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 English Italiano     Presenters J - O Miller, Judith

English Italiano Print this page The Challenge of Oneness for Transpersonal Psychology—as a Field and for Practitioners

Judith MillerOneness as a spiritual and psychological concept is not accepted in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, or even organized religion.
We all know the diagnostic label—“ideas of reference” which is put on those who engages in thinking around certain events, synchronicities, and converging energies—in a way where his or her individual self is dissolved into Oneness.
As therapists we are taught to help people respect boundaries, to learn to differentiate between themselves and others, and when there is struggle between one and another—whether it be mother, friend, supervisor, lover,--we teach them to put up strong boundaries between themselves and whoever may be hurtful. We also stand firm on such therapist/client issues as transference and counter-transference, so we are warned of the difficulties that will come up when either therapists or clients make the two—One—between each other.
In addition to all these clinical challenges, the prevailing postmodern worldview doesn’t accept Oneness—instead we are told to acknowledge, respect and even perpetuate the subtle and obvious cultural diversity and differences among people. Therefore, there can be no Absolute truth or consciousness of Oneness.
I believe if the transpersonal movement is to bring about a culture of Oneness in a multicultural world, we each need to explore and confront our inner conflicts and divisions, in a manner even deeper than we have done before.

My goal in this discussion is to raise the possibility that transpersonal therapists and healers may—unknowingly—be bringing the conflictual worldviews and splits within themselves—into the psycho-spiritual work they do with others. It is only through such insights and personal awareness—that we as a field can make the two—One—and assist individuals and society to raise its level of consciousness to where it must be—today.

 

Judith S. Miller Ph.D.
Psychology Professor of Human Development, Columbia University, New York, USA

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