Narcissism – The shadow of transpersonal psychology
Transpersonal Psychology Review September 1, 2008 DOI: 10.53841/bpstran.2008.12.2.47 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that narcissism, in both grandiose and self-devaluing forms, functions as a spiritual defense mechanism and that transpersonal psychology may attract individuals with such tendencies. |
Abstract
Narcissism comes in two variants: Ego-inflation and the Moses complex. While the former is exhibited by pathological grandiosity, the latter is marked by excessive self-devaluation and lack of self-esteem. In group contexts, both are found in the symbiotic appearance of charismatic leaders and worshipping followers. Both are subtle forms of spiritual defense mechanisms against the true spiritual task of finding and transcending one’s ‘true’ self. Because of its specific topic, transpersonal psychology is particularly likely to attract people with narcissistic problems and one should be aware of this. Some practical implications are pointed out.