Transpersonal phenomenology: The cosmological and spiritual dimensions of the Husserlian epoché

The phenomenologist Edmund Husserl's methods, though not originally aimed at transpersonal experiences, can be applied to them. Husserl argued that science must be grounded in the study of perception to distinguish elements of experience originating from the environment from those projected by the mind. His techniques of reduction and epoché, which help achieve a 'phenomenological attitude', are explained. The relevance of these methods to transpersonal studies is demonstrated through examples: the Taylor-Hartelius debate in transpersonal psychology and the study of absorption states in transpersonal anthropology and cross-cultural religion.

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Abstract

Although phenomenologist Edmund Husserl’s project was not directed at transpersonal experiences, his methods are nevertheless applicable in a profound and effective way. We explore Husserl’s project and its methods for their relevance to transpersonal studies. Husserl laid out the proposition that science, including psychology, must be grounded in the study of perception, which after all is the source of all data of interest to the sciences. He held that until the essential structures of experience are laid bare, scientists have no idea of which elements of experience come from the environing world (Umwelt) and which are projected by the cognizing mind upon the world. His methods of reduction and epoché are explored and rudimentary steps toward realizing the ‘phenomenological attitude’ are defined. Once we are clear about how Husserlian phenomenology is actually accomplished, we turn to its relevance to transpersonal studies, offering examples first by applying them to the Taylor-Hartelius debate in transpersonal psychology, and then to the issue of absorption states in transpersonal anthropology and the study of the roots of religion cross-culturally.