Transpersonal psychology as critical/radical psychology

Transpersonal Psychology, though called the 'Fourth Force,' is often marginalized in mainstream psychology due to its focus on mystical, spiritual, and non-ordinary states of consciousness and its emphasis on subjective inquiry. Rather than assimilating into conventional paradigms, the field should embrace its outsider status to pioneer inclusive research methods and interdisciplinary encounters. Contemporary humanistic expressions of Eastern wisdom traditions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism) increasingly stress ecological awareness, the Divine Feminine, and spiritually informed social justice. To avoid remoteness and spiritual bypassing, transpersonal psychologists must attend to political and socioeconomic conditions. The keynote argues that transpersonal psychology has always been a critical, radical approach capable of reinvigorating, re-enchanting, transforming, and transcending psychology.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Editor’s note: this article is a summary of the Keynote at the Section Annual Conference Transpersonal Activism on 12 September 2021.Despite its designation as the ‘Fourth Force,’ Transpersonal Psychology often occupies a peripheral and precarious place within mainstream Psychological approaches. Its historic focus on mystical/spiritual and non-ordinary states of consciousness, coupled with its continued emphasis on subjective and experiential inquiry, have often led to it being excluded in favour of more materialist, positivistic paradigms that currently dominate the discipline. Rather than attempt to simply adapt and assimilate into more mainstream, conventional forms of Psychology, Transpersonal Psychology has a unique opportunity to actively embrace its otherness and outsider status; to pursue authentic interdisciplinary encounters and pioneer more inclusive and radical approaches to research methods. In contemporary Humanistic and Engaged expressions of Eastern Wisdom Traditions (specifically Hinduism, Buddhism and Daoism) one may observe the increasing emphasis on ecological awareness, recovery of the Divine Feminine and more spiritually informed approaches to social justice. To avoid accusations of remoteness, solipsism and spiritual bypassing, Transpersonal Psychologists also need to better attend and creatively respond to prevailing political and socioeconomic conditions. In this keynote I will demonstrate how Transpersonal Psychology has at its heart, always constituted a critical/radical approach to Psychology and still retains the capacity to reinvigorate, re-enchant, transform and transcend.