01 Mar Transpersonal Psychology: Further Developments
Listed out like this, the very idea of a descending and inferior line development appears absurd to the postmodern sensibility. This schemata was assured to crack, and crack it did with the introduction of Jorge Ferrer’s (2002) seminal work, Revisioning transpersonal theory: a participatory vision of human spirituality. Wilber later revised his theory, creating a new AQAL system that claimed not to privilege one theory over another, but of course it still does.
Daniels (2015) also contributed to the broadening of the original theory by his introduction of a third line or as he calls it a vector: the extending line. This line adds (p. 36) breadth, participation, compassion, charity, love, humanism, people, and the world. The path of human personal and spiritual development also includes extending out into the world. This vector includes all traditions that value increasing love and service in the world, social justice efforts, the bodhisattva ideal of working for the enlightenment of all instead of oneself, and of avoiding the spiritual narcissism that is inherent in too much self-focus. Daniels states that all three vectors must be included for a truly integral spirituality.
Daniels, M. (2021). Shadow, self, spirit revised edition: Essays in transpersonal psychology. Charlottesville, VA: Imprint Academic.
Ferrer, J. (2002). Revisioning transpersonal theory. A participatory vision of human spirituality. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.
Wilber, K. (1977). The Spectrum of Consciousness. Quest Books
Wilber, K. (1979). No Boundary. Shambhala Publications, Inc.
© 2023 Catherine Auman
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