This a page where I can show you some useful information, sites and links related to psychotherapy and a few other things I am interested in. I have recently checked all these links still work and have added a few more.
Transpersonal Psychology
Transpersonal psychology is a school of psychology that studies the transpersonal, the transcendent or spiritual aspects of the human psyche. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology describes transpersonal psychology as "the study of humanity’s highest potential, and with the recognition, understanding, and realisation of unitive, spiritual, and transcendent states of consciousness". Issues considered in transpersonal psychology include spiritual self-development, peak experiences, mystical experiences, systemic trance and other metaphysical experiences of living.
Transpersonal psychologists see the school as a companion to other schools of psychology that include psychoanalysis, behaviourism, and humanistic psychology. Transpersonal psychology attempts to unify modern psychology theory with frameworks from different forms of mysticism and spirituality. These vary greatly depending on the origin but include religious conversion, altered states of consciousness, trance and other spiritual practices. While Carl Jung and others have explored aspects of the spiritual and transpersonal in their work, transpersonal psychology for the most part has been overlooked by psychologists who are focused on the personal and developmental aspects of the human psyche.
Transpersonal Psychotherapy
Transpersonal Psychotherapy focuses on the Essential Self. The word "transpersonal" comes from the Latin "trans," meaning beyond and through, and "persona," meaning mask or personality. Transpersonal therapy is truly holistic, encompassing all levels of human experience, including the spiritual. Transpersonal psychology draws its methodology from the spiritual traditions of the world, including eastern philosophies such as Buddhism, Indian Yoga, and Western Contemplative traditions, and integrates them with contemporary psychology.
In transpersonal therapy, it is essential that the therapist recognises he/they are equal to the client and in fact, on the level of pure consciousness, there is no separation between them. This shift in ideology changes the whole nature of the therapy. The therapist is not in a superior position to the client, and listens with suspended judgment and an attitude of deep respect. While each person has their own thoughts and beliefs and feelings, their experiences cannot be completely separate. The consciousness of one has a direct impact on that of the other. It is in that shared consciousness, where true empathy and insight can take place for both therapist and client. While it is still important at times for the therapist to be discriminating and analytical, the primary mode of being with the client is with an attitude of open mindedness, wonder and innocence, (what is referred to as "beginners mind" in Zen Buddhism). It is as if everything that is said, and felt, and thought, was for the first time ever. The therapist strives to be completely present, and "authentic," and teaches the client to do the same. Both aspire to be self-aware, honest, and "real." This makes for a powerful therapeutic relationship in which healing and growth can take place.
Psychosynthesis
Psychosynthesis is a uniquely synthetic approach to psychology developed by the Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli, M.D. Although it has points in common with Humanistic psychology, Transpersonal psychology, and Existential psychology; the emphasis in Psychosynthesis is on the possibility of progressive integration of the personality around its own essential Self through the use of the will. To this end, Psychosynthesis uses a number of specifically designed psychological training methods and techniques.
Psychosynthesis in New Zealand
Until fairly recently the Auckland Institute of Psychosynthesis was the major training organisation for Psychosynthesis in New Zealand. Unfortunately this Institute is no longer providing training in Psychosynthesis. To fill the gap, a new organisation named Psychosynthesis South Pacific has been formed with the objective of providing training in Psychosynthesis in New Zealand. This organisation has its own web page as you can see in the side bar. Please visit this if you are interested in training in Psychosynthesis. There is now also a professional organisation for people with training in Psychosynthesis and this is Panza. Again the Panza Web site is on the side bar.
Transpersonal Psychology
Transpersonal psychology is a school of psychology that studies the transpersonal, the transcendent or spiritual aspects of the human psyche. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology describes transpersonal psychology as "the study of humanity’s highest potential, and with the recognition, understanding, and realisation of unitive, spiritual, and transcendent states of consciousness". Issues considered in transpersonal psychology include spiritual self-development, peak experiences, mystical experiences, systemic trance and other metaphysical experiences of living.
Transpersonal psychologists see the school as a companion to other schools of psychology that include psychoanalysis, behaviourism, and humanistic psychology. Transpersonal psychology attempts to unify modern psychology theory with frameworks from different forms of mysticism and spirituality. These vary greatly depending on the origin but include religious conversion, altered states of consciousness, trance and other spiritual practices. While Carl Jung and others have explored aspects of the spiritual and transpersonal in their work, transpersonal psychology for the most part has been overlooked by psychologists who are focused on the personal and developmental aspects of the human psyche.
Transpersonal Psychotherapy
Transpersonal Psychotherapy focuses on the Essential Self. The word "transpersonal" comes from the Latin "trans," meaning beyond and through, and "persona," meaning mask or personality. Transpersonal therapy is truly holistic, encompassing all levels of human experience, including the spiritual. Transpersonal psychology draws its methodology from the spiritual traditions of the world, including eastern philosophies such as Buddhism, Indian Yoga, and Western Contemplative traditions, and integrates them with contemporary psychology.
In transpersonal therapy, it is essential that the therapist recognises he/they are equal to the client and in fact, on the level of pure consciousness, there is no separation between them. This shift in ideology changes the whole nature of the therapy. The therapist is not in a superior position to the client, and listens with suspended judgment and an attitude of deep respect. While each person has their own thoughts and beliefs and feelings, their experiences cannot be completely separate. The consciousness of one has a direct impact on that of the other. It is in that shared consciousness, where true empathy and insight can take place for both therapist and client. While it is still important at times for the therapist to be discriminating and analytical, the primary mode of being with the client is with an attitude of open mindedness, wonder and innocence, (what is referred to as "beginners mind" in Zen Buddhism). It is as if everything that is said, and felt, and thought, was for the first time ever. The therapist strives to be completely present, and "authentic," and teaches the client to do the same. Both aspire to be self-aware, honest, and "real." This makes for a powerful therapeutic relationship in which healing and growth can take place.
Psychosynthesis
Psychosynthesis is a uniquely synthetic approach to psychology developed by the Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli, M.D. Although it has points in common with Humanistic psychology, Transpersonal psychology, and Existential psychology; the emphasis in Psychosynthesis is on the possibility of progressive integration of the personality around its own essential Self through the use of the will. To this end, Psychosynthesis uses a number of specifically designed psychological training methods and techniques.
Psychosynthesis in New Zealand
Until fairly recently the Auckland Institute of Psychosynthesis was the major training organisation for Psychosynthesis in New Zealand. Unfortunately this Institute is no longer providing training in Psychosynthesis. To fill the gap, a new organisation named Psychosynthesis South Pacific has been formed with the objective of providing training in Psychosynthesis in New Zealand. This organisation has its own web page as you can see in the side bar. Please visit this if you are interested in training in Psychosynthesis. There is now also a professional organisation for people with training in Psychosynthesis and this is Panza. Again the Panza Web site is on the side bar.