The Return of Perennial Perspectives? Why Transpersonal Psychology Should Remain Open to Essentialism

Summary

Transpersonal psychology should engage with metaphysical issues as long as they are supported by evidence and not purely speculative. Arguments against including non-scientific phenomena in this field are flawed, and existing explanations for spiritual experiences are insufficient. Commonalities exist in spiritual experiences, near-death experiences, and post-traumatic growth narratives, even among those unfamiliar with spiritual traditions. Emphasizing pluralism is crucial in ongoing debates within transpersonal psychology.

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Abstract

In reply to This discussion illustrates that perennialist perspectives are far from outmoded. I discuss the metaphysical aspects of my model, suggesting that there is no reason why transpersonal psychology should not address metaphysical issues, as long as they are secondary to phenomenological issues, and as long as they are based on evidence rather than wholly speculative. Attempts to exclude so-called non-scientific phenomena from transpersonal psychology are based on invalid arguments, including an outmoded concept of the importance of falsifiability. I argue that attempts to explain the commonalities in accounts of spiritual or mystical experiences across and outside traditions through radical diffusionism, contextualism, or neuroscientific reductionism are inadequate. I note that these commonalities also feature in accounts of near-death experiences and accounts of intense post-traumatic growth. I also highlight the importance of historical cases of natural wakefulness in individuals with no familiarity with spiritual traditions. I conclude with comments on the nature of recent debates in transpersonal psychology and on the importance of pluralism.

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