Transpersonal Psychology is a particular field of Psychology that is interested in the nature of spiritual connections to a higher power. Transpersonal Psychology often supports people who may be experiencing a spiritual crisis or symptoms of psychosis. This also includes people who experience ‘transcendent’ states, or exist on a ‘higher plane.’ In these states, thought processes transcend normal functioning and shift from the rational to the metaphysical. However, many Psychologists fail to understand the difference between spiritual emergence, spiritual emergency and psychosis.

Impacts of a spiritual emergence

Psychologists in the field of transpersonal psychology often describe two separate ways in which a person may come to transcendence. The first of these is called a ‘spiritual emergence.’ This describes a fluid transition from standard thinking to a higher plane of thinking. It is often a gradual, organic change, that blends in with a person’s worldview in a way that expands their understanding of the world and their place within it. The second way a person may come to transcendence is through a ‘spiritual emergency.’ In this scenario, the change is dramatic and challenging, often threatening a person’s worldview and can have negative impacts on well-being. 

What is a mental health crisis or psychosis?

Often, these spiritual emergency experiences are mistaken or confused for a mental health crisis or psychosis, due to the similarity in symptoms. Behaviours and thought patterns expressed during spiritual emergencies and psychosis exemplify a loss of rational thought. Such symptoms include disorganised behaviours, irrational or confused speech patterns, and significant alterations in the way they view themselves and their place in the world. People often shift priorities from everyday concerns to other, less ordinary concerns, and an altered perception of time.

Spiritual emergence/emergency is often accompanied by feelings of compassion

A different logical state exists in people experiencing a spiritual emergency or a psychotic episode. Standard thinking patterns may be replaced by a new way of thinking which seems very abnormal to the standard consciousness. Emotional responses, too, are altered in spiritual emergencies and psychosis. Individuals in these states may experience very intense emotions or no emotions at all, but often at inappropriate times. These feelings may progress to either an expansion of the sense of self, believing they are more than a physical body to a spiritual being or may be accompanied by a complete loss of identity.

Spiritual experiences are often accompanied by feelings of compassion, which may remain with a person after they return to their standard state of being. A spiritual emergency is also often accompanied by a deeply spiritual component, including experiences of death and rebirth, encounters with supernatural beings and feelings of unity with the universe.

The importance of integrating mind, body and spirit

With so many overlapping symptoms, it is easy for Psychologists to confuse a spiritual emergency for an episode of psychosis. There is some suggestion that the reason behind this confusion is because of an over-rationalised attitude in Western medicine and psychology. Many Western practitioners believe these transcendent states are the result of drug-induced delusion or a serious mental health condition. These beliefs can result in the inappropriate diagnosis of psychosis or other mental health crises.

The concept of several layers to consciousness is easily accepted by Eastern medicine and psychology, which integrate the mind, body and spirit by drawing upon a diverse range of techniques and tools (e.g meditation, yoga, breath work, chakra balancing, grounding and alternative healing methods). People who are experiencing psychosis may also benefit from these treatment methods. However, this should be done in collaboration with treating medical staff to ensure safety and grounding.

Altered states of consciousness

There is an argument for the acceptance of altered states of consciousness, including spiritual emergence/emergency, and pathological psychosis to exist as a spectrum. In this model, spiritual experiences exist at one end of the spectrum and hold potential for positive learning experiences, adaptation and growth. At the other end of this spectrum is psychosis, differentiated from spiritual experiences by the potential for negative outcomes. For example, destructive mental states create harm to the individual. This model indicates that the key difference between spiritual emergency and psychosis is the potential outcome, rather than the experience itself. The diagnosis between one or the other can be largely dependent upon the diagnosing practitioner and their background, either in Eastern or Western medicine. 

How can a Psychologist help during a spiritual crisis?

Trans-personal psychological intervention in these altered states of consciousness should emphasise the positive contexts of their experiences, rather than consider them to be a disease in need of curing. The founders of the Spiritual Emergence Network, Stanislav and Christina Grof, emphasise the need to be respectful of the healing wisdom that may come through spiritual emergence and spiritual emergency, and to support the natural course of the altered state of consciousness. Therapeutic interventions include reassuring individuals that their experience is normal, reducing environmental stimulation, and encouraging creative expression in the form of art, music, writing or dance, to externalise their experience in ways that cannot be fully verbalised.

For more information about Stanislav Grof’s work follow this link http://www.stanislavgrof.com

Depth Psychology and the benefits of integrating holistic knowledge

Alana at the Signs of Life is passionate about supporting people during their process of spiritual emergence by utilising trans-personal Psychology. Furthermore, she is trained to help the individual determine which treatment path will help soothe the pain, create safety and maintain balance. Alana values Western evidence-based treatment methods. However, she draws upon eclectic, holistic and alternative approaches when appropriate and safe to do so.

Human beings are complex and multi-layered. Psychology needs to be able to reach the individual in places that science is still trying to explore and understand. Transpersonal Psychology enables Alana to explore the unknown with clients. Alana is passionate about engaging n the mystery of life with her clients and supporting them to integrate profound and often painful experiences back into our everyday life. Alana helps clients draw on creative expression, develop personal values and ethics, and create an individual living philosophy with practical tools to cope and transcend. Furthermore, Alana is trained to see the unique differences and overlap between a spiritual crisis and psychosis.

For information about existential anxiety and how to obtain support read Alana’s blog here.