Moving "beyond the mask" with Transpersonal Psychology: Take 1

Transpersonal psychology is a multicultural bridge into the unknown - allowing for unity and an integrative balance of duality and non-duality between all people, all species, and all levels of awareness. As a field of study, it blends psychology and spirituality - giving it a holistic approach that can be translated to “human consciousness studying itself” (Drury, 1989).
Personally, spirituality remains to be a sacred experience, a visceral initiation into the mysterious, and a portal to the wisdom of our inherent “truth” within and beyond understanding. To describe this truth, this sense of self that transcends self, seems paradoxical to language. However, transpersonal psychology extends itself to reaching a framework of conception that constitutes a universal understanding that we, as a western culture, can relate to. For this reason, transpersonal psychology is able to address issues that arise from the comparisons of religious, spiritual, and scientific views (to include psychology).
A core principle of transpersonal psychology is practice. Through meditation, shamanic journeys, ritual, wilderness rites of passages, psychedelics, visionary work, and other contemplative practices, transpersonal psychology pushes the envelope in terms of what is “real” or not - and applies reason to what is not, necessarily, reasonable. Although the roots of such practices stem from various world religions, spiritual, and wisdom traditions, when taken into a scientific account, desires and what is “attainable” become a logo for who we are and who we are becoming as a whole. Looking at life and human consciousness through a non-linear and non-dualistic lens and “digesting” experience as a part of a larger world-view brings a new perspective, a perspective that reaches beyond the personal, to the field of psychology and science.
I will say that my full embodiment of the subject is qualitatively limited. Without the research of such experiences that “rise above” our limited perceptions in this world, what is perceived as “real” will be summoned by the scientific realms of quantitative “control.” Thus, an innovative approach of methodological pluralism, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods, introduces a new way of thinking to our culture - and what manifests from the research, dialogue, and practice presented becomes an avenue for self-discovery and, ultimately, self-transcendence.
Since transpersonal psychology is still in its evolutionary process of unfolding, there are still questions, perhaps even disagreements, as to whether it is a science, philosophical pursuit, or a new way of “being” in this world (or at least in our western culture). I look at it as an exploration and path to our pursuit of happiness, to our deepest desires extending beyond desire itself, yet honoring human necessity in the process. Although there is still work to be done, my hope is that transpersonal psychology will, one day, support human consciousness to rise above the study of itself and transcend into a collective way of living “beyond the mask.”

References
Davis, J. (2003). An overview of transpersonal psychology. The Humanistic Psychologist, 31(2-
3), 6-21.
Davis, J. (2009). Complementary research methods in humanistic and transpersonal
psychology: A case for methodological pluralism. The Humanistic Psychologist, 37, 4-23.
Drury, N. (1989). Vision quest: A personal Journey through magic and shamanism (pp.
19-24). Bridport, Great Britain: Prism Press.

The Unification of that which is Beyond and that which is Within

The more I integrate both Ecopsychology and Transpersonal psychology into my body, heart and mind, the more I realize how close both are related to each other and to my life, as a whole. There really is this sense of non-duality that exists. When I am outside and feeling the elements, I recognize the intensity of my own subjective experience within the moment. With this first real snow storm and being in the mountains, my awareness heightens knowing the edge of living in this high of an elevation is both magnificent in its intensity and possibly dangerous, the same. I find the Earth, the weather, the elemental factors of nature, teaching me how to "live" in the moment. This is a bridge I see of TP and EP. I am here...tending the fire - constant, mindful, aware that it brings comfort but that it has the potential to get out of control if my awareness is not centered in this "practice" this "tending" process. There is a primal feature, to me, that exists in hauling, chopping, and creating my own fire. I have the option of turning on the natural gas heater. Easy as one two three. But knowing how this fire tends to me as I to it is a connection that brings reciprocal caring forth. My daughter and I thank the wood before we place it into the wood burning stove - for giving it's life to preserve ours and to keep us warm. This warmth brings a certain feeling of satisfaction and relaxation. I find that I can meditate with greater ease on winter days, with fire burning and cold winds blowing against the windows.
The weather is changing and with each change, a "new" feeling births within me. Winter brings deeper contemplation, going within more, tending my own inner fires and setting intentions of a primal care-taking role. I watch my daughter as a mama deer would with her own young... entering a white landscape - open to the elements, wind blowing fiercely against her young skin. I bundle her and tell her to watch the slippery ground, follow the other kids and to pack her layers. Protection feels primitive in a way during the winter. The summer, I let her run and be free(er) because it (feels) less dangerous. I look at ecopsychology as bringing me closer to my innate feelings, my natural senses and to a deeper place of living within and without of my Self. There is an edge to nature that I am drawn to because it, literally, "wake me up." As the cold wind keeps me awake in the moment so does the warm stove within my heart. I do not believe they are separate, at this point. And I, clearly, see and experience that I, too, am not separate either.

bowing by the fire,
Tatiana

Let Go

You do not need to force anything. Everything has its divine timing. Your love will manifest as love does. Keep all other “answers” at bay. Bring your light into the world – starting with your own breath. Bring your awareness to Center – find us in your “being.” Find your heart in your hands offered to the world as a breathing amulet of Trust.
In moments where there is disgrace in this world it is not a time to forget to love yourself. Pack your mind into your heart, place your heart into your palms, reach your arms to Heaven and find a sacred identity that exists beyond the ego of Self. Here, we serve to serve...selfless and in communication with all that lives. Today exists only for today. Tomorrow is not a common practice. Nor is yesterday. Your practice is to live in the moment – void of self-induced suffering. Leave all of your worries to the Higher Realms, to US, and you will find Peace in your world. You will find Peace in your Self.
Practice letting go of control and then let go completely! Do not look back. Your path moves, freely, in a direction that only your 6th sense can follow. Follow it. Hone your skills and listen to the subtleties in the wind, from all directions and mostly – from within.
Blessings are upon you. Raise your head and breathe the ever-flowing blood of life through your body – through the world.