Discussion post I submitted for my Atlantic University TP5020 Course – December 18, 2019
In your own words how would you now appraise the value of transpersonal studies in contemporary society?
The world is at an exciting and transformative point never seen before in human history despite the challenges and divisions that seem to dominate our daily existence. As a culture and as a world we are experiencing a “great awakening.” People are opening themselves up to that nagging internal voice that pushes us to seek more than what the “real world” can offer.
Transpersonal studies, as an academic, scientific, and practical field, can provide the very answers to what people are desperately seeking, which makes it tremendously valuable. It is uniquely positioned to not only serve our contemporary society by providing answers that people seek but it’s poised to be a primary catalyst in our transformation.
When I tell people I’m pursuing a Master’s in Transpersonal Psychology, after giving me a confused look, they say, “what is it?.” I tell them it’s where New Age meets Old Age meets Egyptian Mystery School meets Eastern Religion meets Christianity meets mysticism meets Kabbalah meets quantum physics. In short, I say it’s the scientific study and practical application of spirituality and consciousness.
And what better field of study is there that can launch us into the Age of Aquarius?!
What is your vision for the future of transpersonal psychology?
While the name Transpersonal Psychology has only been around since the 1960s, the study of spirituality and consciousness and the critical role it plays our lives has been around for over a century. As we’ve learned throughout this course of studies, its roots go back to William James. And how much different would modern psychology be if we followed more of Jung and less of Freud?!
During this period of time, transpersonal psychology has taken a back seat to the more practical and scientific materialism that pervades the field of psychology. It’s received short-shift as it continuously goes head-to-head with a field that has become more and more dominated by pharmaceutical treatments.
My vision for the future of transpersonal psychology, after undergoing a major rebranding, is to grow beyond the field of psychology. It no longer needs to try to jam itself into the restrictive confines of psychology. As more and more people become averse to their “magic pill” approach, or they begin questioning the efficacy of endless years of talk therapy, they will be looking elsewhere for answers.
And it’s already happening. Meditation, yoga, holistic approaches to medicine, proper diet, a healthy balance of life and work, and uniquely personal ways of worshiping are now mainstream. As people wake up more and more, I believe they will leave “mainstream psychology” or psychology will become more like transpersonal psychology in order to meet them. And if handled properly, transpersonal psychology then has an opportunity to be the dominant field.