The Essence of Transpersonal Psychology Contemporary Views
S. I. Shapiro, Grace W. Lee, Philippe L. Gross
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 2002 DOI: 10.24972/ijts.2002.21.1.19 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Thematic analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | 80 chronologically ordered passages from contemporary psychology literature |
| Citations | 20 |
| Key points | Thematic analysis of 80 passages shows the two most frequent themes defining transpersonal psychology are going beyond or transcending the individual ego or self (66.2%) and spirituality or psychospiritual development (61.2%). The authors argue that transpersonal psychology is a Western formulation that transcends and includes Western behavioral sciences. |
Abstract
The authors compiled 80 chronologically ordered passages from the contemporary psychology literature that address the essence of transpersonal psychology.A thematic analysis of these passages revealed that the two most frequent categories, occurring 53 (66.2%) and 49 (61.2%) times respectively, were: (a) Going beyond or transcending the individual, ego, self, the personal, personality, or personal identity; existence of a deeper, true, or authentic Self; and (b) Spirituality, psychospiritual, psychospiritual development, the spiritual, spirit.Other, less frequent, themes included: special states of consciousness; interconnectivity/unity; going beyond other schools of psychology; emphasis on a scientific approach; mysticism; full range of consciousness; greater potential; inclusion of non-Western psychologies; meditation; and existence of a wider reality.1. Transpersonal psychology is a Western formulation which transcends and includes all of the Western behavioural sciences.In encouraging the notion of "going beyond" and "more than," transpersonal psychology
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Transpersonal psychology: Defining the past, divining the future. The Humanistic Psychologist 2007
- The Challenges, Prospects, and Promise of Transpersonal Psychology International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 2007
- What can we learn from shamans’ dreaming? A cross-cultural exploration. Dreaming December 1, 2014
- The Art of Transformation: Exploring the Heuristic Power of a Contemplative Arts-Based Method Piloted in a Workshop for Women Living With HIV Journal of Transformative Education July 20, 2026
- Filipino Psychology Is a Transpersonal Psychology Journal of Humanistic Psychology March 13, 2025
and 3 more in the library