Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychologies

Paper Summary:

This paper compares and contrasts the roots and goals of existential-humanistic psychology and transpersonal psychology. The author describes why the theories are fundamentally different, by illustrating the basic principles of each outlook. The historic roots of each theory are described. The author concludes that a belief that people are afraid of non-existence in existential psychology contrasts with the goals that transpersonal psychologies seek in their states of "collective unconscious" or deep meditation, where one transcends the earthly, human body and moves into a state of uniting with the entire universe.

From the Paper:

"The Transpersonal Psychologies find their similarities in their approach to the body-mind relationships and transformation. Essentially they believe that the mind controls the body and if you can put your mind at peace, the body will respond. Based on the work of Carl Jung, who first coined the term "transpersonal" (uberpersonlich) in the phrase "transpersonal unconscious" which he used as a synonym for his well-known "collective unconscious," it refers to the human condition as essentially healthy and full of potential, not as ill and diseased (Schneider,2004)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cortright, B. (1997). Psychotherapy and spirit: Theory and practice in transpersonal psychology. New York: State University of New York Press.
• Daniels, M. (2005). Shadow, self, spirit: Essays in transpersonal psychology. Charlottesville, VA: Imprint Academic.
• May, R. (1969) Love and Will, New York: W.W. Norton & Co., Inc.
• Sartre, J. P. (1956). Being and nothingness (H. E. Barnes, Trans.). New York: Washington Square Press.
• Sartre, J. P. (1965). Essays in existentialism (W. Baskin, Ed. & Trans.). New York: Citadel Press.

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