Shadow, Self, Spirit: Essays in Transpersonal Psychology

Abstract

Embracing Metaphysics: Transpersonal Psychology as a Post-Materialist ApproachMichael Daniels’s book Shadow, Self, Spirit is an essential book for students of transpersonal psychology – perhaps the clearest, most wide-ranging and well-written overview of the topic that has yet been written. However, this article suggests some problematic areas with Daniels’s approach, such as his criticism of transpersonal psychology’s focus on states of consciousness, and (in particular) his sceptical attitude to metaphysics. I suggest that it is impossible for transpersonal psychology to avoid metaphysics, and that the best approach is to be explicit and rigorous about our metaphysical orientation. I discuss different types of ‘bad’ metaphysics, with Ferrer’s concept of ‘the mystery’ as an example. I offer a defence of my ‘soft perennialist’ model against Daniels’s criticisms. There are four main reasons why transpersonal psychology should embrace a post-materialist outlook:It is impossible to avoid some form of metaphysical orientation;The field has traditionally been associated with such a metaphysical orientation;The evidence for some form of post-materialism is compelling;By committing to a post-materialist orientation, the field can contribute to a cultural shift away from materialism and its destructive effects. Since there are such a broad variety of post-materialist perspectives, this would not involve abandoning a pluralistic approach.