Transpersonal Therapy

Transcription

1 SOCP121 Session 7 Transpersonal Therapy Department of Social Sciences Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 1

2 Transpersonal Therapy Session Aim: This session introduces students to transpersonal therapy which is an holistic approach that incorporates the study of mind, body, spirituality and expanded consciousness. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 2

3 Transpersonal Therapy Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, you should: o Be able to identify the key components of transpersonal psychology o Have an awareness of states of consciousness o Be aware of categories of transpersonal experiences Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 3

4 Transpersonal Psychology We cannot change anything unless we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses (Jung) Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to a better understanding of ourselves (Jung) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 4

5 Transpersonal Psychology Is the study of: The mind o o cognitive processes e.g. thoughts, evaluations emotions positive & negative The states of consciousness o mainly higher or expanded rather than suppressed Spirituality o a transcendent dimension & force in relation to the enhancement of human growth and well-being Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 5

6 Transpersonal Psychology - Promotes not only the means for rational and emotional wellbeing, but also transpersonal and spiritual well-being and development. - Focuses on states of consciousness and the non-material, spiritual dimensions of existence, including transcendent experiences. Sometimes these spiritual experiences are known as mystical, religious, transpersonal, supernatural, expanded consciousness, etc. - Overall, expanded or transpersonal consciousness includes a range of experiences from subtle inner intuitive experiences to vastly profound out-of-body consciousness such as near-death experiences. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 6

7 Transpersonal Psychology (cont.) - Conventional personality theories in mainstream psychology never mention words such as soul or paranormal abilities and rarely discusses notions such as creativity or heroism or the other exceptional capabilities of living consciousness. - Transpersonal psychology gives expression to these notions and gives voice to humanity s experience of other overriding abilities and exceptional human experiences (Braud & Anderson, 1998). Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 7

8 Transpersonal Psychology What is transpersonal Psychology? David Lukoff (PhD), Prof. Emeritus of Psychology at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, California, briefly outlines the intention behind the transpersonal approach. (1:17 min) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 8

9 Transpersonal Psychology Pioneers Carl Jung Abraham Maslow Roberto Assagioli Stanislav Grof Anthony Sutich Later: Ken Wilber, Francis Vaughan, Charles Tart, David Lukoff Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 9

10 Key Figures in Transpersonal Psychology CARL JUNG ( ) A Swiss psychiatrist with a strong interest in religion Jung and Freud worked very closely for years. As a result of temperamental and conceptual differences, Jung interrupted his collaborations with Freud Seeking to distinguish between individual psychology and Psychoanalysis, Jung created his own discipline and named it analytical psychology Interested in the study of mythological and religious symbolism and the analogies between the contents of the conscious in Western man and the myths, cults, and rituals of primitive individuals. After the World War I, Jung traveled extensively, visiting tribal communities in Africa, America and India Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 10

11 CARL JUNG (cont.) Basic disagreements between Freud & Jung The importance of sexuality as the primary motivation of behaviour Jung: central importance on the psychological changes associated with mid life whereas Freud focused on the importance of the first 6 years. The belief that the subconscious portion of the personality was primarily a repository of infantile, primitive, destructive impulses The view of the ego as a very weak portion of the self that must defend itself against other areas of the self that are far stronger and more dangerous & that the ego s function was restrictive rather than expansive Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 11

12 CARL JUNG (cont.) Basic disagreements between Freud & Jung (cont.) Jung moved away from traditional psychoanalytical approaches which emphasized logical reasoning to more creative and symbolic ways of understanding personality. Jung s techniques include paying attention to our dreams and engaging in creative activities (e.g. writing or painting). Jung wrote broadly on mythology, religion, spiritualism however he is highly recognised for his writings on the collective unconscious with its universal ideas/images (the archetypes). Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 12

13 Key Figures in Transpersonal Psychology ROBERTO ASSAGIOLI ( ) An Italian psychiatrist. A pioneer in the fields of humanistic and transpersonal psychology Funded Psychosynthesis : A transpersonal or spiritual psychotherapy. A theory and practice of individual development & growth. Each human being is not only a personality but also a soul. There is an inner, psychic realm below the threshold of consciousness. The personality has a natural tendency toward synthesis and syntropy & the spontaneous organization of meaningful and coherent fields within the psyche. Psychotherapy: Wide range of active techniques for individuals to use to further their personal and spiritual development (symbols, myths, imagery, etc). Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 13

14 Key Figures in Transpersonal Psychology STANISLAV GROF ( ) A Czech psychiatrist, one of the founders of Transpersonal Psychology A researcher into the use of non-ordinary states of consciousness Traditional Psychiatry and Psychology use a model of the human personality that is limited to biography and to the individual unconscious - inadequate for understanding the dynamics of emotional and psychosomatic healing, personality transformation and consciousness evolution Creating a Cartography of the Psyche: Using techniques such as psychedelic therapy, healing trance dance, or some experiential approaches. Psychedelic work & Holotropic therapy: to activate and mobilise the unconscious and superconscious levels of the human psyche Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 14

15 STANISLAV GROF (cont.) The new cartography of the Psyche - information from 3 categories: Traditional Biographical-recollective level: our personal history / unconsciousness (Freud) Transbiographical - The perinatal domain: Experiences of birth and death (Grof, Rank) Transbiographical - Transpersonal domain: The consciousness expanded beyond the usual ego boundaries (time/space) (Jung, Assaglioli, Grof, Wilber) The experiences of all categories can be observed in: Forms of experiential psychotherapy using breathing, music, dance & body work Dream analysis Sessions with psychedelic drugs Laboratory mind-altering techniques (biofeedback, sleep deprivation, sensory isolation or sensory overload - kinesthetic devices can also induce many of these phenomena) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 15

16 Transpersonal Psychology A more recent and progressive field of psychology Incorporates spiritual dimensions of existence in the scientific study of human beings Emerged from earlier branches of psychology including humanistic, phenomenological and cognitive psychology Highlights the interrelatedness of all phenomena in the natural and supernatural worlds Recognises the importance of our individual personalities, but it also includes mystical realms of experience which extend outside the limitations of intellectual (scientific) understanding & material existence Incorporates both Eastern & Western philosophies Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 16

17 Transpersonal Psychology The Transpersonal approach extends beyond traditional branches of psychology Trans = beyond: personal = ego. Goes beyond our personal ego to include awareness of higher or expanded states of consciousness Main focus: The study of mind, body, spirituality and expanded consciousness Associates transpersonal consciousness as higher or expanded consciousness, including consciousness of a transcendent spiritual dimension Distinguishes between religion and spirituality Likened to alternative or complementary medicine Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 17

18 Carl Jung The Collective Unconscious (CuC) The reservoir of our experiences as a species, a kind of knowledge we are all born with yet we are not directly conscious of it. It influences our experiences, behaviors, emotions. Some experiences show the effects of the CuC more clearly than others: e.g. Love at first sight, déjà vu, immediate recognition of certain symbols these can be understood as the sudden conjunction of our outer reality and the inner reality of the CuC. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 18

19 Jung s Archetypes Contents of the collective unconscious are called archetypes (or universal concepts) which all humans have throughout time and across tribes & cultures. Some examples include: Mother archetype all our ancestors had mothers, we relied on mother for survival & nurturing. We come into this world ready to want mother, to seek her, to recognize her. The mother archetype is our built-in ability to recognize a certain relationship, that of mothering. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 19

20 Other Archetype Examples Persona mask or public face that we wear to protect ourself. Animus & Anima represent both the biological & psychological aspects of masculinity & femininity which are thought to co-exist in both sexes. Shadow Our dark side which include socially reprehensible thoughts, feelings and actions. We tend to disown the shadow side. The hero, wise old man, trickster Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 20

21 Jungian Theory Whereas Freud viewed dreams as the royal road to the unconscious Jung extends on this through creative analysis and interpretation including using archetypes. He proposed that dreams reflect both an individual s personal unconscious & the collective unconscious. Jung rejected Freud s emphasis on libido or sexual drives and subsequently developed a spiritual approach that places great emphasis on being impelled to find meaning in life in contrast to being driven by the psychological and biological forces described by Freud. Jung s theory is based on the assumption that humans tend to move toward the fulfillment or realisation of all of their capabilities (self-actualisation) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 21

22 Jung: 4 ways of interacting with the world 1. Sensory: getting info by means of the senses. Looking, listening perceiving rather than judging. 2. Thinking: Evaluating info or ideas rationally, logically. Using reason rather than simple intake of information. 3. Intuitive: not a conscious process; e.g. knowing about a complex integration of large amounts of info 4. Feeling: uses evaluation by weighing one s overall emotional response. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 22

23 Transpersonal Psychology is NOT Restricted to religion, religious studies or religious practices Ideology/Cult rather it is open to universal experience New Age In opposition or contradiction to other models of psychology Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 23

24 Stanislav Grof Transpersonal Vision o Part 1 of an interview with Stanislav Grof reflecting on his personal and professional background, and the journey to Transpersonal Psychology. As Stanislav Grof states he was bought to spirituality through scientific work. o Part 1: Stan Grof - The Transpersonal Vision (9.43min) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 24

25 Transpersonal Terms Spirituality Transcendence, Transcendent Experiences Mystical Religious Wholistic Higher, altered, heightened, expanded consciousness Ways of knowing - intuition Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 25

26 Class Activity Brainstorming session Describing Spirituality In small groups brainstorm together: Now, from your own experience, how would you describe what spirituality is (and is not)? Why is it important to consider spirituality in your own life? Why and how would you integrate spirituality when working with a client? Followed by a whole group discussion Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 26

27 Differences between Religion & Spirituality Religion and spirituality are often used interchangeably. To some, spirituality includes religion, and to others, they are mutually exclusive. However, both incorporate a sense of meaning and purpose in life, they seek to enhance a source of love and connection and to provide some tools to explore the unknown. The literature distinguishes between: o Religion - refers to adherence to the beliefs and practices of an organised religion e.g. belief in God, attending services, donating money. o Spirituality refers to a transcendent dimension and force that people can experience with a Higher Being, something that goes beyond specific religious beliefs/practices. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 27

28 Conceptualising Spirituality Ineffable Spirituality exists, is not fictitious Transcendent reality Central Focus :God, Gods, Goddess, Higher Being, universal consciousness Comprises : souls, after-life Universal Spiritual Force: energy force, all pervasive, omnipresent, harmonious Relationship Between Spirituality and Human Being (Soul) Context: Religious, Nonreligious, Philosophical (Eastern vs Western) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 28

29 Client Intake Questions on Spirituality 1. What religion, if any, were you raised with? Are you still associated with the same religion or philosophy? If not, what religion or philosophy do you adhere to now? 2. Is your religion/philosophy/spirituality very important to you? 3. Do you believe in God(s)? Are you an atheist? (do not believe in a God or a Higher Power?) Are you agnostic? Don t know what to believe. Maybe there is, or maybe there isn t a God or Spiritual Power?) 4. Do you believe there is a spiritual or transcendent dimension? 5. Do you believe that individuals have a soul? What happens to it upon death? Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 29

30 States of Consciousness According to transpersonal psychology, there are various states of consciousness: Normal alert waking o o o cognition, judgments, evaluations emotions storehouse of thoughts, perceptions, memories & emotions that are readily accessible to the mind Subconscious repressed thoughts, desires, judgments and associated emotions temporarily or permanently unconscious Transpersonal (heightened or expanded) beyond, yet including the ego sometimes referred to as spiritual or pure entails a sense of direct knowing Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 30

31 Transpersonal Experiences: Altered States of Consciousness Naturally induced (e.g. spontaneous) Drug induced Medicinal e.g. Anaesthetic Illicit drugs e.g. Ecstasy, ice, marijuana Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 31

32 Non Ordinary States of Consciousness o Schizophrenia auditory, visual hallucinations o Dreams ordinary-typical, lucid, spiritual o Transcendent Consciousness (natural) o Dual consciousness (both transcendent and everyday consciousness) Please watchan interview with Stanislav Grof on Spiritual Crisis Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 32

33 Transpersonal Psychology & Spiritual Crisis Please watch an interview with Stanislav Grof on Spiritual Crisis Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 33

34 Categories of Transpersonal Experiences Each category is unique in terms of its characteristics These experiences are often referred to as spiritual experiences because they appear to occur beyond the limitations of physical reality and the mundane. They include: 1. Near death experiences (NDE) 2. Altered states of consciousness (related to perception, self-identity and ways of knowing) Out of body experiences Intuitive ways of knowing 3. Coincidences or synchronicities Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 34

35 Inner-body Experiences Normal mental & physical sense of self is maintained Consciousness is perceived as enhanced Not perceived as a sense of soul inside body e.g. Intuition, inspiration, awareness of coincidences, synchronicities. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 35

36 Intuition Felt knowledge with a strong sense of rightness Not thinking; thinking comes AFTER Does not depend on analysis or reason Emotions neither influence nor distort intuition An opening to oneself of what is Occurs spontaneously Feels like you are a passive receiver Validated by reason & experience Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 36

37 Out-of-Body Experiences Normal physical and mental sense of self is lost, Alert consciousness is experienced Sensed like your soul is outside your physical body Sensed like your soul has a mind of its own that can think, see and feel Near death experience (NDE) and astral travelling Perceived as very profound Experienced as real, not as imagination. Not well understood frightening, isolating Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 37

38 Out-of-Body Experience Definition, Description Soul traveller, soul travels outside of physical body while alive Feeling as if in astral body (like a ghostly or ethereal body) or feeling as if disembodied (both occur) Spontaneous e.g. patient on operating table, she (her consciousness) floats above her body, sees and hears the doctors operating on her Full awareness when they shake off the physical body Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 38

39 Class Activity In small groups sharing the same modality, discuss the following case: A client is experiencing challenges to commit to the health plan you suggested, presenting signs of depression and social anxiety How would you incorporate Transpersonal therapy techniques into his/her therapeutic plan? Which questions would you ask to better understand the situation, considering the spiritual aspect? Which techniques would you choose, how would you incorporate them, at which stage of the treatment? Why? Discuss potential benefits Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 39

40 Transpersonal Counselling Three levels of Intervention: 1. Traditional therapeutic interventions (psychoanalysis, CBT) Focus is on strengthening the ego, reducing pathology & promoting adjustments to the norm. 2. Existential level consists of contemplating issues of existence, meaning & purpose and the examination of one s responses to these issues (Person-centered, Humanistic) 3. Transpersonal one transcends ego identification, identifies with the transpersonal self and experiences a sense of unity & interconnectedness with all of life. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 40

41 Transpersonal Psychology Counselling Transpersonal psychologists help clients enhance their selfesteem, self-confidence, emotional well-being, relationships with others, coping skills and more. And, if the client is willing, transpersonal psychologists can help the person gain or improve awareness of their spiritual potential, sense of soul and soulsense. The aim is to integrate the invisible and transcendent dimensions of life with the visible and material; in other words to ground spirituality into everyday life. Transpersonal development is independent of race, culture, religion, status or gender. In this way, transpersonal is like the air we breathe; it refers to a universal dimension and qualities. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 41

42 Transpersonal Psychology Counselling o Is eclectic; most therapists will use a variety of techniques suited to the client o Includes counsel relating to not only the client s thoughts and emotions whether conscious or subconscious, but also counselling the client to get in touch with their soul and spiritual ways of knowing o Counsels clients with various forms of spiritual confusion o Not many counsellors are trained in Transpersonal Psychology Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 42

43 Who would seek TP Counselling? People lacking/losing meaning in life People facing a crisis which has changed their basic philosophy or beliefs about life e.g. major physical illness People questioning life & death issues People seeking new ways of understanding spirituality & its relevance to their life People facing a spiritual crisis e.g. NDE People of a particular faith feeling pressured or challenged to take on the faith values/rules of a different faith e.g. through marriage, moving to a new country People having transcendent, spiritual, mystical, religious experiences. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 43

44 Transpersonal Psychology Interventions & Techniques Holistic interventions can include: Meditation, contemplation, intuition, yoga, biofeedback, breath training, inward focusing, visualisation, dreamwork, guided imagery Attention is also given to sleep, exercise, diet, nutrition, rest, leisure activities, body/posture movement and work Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 44

45 Class Activity Discussion In small groups of 4-5, discuss & brainstorm together the following questions (one member of the group will write the key answers and will share them with the rest of the class): What are your views related to religion and spirituality? Do you feel others (family, friends, colleagues) accept/support your spiritual values? How so? How do you think your spiritual values will affect your work as a therapist in the future? How will you be able to empathise with clients who have radically different spiritual values than your own? How will you keep your own spiritual values/beliefs from inappropriately impacting the therapeutic bond? Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 45

46 Benefits of Transpersonal Counselling It integrates mind/body/soul and spirituality thus providing a more wholistic approach to wellbeing, growth and healing. It assists the individual to form new views/attitudes/perceptions of themselves/ others and the world he/she lives in. In doing this the individual learns to apply their new or expanded understanding of human potential, human relationships and their relationship with their environment. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 46

47 Potential Contributions of Transpersonal Counselling Greater sense of peace & comfort Broader perspective on life Finding/affirming meaning, purpose & direction in life Greater sense of security Increased sensitivity toward others & self, e.g. compassion, tolerance, patience, understanding Remember this is using a holistic approach, not just cognitive, behavioural and/or emotional. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 47

48 Revision Questions What does the study of Transpersonal Psychology involve? Can you identify and describe the different states of consciousness? Please, identify three (3) categories of transpersonal experiences? How would you incorporate spirituality in therapy? (interventions/techniques?) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 48

49 References Assagioli, R. (1969). Symbols of transpersonal experiences. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 1, Assagioli, R. (2000). Psychosynthesis. Amherst, MA: Synthesis Center Press. Battista, J. (1996). Abraham Maslow and Roberto Assagioli: Pioneers of transpersonal psychology. In B. Scotten, A. Chinnen & J. Battista (Eds.), Textbook of transpersonal psychiatry and psychology (pp ). New York, NY: Basic Books. Corey, G. (2015). Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy (10 th ed.). Australia: Cengage Learning. Grof, S. (1989). Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes a Crisis. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam. Grof, S. (1988). The adventures of self discovery: Dimensions of consciousness and new perspectives in psychotherapy and inner exploration. New York, NY: SUNY. Jung, C.G., von Franz, M. L., Henderson, J.L., Jacobi, J., and Jaffe, A. (1964). Man and his symbols. New York, NY: Anchor Press. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 49