at The Psychology Wiki]

* [https://sandra.stahlman.com/lukoff.html Sandra Stahlman - Commentary on Diagnosis of Mystical Experience With Psychotic Features"]

* [http://www.robertaziz.com Website of leading Freudian-Jungian scholar-author-psychotherapist, Dr. Robert Aziz]

* [https://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Transpersonal_psychology Transpersonal psychology at The Psychology Wiki]

* [http://h2o.law.harvard.edu/ViewProject.do;jsessionid=99D44855B8F0563438742A1287C60921?projectID=459] Course content for anyone to use on Transpersonal Psychology at Harvard University

* [https://www.robertaziz.com Website of leading Freudian-Jungian scholar-author-psychotherapist, Dr. Robert Aziz]

* [http://www.transpersonalstuff.org An up and coming student-run transpersonal psychology community website]

* [https://h2o.law.harvard.edu/ViewProject.do;jsessionid=99D44855B8F0563438742A1287C60921?projectID=459] Course content for anyone to use on Transpersonal Psychology at Harvard University

* [https://www.transpersonalstuff.org An up and coming student-run transpersonal psychology community website]

[[Category: Psychology]]

[[Category: Psychology]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]