This paper presents an unconventional approach to the existential crisis according to the transpersonal psychology of the eleventh century text, Yogavāsiṣṭha. An existential crisis is a general term used to signify a subjective experience of emotional distress as it relates to certain objective realities of human existence. This paper builds off key concepts (“givens”) from the field of existential psychotherapy, including death, isolation, freedom, and meaninglessness, provided by psychoanalyst Irvin D. Yalom, illuminating how the crisis is addressed in contemporary psychotherapeutic settings. Brief attention is given to the Western academic roots of existential psychotherapy, including areas of continental philosophy and humanistic psychology; this reveals a stark implication regarding general Western approaches: alleviation of the existential crisis requires a humanistic intervention, the individualist pursuit toward self-identity. Although this addresses the significance of human will and agency, it fails to take into consideration existence as a complex whole, suggesting a dualistic understanding of what it means to be in the world—the self in contrast to other living beings, the universe, the cosmos. This thesis proposes to expand the humanistic approach, responding to the existential crisis through the transpersonal Yoga of the Yogavāsiṣṭha, whose captivating mythological-like stories illustrate overcoming crises of human existence through a nondual, mind-only philosophy, emphasizing the importance of cultivating nonattachment, effort, and creativity to live a life of selfless action. Four narratives are explicated as well as the transpersonal techniques used to overcome the internal conflict perpetuated by Yalom’s “givens” of existence. By working with dreams, inquiring into reincarnation, contemplating on the five great elements, and expressing narrative, realization of Self-identity (with a capital ‘S’) removes the veil of ignorance overshadowing perception of an existential crisis, thus elucidating a visionary metamorphosis.

This study opens with an introduction to the transpersonal orientation, which Boucouvalas presents as a meta-framework of the transpersonal field that includes individual, group/societal, and planetary/cosmic domains. Three major theoretical perspectives of the field framed the study: the hierarchical stages of development, spiral path, and participatory. I offer a philosophical hermeneutic reading of the Qur'an to trace the development of human collective consciousness as a construct of the interaction between the autonomous and homonomous self at the individual, group, and cosmic levels on one plane of reality with the Divine on the other. This analysis, which utilizes Gadamer's conceptualization of philosophical hermeneutics as a research philosophy, concludes that this process of collective human development is comprised of three clearly distinct representations: familial, national, and cosmic/planetary. I articulate development and growth as a process of the expansion of collective consciousness. The cosmic/planetary human consciousness represents the ultimate reach of this expansion, for it assimilates the national and familial types while simultaneously transforming and transcending them within its reach. Based on the historical development of human consciousness in the Qur'an depicted in this study, I propose that human collective consciousness has reached the domains of cosmic consciousness, which began at the time of the Qur'an being read by Muhammad. However, individuals and groups may still operate within the limiting boundaries of national consciousness in the form of religious, ethnic, racial, and nation states. The Qur'an, and possibly other religious texts, should be understood within this expanded cosmic/planetary consciousness reach because they represent humanity's collective heritage. Moreover, those individuals operating within a strictly national consciousness should not be entrusted with explaining these texts to humanity at large or imposing their own limiting understanding on the world. I conclude by outlining some implications for adult education as a process, a program and a movement. I presented the possible contribution of a transpersonal adult learning theory based on this study's meta-framework as a comprehensive worldview to adult education and learning combining multiple dimensions of being, including the rational, affective, spiritual, imaginative, somatic, and sociocultural domains through relevant experiences of body-mind-spirit. / Ph. D.

This historical study examines events, institutions, experiences, and relationships in Pinkerton's life for educational significance in developing her extraordinary commitment to the common good. Data are viewed through the Deweyan lens of education as continuous, participative, and experiential. Additionally, the study illuminates from Pinkerton's speeches examples of her education of others regarding the need for the common good. Components of the common good found in the philosophical literature and ego transcendence stemming from a wisdom deep within oneself found in the literature of transpersonal psychology form the conceptual framework upon which this study builds. The chapters are thematic in scope with the content of each chapter presented chronologically to illuminate a continuous education. The study revealed an integral interaction of education, spirituality, and history in the development and educative embodiment of Pinkerton's transpersonal commitment to the common good. Pinkerton lived a uniquely structured life as a member of the Congregation of Saint Joseph religious community. Emphasis on theological reflection, critical reflection, dialogue, and action for change fostered a perspective transformation regarding the role of women religious in the Roman Catholic Church and led to an analysis of systems that bring oppression of other groups and of planet earth. This awareness eventually led Pinkerton to educate and lobby the U.S. Congress for inclusion of all in the common good. The study concludes with a metaphor of Pinkerton's life as a whole cloth or seamless garment being constructed from threads of the past, present, and envisioned future. A dialogical shuttle weaves the threads into vibrant, ever-changing, richly hued designs. The design increases in complexity and richness guided by radical, responsible freedom. Such freedom arises from a relationship with a divine wisdom deep within Pinkerton-a relationship through which developed an understanding of the interconnectedness of all things in the common good. Pinkerton's championship of the common good evolved historically through continuous, participative, experiential engagement with learning. / Ph. D.

Attributes associated with mystical experience among Christians, Buddhists, Jews and Pagans are explored in psychometric data presented in this thesis. Two such attributes in particular, the personality trait of psychoticism and attitudes held towards mysticism, are given focal attention. Psychoticism, a trait at one time supposedly linked with vulnerability to psychosis, has been much assessed in previous research into religiosity- personality correlates, and a more recent emerging literature has assessed this trait in relationship to religious experience. However, as this thesis clarifies, good grounds exist for challenging the view that this is a homogeneous trait. Assessments of traits relating to distinct facets of psychoticism, specifically the three traits of agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experience, provided solid grounds for taking apparently significant positive correlations between mystical experience and psychoticism as evidence that the former is associated with creativity rather than psychosis. In each religious group studied, a significant positive correlation was found between attitudes to mysticism and mystical experience. However, this thesis also presents grounds for distinguishing these concepts. The possibility that psychoticism relates in different ways to these constructs, and the implications this has for the question of whether mysticism arises through social learning or reflects an innate tendency invariant across creed, are considered

In this review I examine the clinical uses of psychedelics as an adjunct to psychotherapy to treat three major mental health disorders; Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Addiction (Substance Use Disorder). I assess the hallucinogen treatment model's efficacy in treating chronic mental health disorders that have been unresponsive to legal and traditional psychiatric treatment. I review the earlier studies conducted with psychedelics and discuss the more recent ones. This review may be helpful to therapists and clinicians who would like to further their understanding of psychedelic therapy.

William James desenvolveu no conjunto de seus trabalhos um referencial filosófico útil para estudos da consciência e da religião que permanece válido e aplicável na prática contemporânea de disciplinas como a psicologia e a antropologia. O presente trabalho é uma exploração inicial de possibilidades filosóficas abertas por James nesses campos: a religiosidade, a espiritualidade, e a busca de sentido e transcendência em um mundo desencantado. A tese foi dividida em duas partes. Na Parte I, apresentei o contexto da relação contemporânea entre psicologia e espiritualidade. Nessa parte, discuti o significado de ambas as palavras, a relação que historicamente existe entre elas, e o papel de James na constituição histórica dessa relação. Além de ter tido um papel histórico na formação de um campo de estudos no qual esses dois assuntos se interconectam, James também forneceu uma abordagem filosófica para investigá-los. Essa abordagem foi chamada por ele de empirismo radical. Na Parte II, desenvolvi uma reflexão em torno do empirismo radical, trabalhando alguns conceitos que podem ser úteis para uma prática de investigação radicalmente empirista. / William James developed in his work a useful philosophical framework for studies on consciousness and religion which remains valid and applicable in the contemporary practice of disciplines such as psychology and anthropology. The present work is an initial exploration of philosophical possibilities opened up by James in these fields: religiosity, spirituality, and the search for meaning and transcendence in a disenchanted world. The thesis was divided into two parts. In Part I was presented the context of the contemporary relationship between psychology and spirituality. In this part, I discussed the meaning of both words, the relationship that historically exists between them and Jamess role in the historical constitution of that relationship. Besides having a historical role in the formation of a field of studies in which these two topics interconnect, James provided also a philosophical approach to investigate them. He called this approach radical empiricism. In Part II, I developed a reflection on radical empiricism, working out some concepts which may be useful for a radically empiricist inquiry.

Este estudo teve como objetivos: analisar o conceito de Espiritualidade a partir da Teoria do Cuidado Transpessoal proposta por Jean Watson e Discutir as relações entre Experiências da Consciência (Espirituais), nos campos de interação denominados pela teorista de Momento Presente, Campo Fenomenológico e Ocasião Real de Cuidado. Método: foi utilizado a Análise de Clarificação de Conceito, proposto por Wilson. As seguintes etapas foram seguidas: 1. Isolar as questões de conceito; 2. Encontrar as respostas certas; 3. Casos Modelo; 4. Casos Contrários; 5. Casos Relacionados; 6. Casos de Difícil Diagnóstico; 7. Casos Inventados; 8. O Contexto Social; 9. Anseios Basilares; 10. Resultados Práticos e 11. Resultados na Linguagem. As questões norteadoras para análise foram: a) Qual a natureza da Espiritualidade no Cuidado Transpessoal? e b) Espiritualidade se difere de Materialidade nas relações de cuidado, uma vez que a primeira exigiria diferentes níveis de interação para que uma dimensão mais sutil pudesse ser acessada?. Resultados: na Teoria do Cuidado Humano a Espiritualidade é concebida como o Mundo do Espírito, experienciado através de um campo fenomenológico de interação entre dois Seres caracterizado pela ocorrência de Experiências da Consciência (ou espirituais). Na Teoria do Cuidado Humano os antecedentes para Espiritualidade foram: Alma/Espírito, caracterizado por: Imortalidade, Imaterialidade, Essência, Auto Conhecimento, Consciencia e Energia Criativa; Individualidade, configurada por Alma/Espirito e Transcendencia física, mental e emocional e, por fim, Experiências da Consciência, indicada por: Intuição, Experiencia Espiritual/Sobrenatural/Metafísica/Mística. Os atributos encontrados para acessar à dimensão espiritual foram os dez Clinical Caritas Process. Também verificou-se que o Processo Interacional Paciente-Profissional é direcionado a partir da triade: Mente-Corpo-Espirito onde os resultados esperados estão relacionados à ocorrência de Ocasião Real de Cuidado, percebida pela Conexão a partir das Histórias de Vida, Dilatação da Percepção do Campo Fenomênico, Rupturas na relação espaço-tempo, culminando na Transpessoalidade e Processo de Cuidado Humano, evidenciado pelo Contato Profundo com o Outro e Consigo, Uso de Linguagem Pertinente para Descrever a Experiencia Vivida e, por fim, Sistematização do Plano de Cuidados a Partir dos Dados Obtidos da Experiência. / This study aimed to analyze the concept of spirituality from Human Caring Theory by Jean Watson and Discuss the relationship between Experiences of Consciousness (Spiritual), in the interaction field called by theorist of \'Present Moment, \'Phenomenological Field\' and \'Actual Caring Occasion. Method: Wilsons concept clarification was used. The following steps were followed: 1. Isolate questions of concept 2. Find the right answers; 3.Model Case 4. Contrary Cases 5. Related Cases 6. Borderline 7. Invented Cases 8. Social Context 9. Underlying anxiety 10. Practical Results and 11. Results in language. The guiding questions for analysis were: a) What is the nature of Spirituality in Caring? b) Spirituality differs from materiality in relations of care, since the first would require different levels of interaction for a more subtle dimension could be accessed\'. Methodological steps performed this study concluded that: the Theory of Human Caring Spirituality is conceived as the World of Spirit, experienced through a phenomenological field of interaction between two beings characterized by the occurrence of experiences of consciousness (or spirit). In Human Care Theory were the background for Spirituality: Soul/Spirit, characterized by: Immortality, Immateriality, Essence, Self Knowledge, Consciousness, and Creative Energy, Individuality, set by Soul /Spirit and Transcendence physical, mental and emotional, and finally, Experiences of Consciousness, indicated by: Intuition, Experience Spiritual/ Supernatural / Metaphysical / Mystical. The attributes found to access the spiritual dimension were the ten Clinical Caritas Process. It was observed that the Patient Process-Interactional Professional is directed from the triad: Mind-Body-Spirit where the outcomes are related to the occurrence of Care Real Deal, the perceived connection from Life Stories, dilatation of Perception Field phenomenal, breaks in the space-time, culminating in transpersonal Process and Human Care, evidenced by the Deep Contact with the Other and I can, Use of Language Relevant to describe the experience and, finally, Systematization Plan of Care Data Obtained from Experience

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T19:37:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 17 / Bolsa para curso e programa de Pós Graduação / Extensa revisão histórico/paradigmática sobre a espiritualidade percorreu diferentes correntes psicológicas, nos trazendo aos estudos científicos atuais, que demonstram correlação positiva e significativa entre espiritualidade e saúde mental. Tal fato evidencia a necessidade de habilitação dos psicólogos para lidarem com essa dimensão humana. Esta dissertação, composta por dois estudos, buscou conhecer como a espiritualidade tem sido abordada na formação em Psicologia e na clínica psicológica. Inicialmente, foram investigados os índices de espiritualidade de 1.064 calouros e formandos de Psicologia das diferentes universidades gaúchas. Utilizou-se de questionário biossociodemográfico, da Escala de Bem-Estar Espiritual (EBE) e da Subescala de Espiritualidade, Religiosidade e Crenças Pessoais SRPB-WHOQOL-100. Os resultados revelaram índices de espiritualidade significativamente menores nos formandos do que nos calouros de Psicologia (t=3,769; p<0,001). Os formandos também referem acreditar em Deus e/ou forç / An extensive historical/paradigmatic review about spirituality covered different psychological branches and brought us to the current scientific studies which demonstrate positive and meaningful correlation between spirituality and mental health. This fact clearly evidences the necessity of training psychologists to deal with this human dimension. This research, which consists of two studies, aims at investigating how spirituality has been approached in the training of psychologists and in their professional practice. Initially, the indexes of spirituality of 1064 psychology students were investigated, in different universities in Rio Grande do Sul. A biosocialdemographic questionnaire, the Spiritual Well-Being Scale and the Spirituality, Religiousness and Personal Beliefs Sub-scale SRPB-WHOQOL-100 were applied. The results revealed spirituality indexes significantly lower in the senior students than in the freshmen in the psychology courses under scrutiny (t=3,769; p<0,0001). The senior students also affi

The topic of my research is the lived experiences of eight psychotherapists and counsellors who consciously work with unusual phenomena as it arises in the therapeutic encounter. Unusual phenomena in this thesis refers to felt experiences which are considered to be beyond the everyday in the Cartesian paradigm and are often referred to as spiritual and/or mystical phenomena. Exploring these phenomena brings to light the potentialities in the vastness of consciousness which is considered to be an integral aspect of human existence in the thesis. I chose Heidegger’s hermeneutic phenomenological methodology for the research because it gives credence to the many and varied possibilities and potentialities both in particular lived experiences and in human existence as a whole. Van Manen’s lived existential provides the framework in which the participants’ experiences are explored. What emerged from the research is that unusual phenomena are not unusual for the participants. Although such phenomena are less visible and therefore less familiar in the everyday world, they are recognizable through their consistent presentation. This includes the participants having a powerful sense of ‘knowing’ which is all-encompassing and is beyond familiar landmarks such as the linear models of time and space. The participants bring their ‘knowing’ into the everyday world through embodiment and through their acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of existence. The expression of interconnectedness is experienced by the participants as lovingness, from which the ability for immediate healing in their therapeutic work becomes apparent. The participants’ accounts show a capacity for accessing the subtleties of human existence which emerge in the phenomenological process as the forgotten feminine of consciousness. The feminine of consciousness is a term used to describe a fundamental state of ‘being’ in contrast to the everyday masculine principle of ‘doing’. The research has implications for psychotherapy and counselling as it illuminates the need for a holistic approach which acknowledges the multidimensionality of human existence.

Psychosis has long been recognised as a severe mental disorder characterised by derangement of personality, disorganised thought, and a loss of contact with reality. Certain mystical and alternate states, which have been practiced throughout history by various cultures, have also been deemed as pathological through the lens of western psychiatry even though many of these states provide beneficial contributions to the individual and their community. A number of similar states have been found in modern society and have been termed "Spiritual Emergencies". The aim of this research was to determine whether "spiritual emergency". (SE) is a valid concept and to outline the differences between SE and psychosis. One-hundred-and-nine participants from the general public completed a questionnaire developed for this research, comprised of measures of psychosis and ten spiritual emergency subscales. Results indicated that participants who were prescribed medication or previously experienced a psychotic episode scored higher on the SE subscales. One strong factor was found to underlie all the SE subscales and a significant relationship was found between this factor and the measure of psychotic experience. It is open to interpretation as to whether psychosis is nothing more than SE or whether SE is nothing more than psychosis. The implications of these findings are discussed. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2008