Transpersonal States of Consciousness

Ed Geraty LCSW-C (MD) , LICSW (WV), LCSW (VA) , LICSW (DC) 

CEUs: Category 1 | 3.0 

The term transpersonal is generally used to refer to experiences, oftentimes called spiritual, usually occurring during altered states of consciousness, that shift the focus of attention "beyond the boundaries of ordinary ego-consciousness" The scientific field that studies these experiences is called transpersonal psychology. Stanislav Grof MD is the founder of the field of transpersonal psychology and a pioneering researcher into the use of altered states of consciousness for purposes of healing, growth, and insight. A spiritual emergency can arise when the self becomes disorganized and overwhelmed by an infusion of spiritual energies or new realms of experience which it is not yet able to integrate. This workshop will explore the typical types of transpersonal state experiences and how to respond to spiritual emergencies.

Workshop Objectives:

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Define transpersonal psychology
2. Understand the various types of transpersonal states of consciousness
3. Identify types of spiritual emergencies
   
4. Determine ways to assist clients experiencing spiritual emergencies.

Agenda:

30 min Intro and general overview 9 to 9:30

45 min Understand the various types of transpersonal states of consciousness 9:30 to 10:15

30 min Discussion of participants and /or client transpersonal experiences 10:15 to 10:45

15 min break 10:45 to 11

30 mins Understanding and identifying spiritual emergencies 11 to 11:30

45 mins Assisting clients with spiritual emergencies 11:30 to 12:15

15 mins Wrap up/closure 12:15 to 12:30

Recommended Reading:

• Man and His Symbols by C.G. Jung
• The Spectrum of Consciousness by Ken Wilber
• Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes Crisis by Stanislav Grof
• The Inward Arc: Healing in Psychotherapy and Spirituality by Frances E. Vaughan
• Psychotherapy and Spirit: Theory and Practice in Transpersonal Psychotherapy (Suny Series, Philosophy of Psychology) by Brant Cortright