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Transpersonal Psychology EWP 6752 — Fall 2010 Transpersonal Psychology Instructor: Greg Bogart, Ph.D, (510) 594-4329 [email protected] Course Description: Transpersonal psychology explores human potential by investigating experiences in which awareness expands beyond the usual limits of space and time, the rational mind, and the physical body—for example, deep meditation and samadhi states, out-of-body journeys, telepathy and precognition, dream lucidity and radiance, visionary journeys induced through various methods, past life memories, awakening of chakras and kundalini energy, states of communion with plants, animals, and transhuman beings, nondual consciousness in its changeless tranquility. Transpersonal researchers study multiple states of consciousness and how they interact and enhance our human existence. Transpersonalists describe the psychological, philosophical, and social implications of these experiences and their relevance to human beings living through a time of planetary crisis. Transpersonal psychologists envisions the evolution of an integral human personality seeking balanced emotional, relational, vocational, spiritual, and creative-expressive development. Transpersonal psychology studies both ancient and modern practices that awaken higher perceptual and energetic potentials: yoga, meditation, pranayama, shamanism, ecstatic dance, devotional practices, chanting and toning, visualization; and contemporary practices, new yogas and group disciplines, practices derived from ecopsychology, new transpersonal expressions in psychotherapy, transformative process work, healing arts, education, as well as in music, art, dance, film, and electronic culture. This course surveys the origins of transpersonal psychology and the unfolding of transpersonal paradigms, theories, and practices. Students are introduced to the work of influential researchers in the field. Students undertake a focused spiritual practice and write about their experiences and inner awakenings in a Spiritual Practice Journal. A final paper allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of core transpersonal theories and to pursue their own research. Course Requirements: • Consistent class attendance (3 absences maximum) and active participation in class discussions. • Practice a spiritual discipline and keep a Journal of your experiences. • Complete Final Exam and Research Paper based on assigned readings and your own research. Papers should be typed, double-spaced, and written in APA style. Carefully edit and proofread all written work prior to submission. • Library orientation. Learn how to use search engines such as PsychInfo for instant access to a world of knowledge and current research. Ask a librarian to show you how. This will take 5 minutes. • Optional: In class presentation (10–15 minutes). • Cell phones and pagers are to be turned off during class. Learning Activities Cognitive/Didactic (lecture/discussion): 50% Practical/Applied (presentations/research) 25% Experiential (group process) 25% Criteria for Evaluation: Spiritual practice journal: 25% Classroom presence and participation 25% Final exam and research paper 50% Summary of Educational Purpose: This course provides students with a conceptual and experiential foundation in transpersonal psychology, surveys the major theorists who have shaped the field, and prepares students to do their own research. The course is also an experiential training in theories and practices intended to aid students in their self-transformation. Learning Objectives: After completing this course, students will: • Understand the basic theories and practices of transpersonal psychology, and be able to answer basic questions about the history and pivotal thinkers in the field. • Develop their own vision of the practical applications of transpersonal theories and models, in psychotherapy, spiritual counseling, education, healthcare and healing arts, bodywork, religion and community activism and leadership. Level of Instruction: M.A./Ph.D Prerequisites: None Grading Options: Course is pass/fail; letter grade is optional Required Texts: Reader of selected articles, available at Copy Central, 2336 Market Street (between Castro and Noe) telephone: 415 431-6725. Grof, S. (1985). Beyond the brain: Birth, death, and transcendence in psychotherapy. OR Grof, S. (1993). The holotropic mind. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco. Welwood, J. (2000). Toward a psychology of awakening. Boston, MA: Shambhala. Ferrer, J. (2002). Revisioning transpersonal theory. A participatory vision of human spirituality. Albany, NY: SUNY Press. Additional reading materials are posted on Electronic Reserve (ERES). Password: “Trans” Other recommended Books: Metzner, R. (1998). The unfolding self. Novato, CA: Origin Press. Daniels, M. (2005). Shadow, self, spirit: Essays in transpersonal psychology. Charlottesville,VA: Imprint Academic. Trungpa, C. (2005). The sanity we are born with: A Buddhist approach to psychology. Boston: Shambhala. Washburn, M. (1998). The ego and the dynamic ground. Albany, NY: SUNY Press. Spiritual Practice Journal, due October 13. Spiritual practice is a key component of the course. Transpersonal psychology is optimally studied by those who are actively committed to a path of consciousness expansion and spiritual awakening. For this assignment you have two options. Both require focus and discipline; both offer opportunities for self-liberation through inner work. Option A: Pick a spiritual practice or mind-body discipline: meditation, yoga, chi gung, ecstatic dancing, chanting, shamanism, pranayama, holotropic breathwork, TM, vipassana, tantra, candle gazing, bodywork. Whatever you do, do it consistently for the next 8–10 weeks. Write about your inner experiences and awakenings in the light of the readings and class discussions. Option B: Read Ralph Metzner’s book, The unfolding self, one or two chapters per week. In highly evocative writing, this book describes 12 central metaphors of human transformation: From caterpillar to butterfly; awakening from the dream of reality; uncovering the veils of illusion; from captivity to liberation; purification by inner fire; from fragmentation to wholeness; reconciling with the inner enemy; on dying and being reborn; from darkness to light; integrating the inner wild animal; unfolding the tree of our life; journey to the place of vision and power; returning to the source. Pick several of these themes and discuss their relevance to your current spiritual evolution. This book provides rich material for journaling, self-inquiry, and self-realization. Final Exam and Research Paper, described below. Due December 8. Student Presentations Each week, one or two 10–15 minute time slots will be allotted for student presentations. This is a time to formulate your thoughts and express your creativity. You can present individually, or team up with another class member to collaborate on a joint 20–25 minute presentation. Presentations can include your personal response to one (or more) of the readings, describing whatever it evoked in you. September 1. Introduction to transpersonal psychology, and the historical and cultural factors contributing to its emergence. The inward and outward arcs of evolution. Reading: Instructor’s Notes on Stan Grof, Beyond the brain (Chapter 1). Instructor’s Notes on Frances Vaughan, The inward arc. Instructor’s Notes on Angeles Arrien, The fourfold way. September 8. The Great Ancestors: William James, the study of the stream of consciousness. Sigmund Freud, the study of dreams and their symbolism. Carl Jung, archetypes of the collective unconscious; synchronicity, psychology east and west. Reading: Bryan Wittine, “Beyond ego.” Robert Frager, “Transpersonal psychology: Promise and prospects.” Ronald Valle, “The emergence of transpersonal psychology.” Bruce Scotton, “Introduction and definition of transpersonal psychology.” Allan Chinen, “The emergence of transpersonal psychiatry.” Mark Epstein, “Freud’s influence on transpersonal psychology.” Bruce Scotton, “The contributions of C. G. Jung to transpersonal psychiatry.” Instructor’s Notes on Henri Ellenberger, The discovery of the unconscious. Optional reading: Glenn Hartelius, Marianna Caplan, M. A. Rardin, “Transpersonal psychology: Defining the past, divining the future.” ERES. Marianna Caplan, Glenn Hartelius, & M. A. Rardin, “Contemporary viewpoints on transpersonal psychology.” ERES Michael Daniels, “Approaching transpersonal psychology.” Shadow, self, spirit (pp. 11–38). Marcie Boucouvalas, “Transpersonal psychology: A working outline of the field.” ERES September 15. The Great Ancestors, II. Existential-humanistic psychology. Abraham Maslow, Anthony Sutich. Roberto Assagioli and Psychosynthesis. Reading: Roberto Assagioli, “Psychosynthesis: Height psychology—Discovering the self and the Self—an interview with Roberto Assagioli.” ERES J. R. Battista, “Abraham Maslow and Roberto Assagioli. Pioneers of transpersonal psychology.” ERES Psychosynthesis Techniques (in Reader): The Evening Review; Ideal Model Exercise; The Blossoming of the Rose; Exercise of “The Door”; Integration of Subpersonalities Through the Witness; Exercise in Disidentification and Self-Identification. Michael Daniels, “Maslow and self-actualization.” Shadow, self, spirit (pp. 115–29). Greg Bogart, “A brief introduction to existential psychology.” For further study: J. Firman, & A. Gila, Psychosynthesis: A psychology of the spirit. September 22. The Harvard connection: William James, Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert/Ram Dass, and Ralph Metzner. Psychedelics and
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