Selftranscendence and Ego Surrender A Quietenough Ego or

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Online Course with the author – Week 1 – David Hartman, LCSW The Wellness Graduate School of Psychology

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Self-transcendence is the expansion of our selfboundaries to connect with dimensions beyond the typically discernible world. This signals a direct appeal to one’s soul to awaken and engage.

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego How do we approach self-transcendence? Transpersonal psychology and therapy welcome the imminent and transcendent dimensions of human experience: • exceptional human functioning and achievements ü Pre-personal level ü transpersonal level

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego The imminent and transcendent dimensions of human experience Exceptional human functioning and achievements Higher meanings in life, moving beyond the limited boundaries of the ego to access an enhanced capacity for wisdom, creativity, unconditional love and compassion, spiritual connection. Pre-personal, and transpersonal levels

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego How do we approach such a task? Transpersonal psychology and therapy welcome the imminent and transcendent dimensions of human experience: • exceptional human functioning and achievements • the nature and meaning of deep spiritual and mystical experiences

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Deep spiritual and mystical experiences

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Deep spiritual and mystical experiences Transpersonal stages of development are based primarily on spiritual and mystical experiences described by Jung and both Western and Eastern spiritual traditions. For example, Eastern Orthodox mysticism holds that people fall into three spiritual age-groups: üthe ‘slaves’ of God (God as a punishing overlord) üthe ‘employees’ of God (exchange relationship) üthe ‘lovers’ of God (passionate love for God)

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego How do we approach such a task? Transpersonal psychology and therapy welcome the imminent and transcendent dimensions of human experience: • exceptional human functioning and achievements • the nature and meaning of deep spiritual and mystical experiences • non-ordinary states of consciousness

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Non-ordinary states of consciousness

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Non-ordinary states of consciousness Alterations in consciousness are not only sanctioned but are also deliberately fostered by virtually all indigenous groups. Bourguignon and Evascu read ethnographic descriptions of 488 different societies, finding that 89% were characterized by socially approved alterations of consciousness. Bourguignon, E. , & Evascu, T. (1977). Altered states of consciousness within a general evolutionary perspective: A holocultural analysis. Behavior Science Research, 12, 199 -216.

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego How do we approach such a task? Transpersonal psychology and therapy welcome the imminent and transcendent dimensions of human experience: • exceptional human functioning and achievements • the nature and meaning of deep spiritual and mystical experiences • non-ordinary states of consciousness • how to develop our highest potentials as human beings.

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Develop our highest potentials as human beings Self-actualization refers to the desire for selffulfillment, namely, to the tendency for a person to become actualized in what he/she is potentially. Transcending self-actualizing individuals exhibit “unitive perception, ” or the “fusion of the eternal with the temporal, the sacred with the profane. ” Ego surrender is the ego’s identification as being in subordinate relationship with the Transpersonal Self.

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Witness Consciousness One’s self-concept becomes increasingly transparent to itself, becoming both observer and observed, a witness to the dynamic flow of psychic events. This ‘witness consciousness’ and the selftranscendence upon which it is based are foundational ingredients of higher stages of human development.

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Witness Consciousness brings surrender

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Surrender One’s ego surrenders by quieting, acknowledging the rightful leadership of the ultimate organizing principle within, the Transpersonal Self. The quieting can follow the course of • balance, seeking a “quiet-enough ego”, or • growth, seeking an “ever-quieter ego. ”

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Surrender Either choice brings increasing tranquility. Paradoxically, an experience of ego surrender and of letting go increases an individual’s internal locus of control, the deep knowing that what happens to her/ him is a consequence of one’s own actions.

Self-transcendence and Ego Surrender A Quiet-enough Ego or an Ever-quieter Ego Comments, Questions and Answers