Psychological approach to transcendence

Psychological description of transcendence implies technological control by the individual of himself and his environment during the experience, this further implying information about threats and ways in which to meet them. Three possible dynamics are described, depending upon whether society, the self or the sensory environment assume precedence:< 1. [Bothersome child]

- [Biosocial consciousness, consciousness one]

. Social psychology would suggest a dynamic of psychological regression to characterize the experience, man being determined by society. The "real" world is that taken to be such by social consensus. Deviation from this reality is viewed as childlike fantasy, a regression to childish ways of dealing with reality, with divine powers seen as projections of the meaning of relationships with parents in the first years of life. Transcendent experience of the regressive type is seen as requiring therapy emphasizing re-socialization.

2. [Wise adult]

- [existential consciousness, consciousness two]

. From the viewpoint of ego psychology, the dynamic of transcendent experience is psychological progression, with man able to fulfil his potential as a self-actualizing person despite societal constraints. For example, Jung considered the inner world of fantasy as powerful and necessary as physical and social realities. Fantasy must be reckoned with, as must dying, death and rebirth. Transcendent experience of the progressive type brings shattering realization of the frailty and impermanence of physical existence and may lead to spiritual or religious experience independent of the individual's cultural or religious background. The goal of fulfilment of human potential is seen as a dying and rebirth process; transcendence is a peak experience which may permanently affect the person. The world is seen as good, beautiful and worthwhile, despite pain and suffering.

3. [Data processor]

- [transpersonal awareness, consciousness three]

. Dependence on the sensory environment assumes a dynamic of psychological alteration, as in perception and cognition psychology. Human sensory processing is likened to management of input to a computer. The senses are data reduction systems, screening out all but a particular range of data and habituating what is recovered. Psychological alteration (change in state of consciousness) arises during changes from the habitual sensory input to which it is not necessary to respond. When a practical system of habituated attention or perception is set aside or broken down, the result is transcendent experience of breaking down automatic response to new situations. The ego, simply an extension of the body, is discontinuous, an illusion; and during the moment of de-automatization there is transpersonal experience beyond the normal boundaries of ego, time and space - pure awareness.