Recently, someone I know has had to have psychological treatment for neurosis that had gotten out of control. He could not work efficiently, could not enjoy more than a few moments at any time, and kept having to repeat scenarios over and over to a maddening degree. Asked my advice on this, I at first suggested my preferred method - transpersonal psychology. Freudian psychoanalysis is too mired in sex and the past, behavioral psych treats the social human as a robot, and both are absolutely soulless. Transpersonal psych works within the spiritual framework, pointing towards the ultimate end of obtaining greater union with the greater Field, something I have highlighted in this blog again and again. We are much more than our neurosis; we are on a quest in a marvelous, unimaginable universe. Once we get our little selves out of the way, the stars are our destination.
And yet, perhaps I am wrong. Another friend of mine was involved with a "New Age" psychologist many years ago, who was probably a follower of the transpersonal philosophy. Yet I was surprised to learn some years later that he (the psychologist) had committed suicide. That was a startling bucket of cold water. What could have happened?
I do not sneer at neurosis. Although not particularly bothered by such things, I did have a major run-in with it after first moving to Wisconsin 15 years ago (recounted in the foreword to "Dream Weaver.") It was as if a monster, a demon had entered my head. I became a victim of this monster, who abused me constantly for shortcomings, as well as made me envision all the worst of life. I could not find joy even on a beautiful day. Everything seemed to contain evil. Somehow, gradually over a few years, it worked itself out, and as it did so, I realized what I had known but could not grasp before - that is was only me, Freud's super-ego, the policeman of the ego that makes us behave. It had gone wild, some normal balancing tendencies having been weakened by my very unwelcome move.
It did have its good side - it got me to start writing, and also to take up the classical guitar, both of which I do to this day. In those exercises, I have realized some incredible things about life and been brought to realizations that have become more than mental play things.
I did not receive counseling, but if I had, would the transpersonal kind have helped? I was, at that time, into spiritual things, but now like now. Would such a platform have made the weirdness in my head even weirder? For there is one thing that you long for when under psychological stress - normalcy; just every-day socially constructed normalcy. Leave the space- tripping to others, you just want to be able to sit comfortably and watch a sunset.
So the transpersonal psychologists tell us themselves: the point of developing the ego is the create a firm platform to supersede it. That is the point (or one great point) of creation - to develop an individuality that may then return to the Source with the total experience. In psychological distress, we cannot do that - instead we cling, we create neurosis, we stick to anything that keeps us from sinking into the abyss. We need normalcy first before we can explore - and psychological distress is a signal that the big "outside" is coming in and we are not handling it well.
I don't know at what level we have to be to handle such a thing, this looming greatness, well. As Kathleen Singh has written, every dying person she has attended went through a period of extreme distress, to get ready for the loss of the small self and the entrance of the Unified Self. But perhaps in life, especially in the earlier to mid years, we need that strong ego first. That is where regular, flat-plan psychology might work best. The problem is, that might become all we get to know, but that is a problem that arises later.
I will tell my friend, then, to find that which works the best. I would advise, though, from noticing the experiences others have had: don't end up blaming all of your troubles on your parents. "Man was born to trouble as the sparks fly upward." That is true, regardless of your conditioning. We should, I think, simply (it may not be so simple) become comfortable enough to acknowledge joy, and from there, delve further. Best of luck to you, my friend, on your voyage. FK
And yet, perhaps I am wrong. Another friend of mine was involved with a "New Age" psychologist many years ago, who was probably a follower of the transpersonal philosophy. Yet I was surprised to learn some years later that he (the psychologist) had committed suicide. That was a startling bucket of cold water. What could have happened?
I do not sneer at neurosis. Although not particularly bothered by such things, I did have a major run-in with it after first moving to Wisconsin 15 years ago (recounted in the foreword to "Dream Weaver.") It was as if a monster, a demon had entered my head. I became a victim of this monster, who abused me constantly for shortcomings, as well as made me envision all the worst of life. I could not find joy even on a beautiful day. Everything seemed to contain evil. Somehow, gradually over a few years, it worked itself out, and as it did so, I realized what I had known but could not grasp before - that is was only me, Freud's super-ego, the policeman of the ego that makes us behave. It had gone wild, some normal balancing tendencies having been weakened by my very unwelcome move.
It did have its good side - it got me to start writing, and also to take up the classical guitar, both of which I do to this day. In those exercises, I have realized some incredible things about life and been brought to realizations that have become more than mental play things.
I did not receive counseling, but if I had, would the transpersonal kind have helped? I was, at that time, into spiritual things, but now like now. Would such a platform have made the weirdness in my head even weirder? For there is one thing that you long for when under psychological stress - normalcy; just every-day socially constructed normalcy. Leave the space- tripping to others, you just want to be able to sit comfortably and watch a sunset.
So the transpersonal psychologists tell us themselves: the point of developing the ego is the create a firm platform to supersede it. That is the point (or one great point) of creation - to develop an individuality that may then return to the Source with the total experience. In psychological distress, we cannot do that - instead we cling, we create neurosis, we stick to anything that keeps us from sinking into the abyss. We need normalcy first before we can explore - and psychological distress is a signal that the big "outside" is coming in and we are not handling it well.
I don't know at what level we have to be to handle such a thing, this looming greatness, well. As Kathleen Singh has written, every dying person she has attended went through a period of extreme distress, to get ready for the loss of the small self and the entrance of the Unified Self. But perhaps in life, especially in the earlier to mid years, we need that strong ego first. That is where regular, flat-plan psychology might work best. The problem is, that might become all we get to know, but that is a problem that arises later.
I will tell my friend, then, to find that which works the best. I would advise, though, from noticing the experiences others have had: don't end up blaming all of your troubles on your parents. "Man was born to trouble as the sparks fly upward." That is true, regardless of your conditioning. We should, I think, simply (it may not be so simple) become comfortable enough to acknowledge joy, and from there, delve further. Best of luck to you, my friend, on your voyage. FK
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