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Adversarial Collaboration: How Free and Open Debate Leads to Better Transpersonal Ideas (Editor\u27s Introduction)
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Moving Beyond Materialism: Can Transpersonal Psychology Contribute to Cultural Transformation?
Get PDFThe issue of whether it is possible to separate science and metaphysics is discussed, with reference to William James and the writings of quantum physicists. The metaphysical framework of scientific materialism is analysed and some of its key assumptions are identified. It is suggested that these assumptions are becoming increasingly untenable, as is evident by the advocacy of post-materialist science by some contemporary scientists. The main appeal of transpersonal psychology to students and practitioners is arguably its lack of allegiance to a materialist metaphysics. Rather than allying itself to the metaphysical paradigm of naturalistic science or attempting to bracket out metaphysics, transpersonal psychology should operate openly within the framework of post-materialistic science. Rather than distancing itself from areas such as near-death studies and parapsychology, it should embrace and cooperate with them, sharing the same post-materialist perspective. Transpersonal psychology should not attempt to reduce itself to fit into mainstream psychology but to try expand mainstream psychology to include its concerns and principles. In a laudable attempt to pursue a more scientific approach, some transpersonal theorists have arguably swung too extremely away from essentialism/perennialism and metaphysics. It is hoped that a more balanced approach may be found, incorporating more nuanced and phenomenological forms of perennialism, and more cautious metaphysical claims
The Relevance of Transformative Body Practices to Diversity and Social Change: An experiential workshop
No full textThe original motivations for creating the field of Somatics are easy to forget in the understandable pressures to meet the enormous needs of suffering people in our own neighborhoods and to earn a living doing so. But the originating intentions of the founders was to address the collective pathologies of our histories, recognizing the potentials for profound social change inherent in the widespread cultivation of the wisdom of the body, through intentional practices of breathing, touch, sensing, moving, tasting, and other methods of entering the vast interior worlds of our earthy being. In this presentation, there will be an elucidation of this history and an account of how this vision address issues of diversity. The afternoon session will be a longer introduction to these themes. Both sessions represent a new stage within the Somatics program to craft a practice that works with various groups in the world to bring about shifts in the social pathologies
Diverse Voices of Women’s Spirituality
No full textOur panel of four women\u27s spirituality scholars will attempt to redress the suppression of the divine feminine and its connection to women\u27s oppression and environmental devastation. Women are half of the world’s population, yet are disproportionately underrepresented in the world’s religions and political institutions -- and this has had dire consequences for women, children, and our world. Women’s contributions have been diminished or excised in sacred texts, which has lowered women\u27s status throughout history. Feminine contributions and experiences must be reclaimed and restored so that women will be respected in their full humanity. We will explore the urgent need for women\u27s spiritual leadership to both create inclusive social structures for all people, particularly the marginalized; and heal our poisoned planet. We believe that significant positive global transformation can occur through the leadership of women from diverse spiritual and religious traditions around the world. We represent a range of spiritual identities – including Hindu, Goddessian, Freethinking, and Religious Naturalist – each working to create community, cultural, and ecological change. Each panelist will offer her story as a thread to weave into a new, Earth-centric, collaborative, inclusive narrative, as we express our aspirations for a socially just, environmentally sustainable, and peaceful planet
Spirituality and Social Justice: An Integral View
No full textIn this roundtable, we invite participants to collectively envision how spirituality and social justice can come together to address our current world challenges. We will draw upon integral methods of imagination, deep listening, and open-hearted awareness to create a space of creativity and reflection. This transformative dialogue will allow participants to deepen their understanding of how individual, societal, and global change are connected
An Analysis of the Experiences and Integration of Transpersonal Phenomena Induced by Electronic Dance Music Events
Get PDFElectronic dance music (EDM) events are attended by millions of people all over the world. While prior research uncovered the spiritual and religious elements as well as the transpersonal nature of EDM events, this preliminary study further explored the types of transpersonal phenomena that participants experience at EDM events and their subsequent integration of these experiences into daily life. A semi-structured, in-depth interview was used to explore this topic with 12 EDM participants. A thematic analysis was conducted on the data. Findings suggested that EDM events have the potential to foster interpersonal relationships with the numinous, spiritual beings, and human beings, as well as cause transformative intrapersonal and spiritual experiences, implying an enhancement in psychological and physical health and wellbeing in day-to-day life. Results also indicated that the EDM event environment, dancing, and electronic dance music play important roles in facilitating the induction of experiences of transpersonal phenomena
Retrieving Realism: A Whiteheadian Wager
Get PDFThis essay argues that the organic realism of Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947) provides a viable alternative to anti-realist tendencies in modern and postmodern philosophy since Descartes. The metaphysical merits of Whitehead’s philosophy of organism are unpacked in conversation with Hubert Dreyfus and Charles Taylor’s recent book Retrieving Realism (2015). Like Dreyfus and Taylor, Whitehead’s philosophical project was motivated by a desire to heal the modern epistemic wound separating soul from world in order to put human consciousness back into meaningful contact with reality. While Dreyfus and Taylor’s book succeeds in articulating the problem cogently, its still too phenomenological answer remains ontologically unsatisfying. Whitehead’s process-relational approach invites philosophy to move closer to a real solution
