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Theory and Design in Counseling and Psychotherapy
Susan X Day , Iowa State University and University of Houston
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CHAPTER 12: Transpersonal Development
Chapter Review
Transpersonal counseling seeks to expand the client's awareness of self to a developmental stage beyond establishing ego strength. Borrowing from Eastern traditions, a personal sense of self is considered merely the result of mental constructions that block an awareness of the divine within all living things and of the interdependent unity of all life. Life is seen as transient, happening from moment to moment in a flow that denies a rigidity of uniform patterns that never change, including a personality structure known as "me" or "I." A greater Self, the individual in relation to a universal consciousness, builds awareness beyond the personal through practices that encourage letting go of self-absorbing thoughts and feelings. An expanded awareness comes to a sense of well-being, compassion for others, and an acceptance of reality for what it is, without the resistance that things need to be as the individual defines them to be.
The goal of spirituality in transpersonal psychology is to transcend or rise above a focus on daily activities and the mental chatter typically cluttering the mind. Meditation concentrates the mind's attention to the breath as it flows into the body and moves out of the lungs. The rhythm of breathing mimics an exchange from the external to the internal and from the internal back to the external, as in the concept of universal life and flow. The concentration of attention is interrupted by distracting thoughts and feelings, but as the meditator notes the interference, he gently returns attention to focus on the breath. Many forms of concentrated attention vary across meditation practices, sometimes focusing on a mantra, or an emotion, or a particular insight. The purpose of concentration practice is to learn to manage the distractions and to free the mind from negative habits. The self-absorbed mind clings to personal preferences and concepts in a process called attachment; or the undisciplined mind rejects what it defines as negative in a habit called aversion; or the mind craves positive experiences in an addictive process. Delusions define the self and reality according to personal fantasies or to polarities that project mirror image opposites onto what actually is. With concentrated attention, the meditator recognizes the mind's distortions and is able to let go of the self's negative thinking patterns and to loosen emotional demands. Disidentification refers to the releasing impact that occurs when observing the workings of the mind. The meditative observer is no longer identified with the mind's attachments. An internal life without the capacity to redirect its attention is considered the cause of human suffering and the source of many psychological problems. With mindfulness, the practitioner can set aside the negative habits of the mind and be open to a full experience of what actually is present in the moment. External reality can be viewed in all its beauty, others can be seen with compassion, the limited self can gain perspective, and blocks to experience can be removed.
Several forms of yoga stem from the same meditative traditions. Hatha-yoga practices gentle exercises that position the body in stances called asanas. Asanas open the flow of vital energies, or pranas, and reformulate internal blocks. Raja-yoga practice includes motionless body positions and meditation. Karma is what is left after a person has acted-for good or for ill. Karma-yoga emphasizes positive behavior that will return good will for the practitioner.
Specific therapies developed in Japan construct a series of activities designed to help clients move away from self-absorbed living toward constructive living. Morita therapy establishes a routine of journal writing to record neurotic thoughts and perceptions and a regime of performing tasks no matter what one's personal reactions are. Simple tasks are assigned at first and gradually the demands are increased. Feedback from teachers encourages focusing on the doing and on gaining joy from small accomplishments and events. Support is also gained from small group discussions. Over time, clients learn to react within the context of task completion and to redirect their focus from self-constructed views. Naikan therapy requires clients to review their relationships and to recognize what others have done for them, how they returned the kindnesses, and how they inconvenienced others. In facing their own inconsiderate behavior, without focusing on the flaws of others, clients develop loving kindness.
Critiques of transpersonal approaches confuse the discipline of focusing attention with mysticism, and the direction away from the self as promoting ego dissolution. The spiritual experience of concentrated attention can be integrated with most religions. The approach is generally confined to clients who have established ego strength and who seek a constructive life.
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