Wilber's Spectrum Model of Transpersonal Psychology and Its Application to Music Therapy
Music Therapy 1996 DOI: 10.1093/mt/14.1.9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 9 |
| Key points | Argues that Wilber's Spectrum of Consciousness provides a framework in which levels of consciousness correspond to different senses of identity, from egocentricity to cosmic consciousness, and that psychotherapeutic approaches addressing each level are complementary rather than oppositional. Contends the model is useful in music therapy because it accounts for the expansion of consciousness and the journey toward wholeness and can accommodate all the ways music therapy affects clients. |
Abstract
There are many models for understanding transpersonal experience and transpersonal psychology (Walsh & Vaughan, 1993). One of these, Wilber's Spectrum of Consciousness (1977) is explored in this article. This model provides a framework for understanding various levels of consciousness. Each level is associated with a particular sense of identity, ranging from narrow egocentricity to cosmic consciousness (Walsh & Vaughan, 1993). Wilber's model also shows how different psychotherapeutic approaches address a client's need at each level and can therefore be seen as complementary rather than oppositional. It is useful in music therapy practice not only because it provides a theoretical model for the expansion of consciousness and the journey toward wholeness, but also because it can accommodate all of the ways in which music therapy can impact a client. Excerpts from a case study are included to illustrate how music therapy addresses various levels of the Spectrum of Consciousness.