Transpersonal Psychology and Social Cohesion: How Spiritual Practices Foster Unity in Modern Communities
Frontiers in Humanities and Social Research May 9, 2025 DOI: 10.71465/fhsr228 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3 |
| Population | Three anonymized UK clients aged 28-60, drawn from the author's practice |
| Interventions | Ericksonian hypnosis Reiki |
| Duration | 8-week program with weekly 60-minute sessions |
| Key findings | Participants in an 8-week program combining Ericksonian hypnosis with hypnotic nature imagery and Reiki energy balancing reported increased trust, community involvement, and belonging, and initiated activities such as gardening groups and support networks. The author argues transpersonal approaches can address gaps in social cohesion theory and reinvigorate community resilience, while noting the very small sample limits the strength of the findings. |
Abstract
This research aims to investigate the role of transpersonal psychology in underpinning social cohesion in contemporary communities subject to fragmentation, which results directly from urbanization and technology alienation [1]. The research utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to delve deeper into a hypothetical gap in social cohesion theories suffered by modern-day communities. This research utilizes Ericksonian hypnosis and Reiki practice as potential interventions addressing gaps within social cohesion theories. Critically evaluate the contribution of these psychologies in promoting social cohesion through qualitative analysis of three anonymized cases derived from the author’s UK clients (2022-2025, aged 28-60) who every week attended an 8-week prospective study program consisting of weekly sessions that were 60 minutes long and focused on hypnotic nature imagery and Reiki energy balancing. Findings reveal key outcomes: increased trust, community involvement, and belonging, with participants initiating activities like gardening groups and support networks. Grof has also contributed his work that supports the development of collective harmony in society through transcendent experiences [4]. This research enriches interdisciplinary fields because it links psychology and social sciences (social capital and ethical unity) while reflecting on the impairments of materialist paradigms. Although the scope of this study was small and thus the sample size not very strong, it provides a humanistically inspired perspective on disconnection within society. It also offers practical implications regarding community development programs and how transpersonal approaches can reinvigorate community resilience in contemporary times.