From trauma to transcendence: Clinical perspectives on an evolutionary process.
Janet Elizabeth Colli
Journal of Near-Death Studies 2014 DOI: 10.17514/jnds-2014-33-2-p99-110 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that trauma and dissociation can play a decisive role in initiating spiritual experience, with transformational crises and spiritually transformative experiences arising in contexts of trauma, illness, and mental disorders. Proposes that such growth may be a natural evolutionary process in which dissociation serves as a defense mechanism, and introduces the concept of "functional dissociation" to bridge clinical and transpersonal psychology. |
Abstract
Abstract: Trauma and dissociation play a decisive role in initiating spiritual experience. This article explores transformational crises and spiritually transformative experiences (STEs) that occur within the context of trauma, physical illness, and mental disorders. Such growth or transformation may be a natural evolutionary process, in which the defense mechanism of dissociation plays a part. Consciousness is challenged to transform when one's ego identity and defenses are threatened. Ultimately, one may arrive at a radically re-ordered conceptual framework and higher-order functioning. Acknowledgement of this evolutionary dynamic may serve as a bridge between two fields: clinical psychology, with its expertise regarding the effects of trauma, notably dissociative states, and transpersonal psychology, with its expertise regarding transformational processes. Research from both fields is explored, as well as case examples from the author's biography, her clinical practice, and the collective. The concept of functional dissociation is introduced, and clinical considerations are addressed.