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Transpersonal Psychology

Transpersonal psychology is well described as being the “branch of psychology that is concerned with transpersonal experiences and related phenomena, noting that "These phenomena include the causes, effects and correlates of transpersonal experiences, as well as the disciplines and practices inspired by them" (Walsh & Vaughan, 1993, p.203) 

The transpersonal aspects of psychology that provide a major focus for the HU program of study in holistic healing might more aptly be called Transformational Psychology.

Based on comprehensive considerations of ancient spiritual wisdom and both historical and contemporary psychology, Transformational Psychology seeks to present a focused understanding of those concepts and methodologies within a variety of spiritual energy medicine, and psychological disciplines that describe and support spiritual, on-going holistic human transformation. 

HU’s scholarly approach to knowledge and its experiential self-explorations are based on a study of the history of psychology with special emphasis on the pioneering concepts of Jung and other foundational transpersonal and humanistic pioneers such as Abraham Maslow and Roberto Assagioli, as well as on a recognition of the importance of intuition, astrology, archetypes, the ancient wisdom schools, and indigenous spiritual wisdom.

Transformational Psychology:  A focus on transformation provides an energy medicine and holistic healing “lens” from which to consider various schools of thought including the more contemporary Energy Psychology “power” therapies and contemporary somatic approaches.

Transformation aligns with the foundational premise that the whole lies, not within any particular concept, but within the aggregate.  It also supports goals to provide effective, innovative avenues for self-discovery and self-development.  HU programs emphasize the “discovery” allowing the “development” to follow naturally.

The word “transformation” is an operative word suggesting action and change that support an on-going evolutionary approach to psychology.  The human potential for transformation offers the promise of an evolutionary spiritual progression towards human individuation, self- actualization, integration, self-realization, and finally the universalizing ideal of enlightenment.  It is a progression that has linear aspects, but that tends to take place in multidimensional time and space, and that is probably best represented by a multi-dimensional spiral continuum.  Transformation supports the premise that we are here, in part, to transform and spiritualize the very substance of which we are made. Ann Nunley © 2008