[Theoretical and empirical foundations of transpersonal psychology]

In this lecture, the new insights and strategies that transpersonal psychology offers will be discussed in relation to the global crisis. Western academic psychiatry, psychology, and psychotherapy are ethnocentric; they tend to see their point of view as being superior to the perspectives of all the other cultural groups. They are also pragmacentric in that they take into considerations only experiences and observations made in the ordinary state of consciousness (with the exception of dreams). Such an approach makes no distinction between mysticism and psychosis and pathogizes spiritual and healing practices of ancient and aboriginal cultures. In this lecture, the results of serious study of the entire spectrum of human experience will be discussed, including non-ordinary states of consciousness. Such research logically leads to transpersonal psychology, a system that includes and honors the specific contributions of all cultures throughout ages and sees spirituality as an essential dimension of the human psyche and existence.