12 Apr Are Transpersonal Experiences Healing In and Of Themselves?
Some transpersonal scholars and theoreticians have viewed transpersonal experiences as inherently healing in and of themselves, regardless of modality or cultural context. Other definitions of transpersonal or exceptional human experiences (EHEs) do not include a transformative element, stating that healing may or may not be a byproduct. This paper will review definitions of transpersonal experiences and what it is about them that may constitute healing. Transpersonal experiences have been valued and used for healing purposes in most non-Western cultures as far back at least as recorded history and probably further. Western attitudes toward transpersonal experiences will be reviewed and contrasted with several non-Western culture’s viewpoints, including Indigenous, African, and Tibetan. Different modalities that report transpersonal experiences are investigated, including psychedelics, meditation, and sexuality. A number of transpersonal experiences are perceived by subjects as painful or frightening, and do not appear in the moment to be healing. With competent integration of the difficult transpersonal experience, healing may occur. Methods of integration to help integrate the difficult transpersonal experience so that it is healing in the long run are suggested from research review.
© 2023 Catherine Auman
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