La transpersonal psychology is interested in ” non-ordinary states Of consciousness: ecstasy, the feeling of connection with the Universe, the acute awareness of one’s inner being, mysticism, etc. Although they are often viewed with suspicion, these states would not only be healthy, but would represent the actualization of higher needs of the human being. As its name suggests, the tranny-personal concerns what exists beyond the personality, its conditioning and its small world.

As a practice, this psychology has as its object the ” full realization ” of the person. It is concerned, for example, with the disturbances resulting from the confinement of the supposedly “unlimited” potentials of consciousness in the limited structures of the ego – as can be manifested in times of existential crises or what are called crises. of spiritual emergence.

Le transpersonal movement goes beyond the framework of individual psychology to touch all spheres of human activity that can be inspired by a sacred conception of the world: economy, ecology, philosophy, etc.

The territory of transpersonal psychology is not a modern “invention” since it has been extensively explored by oriental and shamanic traditions. Many philosophers of ancient Greece were also sensitive to it. From the modern Western perspective, great thinkers and researchers of the XNUMXth century^e century, like Carl Jung, Emmanuel Mounier¹ and Roberto Assagioli² (the founder of psychosynthesis), constitute fundamental references. But there are certain specific events of the 1960s that determined its emergence. First, the American humanist psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) established his famous pyramid of human needs.³

Now recognized around the world, it presents the needs common to all humans in a hierarchical progression at 5 levels, the highest of which is ” achievement “Or the” self-actualization “. This dimension concerns the aspiration to concretize one’s capacities and talents, to “grow”, to develop one’s potential (hence the current terms of “personal growth” and “movement of human potential”).

Maslow later refined this last level to incorporate notions of ” transcendence “Or” transcendence “. Several thinkers then saw fit to create a 6^e separate level at the top of the pyramid^4-5 . This level is defined by the aspiration to live experiences of unity with the Cosmos and unconditional love for Humanity.

In 1969, Abraham Maslow found him Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, while the Association for Transpersonal Psychology is set up, 2 years later, just after his death (see Sites of interest). The mission of this association was, and still is, to provide a place of exchange for researchers and practitioners of the transpersonal movement, as well as to promote a vision ofuniverse as a sacred entity.

Moreover, at the time when Maslow was carrying out his research, the “alternative educational center” opened on the Californian coast. Esalen, which would become the “Mecca” of transpersonal exploration. Hundreds of scientists, artists and spiritual masters have stayed there at one time or another. We conducted workshops on very innovative therapeutic practices and all kinds of spiritual investigations, especially with oriental spiritualities. Many psychospiritual approaches have arisen from these eclectic encounters.

As for the reflection on the movement, it was pursued in particular by Charles Tart, professor of psychology at the University of California at Davis; by Stanislav Grof, psychiatrist and co-creator of holotropic breathing; by Roger Walsh, professor of psychiatry; and by Ken Wilber, an erudite philosopher who is certainly its main theorist.

It should also be mentioned that, seeking to explore the various manifestations of consciousness, the transpersonal movement was very interested in paranormal phenomena: testimonies of people believing to have been abducted by extraterrestrials, near-death experiences, premonition, telepathy, shamanic practices, etc.

La transpersonal psychology is not limited to personal issues. It does not play so much in the territory of the ego, but where the ego fades away and gives up its dominant place. If, in classical psychology, the models are successful, motivated, efficient men and women, well integrated socially, those of the transpersonal are saints, sages and heroes of humanity. This does not mean that this approach denies the importance of a healthy ego, on the contrary: it is from solid and balanced foundations that the human being could reach other dimensions.

Selon Ken Wilber⁶, “The opening of consciousness” is normal and natural: primitive in children, consciousness develops gradually, passes through the stage of identification with the ego, then should be able to open up to the whole of creation, as Carl Jung has described in his books. In its ultimate stage of development, consciousness is akin to the awakening or enlightenment of which many mystical traditions speak.

The transpersonal is not a method, it is a human being design and the world around it. Psychotherapists who share this view can take a classical approach and simply allow the spiritual dimension to occupy the space it deserves in human development. But, generally, transpersonal work consists in causing in individuals non-ordinary states of consciousness (Maslow called them peak experiences or paroxysmal experiences). These experiences are meant to shatter mental or emotional limitations and provide access to a much larger awareness of reality.

Several techniques are used for this purpose, most of them borrowed from or adapted from oriental or shamanic spiritual traditions: various forms of meditation, hypnosis, sacred dances, sweat lodges (sweat lodge), vision quest, regression in past lives, dreams, lucid dreams, breathing and energy techniques from yoga or Qi Gong, work with rituals, holotropic breathing, art therapy, creative visualization, sophrology, rebirth, etc.

Most of these technical are powerful and must be practiced in an adequate and safe environment. The psychotherapist must be able to help the person to decode his experiences and to integrate them. We must therefore carefully choose the therapist with whom we wish to embark on such an adventure.

Remember, however, that transcendent experiences can occur spontaneously due to natural phenomena, such as being in front of a landscape or a work of art of great beauty, witnessing the birth of a child or the death of a loved one . In addition, dancing, singing, sport, science, courage and devotion are also avenues of access to this type of experience.

Although it has several important researchers and authors, the transpersonal psychology remains marginal. It is not taught in university psychology faculties and professional orders of psychologists rarely recognize the practices associated with it. It must be said that, in “official” psychology, there already exists an existential / humanist orientation which aims at the actualization of oneself, but without the work being oriented on the search for transcendence.

Transpersonal psychology is aimed more particularly at people:

• who want to explore and confirm their deep aspirations;
• en existential crisis or who live a major transition (retirement, divorce, new orientation, death of a loved one, etc.);
• in the process of healing;
• in process or in spiritual crisis;
• struggling with addiction (alcohol, drugs, relationships). For transpersonal movement, addictions can be the “poorly channeled” manifestation of a thirst for union with the “inner source”.

• Transpersonal psychology techniques alone cannot be an adequate response for people living in intense psychological distress. Surpassing oneself is indeed a need, but it is a need which, at least according to the authors of this movement, could only be satisfied when those of other levels are, at least minimally.
• While promoting overcoming, transpersonal psychology encourages Prudence and the awareness of limits specific to our human nature. It also teaches us that to achieve connection with the universe, the incarnate being that we are must first be in contact with himself.

Psychotherapists or practitioners whose approach respects the transpersonal view do not necessarily use this term and often do not display themselves under this label. They can usually be found in organized activities, such as rebirth workshops or vision quests, or by contacting one of the associations mentioned in the Sites of Interest.

The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, California is the premier center for transpersonal training. This school of psychology has been providing a comprehensive program since 1975 including traditional and non-traditional theoretical models. The center also offers distance education programs.

In Quebec, the Quebec Transpersonal Psychology Center founded in 1985 offers a training of 600 hours (18 months) including a practical internship in California.

The Association française du transpersonnel in Paris is a meeting place for those who deal with various aspects of spiritual and bodily rebirth. It also includes the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology which offers various workshops.

Contact details can be found in the Sites of Interest.

Descamps Marc-Alain.

Author of several books on the subject, including these two titles: The transpersonal vision (in collaboration), Éditions Dervy, France, 1995 and The spiritual dimension in psychotherapy (in collaboration), Éditions Somatothérapies, France, 1997.

Count Christina. Thirst for life – Finding meaning in the heart of addiction, Souffle d’or, France, 1994.

The author is co-creator, with Stanislas Grof, of the holotropic breathing approach.

Grof Stanislas. Transpersonal psychology, I read, France, 2009.

Grof Stanislas. For a psychology of the future – Psychic transformation and inner peace, Editions Du Rocher, France, 2002.

A psychiatrist, Grof is an expert in altered states of consciousness.

Pelletier Pierre. Transpersonal therapies, Editions Fides, Canada, 1996.

Theologian, philosopher and psychoanalyst, the author explains very clearly the conceptual basis of transpersonal thought.

Walsh Roger.

This doctor, professor of psychiatry and philosophy, is an important thinker of the transpersonal movement. In The paths of awakening (Le jour, editor, Canada, 2000, translation by Essential Spirituality), it highlights the common purpose of the spiritualities of the world as well as seven disciplines leading to knowing the sacred and divine character of our inner being and of the world around us. See also Beyond the Ego – The Very First Review in Psychology transpersonal (in collaboration with Frances Vaughan), La Table Ronde, France, 1984.

Wilber Ken.

Psychologist, philosopher and academician, Wilber has published twenty books in English, three of which have been translated into French: The holographic paradigm (The Holographic Paradigm), Le jour, publisher, Canada, 1984; The three eyes of knowledge (Eye to Eye), Éditions Du Rocher, Monaco, 1987; and A brief history of everything (A Brief History of Everything), Éditions De Mortagne, Canada, 1997. He is said to have succeeded better than anyone in opening Western psychology to deep perceptions of the wisdom of the great masters.

Association for Transpersonal Psychology

Founded in 1972, it is the first structure of the movement. Brief and precise presentation of transpersonal creeds. She publishes The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology.

www.atpweb.org

French transpersonnel association

Main bridgehead of the movement in the French-speaking world in Europe. Several substantial texts and references.

www.europsy.org

Quebec Transpersonal Psychology Center

Founded in 1985, the center offers one-on-one counseling, group workshops and training. There are also several thoughts on transpersonal approaches.

www.psychologietranspersonnelle.com

Institute of Transpersonnal Psychology, Palo Alto, Californie

The institute, founded in 1975, is still very active in formal and continuing education. To keep up to date on what is happening in the movement.

www.itp.edu

Quebec Society of Professional Psychotherapists

There is no association of the transpersonal in Quebec, but some practitioners of this movement can be reached through the intermediary of the society of psychotherapists (type transpersonal in the search engine).

www.sqpp.org