Impact of Transpersonal Psychology on Personal and Professional Development

This article discusses the impact of knowledge of transpersonal psychology on personal and professional development. It explores the connection between learning and the subject being experienced, using examples from literature and the current COVID-19 pandemic. The article also delves into the concepts of mindfulness, trauma, and post-traumatic growth, and how they relate to transpersonal psychology. Overall, it highlights the transformative potential of transpersonal psychology in navigating challenging times and finding meaning in life.

DISCUSS HOW KNOWLEDGE OF TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY HAS IMPACT
UPON YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CONNECTION
BETWEEN YOUR LEARNING AND THE SUBJECT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING)
There was a great novelist of 20th century who’s named was Albert Camus and he has started his
work on the novel known as Plague. This novelist died at the age of 46 years and his novel is
based on particular virus which was spread rapidly from animals to human beings that occurs in
the Oran city. Basically, it can be considered as a situation that spread panic and horror among
people living everywhere and end by damaging around half population of that town. It is
observed that people were connected to aspects of life including business and they have
addiction to money, competition and daily routine before occurrence of this disaster. However,
citizens barely think about the fact that they were alive as remaining population of world. This
story has potential to explain about turbo-capitalism, hyper-capitalism and indicate about
weakness as well as lostness may deliver the lives to meaninglessness.
In the same way, it has been analyzed that Camus also define present COVID-19 pandemic
eloquently and vulnerability faced by people now. This tale has potential to make people
remember that when it comes to death then there is no escape from our deficiency and presence
in being alive as well as there is no progress in history. However, the recital provided by Camus
has potential to expose the way of our lives and out troubles can become meaningless in
spontaneous manner. It has efficiency to tell the humanity that they can never be physically or
mentally prepared completely for the several pandemics takes place accordingly. Meanwhile, it
is observed that the present epidemic circumstances related to COVID-19 can be considered as
truly an inescapable to make people remember about they face that how equally vulnerable we
are and experiencing this kind of crisis. Moreover, it is responsible for bringing emotions full of
pain, uncertainty, physical suffering and mental distress and the most important question about
the way to overcome with this condition.
The main objective related to coronavirus is known as social distancing at the time of this
pandemic but some of people also struggle with their own thoughts regarding the same. It
includes the situation that people have fear to face their worst enemy which includes themselves
make tries for escaping from painful emotions and ignore the condition of remaining lonely.
Meanwhile, it has been analyzed that ultimate objective of the escapism is known as distraction
of self and it can be the opposite of mindfulness (Rojo-Perez, & Martinez-Martin, 2011). In
addition to this, the great British philosopher named Alain de Bottom who explains about the
aspect of remaining lonely as an inevitable part of being intelligent, complex human being and
sensitive and it is helpful to make people able of real intimacy as well as more creative.
Moreover, it includes the fact that we may be isolated in current situation but we will become
efficient of being far closer respectively (De Botton, 2008).
It has been analyzed that people may find themselves far and separated from their friends and
loves ones at the period of isolation but this alone condition will not be measured by how much
time spend alone and it is all about the way we spend our time in loneliness. By considering my

personal experience, it has been evaluated that I feel often to be alone utterly and it make me feel
to be a last person on the planet in even the crowd of family and friends respectively. As per
views provided by a Neuroscientist, John Cacioppo, it is observed that it is actually very painful
to be alone on a physical state and emotional level. It states that lack of social link is responsible
for triggering the similar feelings, primal alarm signals as hunger thirst and physical pain
accordingly (Cacioppo, 2009).
On the other hand, it has been analyzed that I believe that the aspect of mindfulness is helpful an
individual to become aware and feel the specific sense of attachment which can be accessible
always by you that is learned by my personal experience. It includes the fact that access to
attachment is possible regardless of circumstances exits outside and internal thoughts and I gain
knowledge to deal with occurrence of psychological and emotional trauma by juts remain
mindful respectively. Meanwhile, there are different types of investigations which are
accountable to indicate a relation between mindfulness and trauma because they both are
concerned with nature of suffering accordingly. It is observed that these both factors are also
concerned with trauma increases stress at the time of remaining mindfulness that is effective for
reducing the same. However, considering the perspectives related to mindfulness, situations of
trauma involving the natural disaster like COVID-19 that can be viewed as situation for
improved growth level. In addition to this, it is observed that disaster would be considered as a
kind of crash course in terms of Buddhist principles of compassion for all the beings of non
attachment, of abandoning the illusion of sense of separateness of an individual. It is all about to
being present completely, of awareness of ephemerality as well as fearless or at least aplomb in
the face of uncertainty (Solnit 2009, 115-118).
As mentioned in several carried out studies based in natural disaster, it indicates about mindful
program which plays an important role to reduce incidents of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and enhances post traumatic growth. It usually indicates about few of positive changes
in psychological context that takes place in response to particular traumatic event consisting
improved resilience, self-confidence, greater empathy and improved subjective wellbeing along
with a situation deeper appreciation for a life (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 1999, 2001).
It has been analyzed that experiences related to trauma is responsible for revealing in an acute,
distinct and challenging ways the impermanent nature if life Traumatic experiences reveal in
acute, distinct and challenging ways the impermanent nature of life (structurally, socially,
environmentally, etc.). Basically, it is observed that they are accountable for providing an insight
into the way of suffering raises because of permanent independent existence of an individual
who is on control of life accordingly. Such experiences challenge the idea of the existence of a
permanent independent person who is in control of life. Such insight can be liberating when it
negates preconceived ideas about how life should be when facing uncontrollable circumstances,
such as natural disasters or death. Hence, a traumatic experience can be viewed by a mindfulness
practitioner as empowering through wise and compassionate acceptance of ever-changing
processes and phenomena as impermanent. This applies to emotional phenomena, such as fear,
grief and pain, as well as the matchstick remains of a forest or a burnt-out house. According to
Buddhist teachings, it is from this position only that wise action can be performed, appropriate to
any given circumstance. This is where mindfulness can help disaster researchers exposed directly
or vicariously to trauma (Eriksen.2015).

According to Steve Taylor, author and senior lecture in psychology at Leeds Beckett University,
commonly, transcendental awareness experience happens during a time of extreme stress and
post-traumatic transformation, "awakening" occurs, those encountering such an awaking often
experience after-effects, and they feel born again. In a book entitled "The Leap" Taylor explores
the triggers and causes of awakening, he explains we can always find beauty and happiness even
in challenging and strange times as in the current situation by fundamentally feeling the state of
presence. In fact, when our reality gets more intense and overwhelming, it can be an even more
significant opportunity for transformation (awakening). His study also showed, 32 individuals
who reported positive psychological transformation following periods of intense turmoil and
trauma were interviewed (Taylor, 2011, 2012a).
If there is a fire of longing within you to know the truth of your being, then with the right
practice and orientation, awakening will eventually occur. Although really it takes no time at all
because there is only ever "now" where awakening can take place. Discovering truth has to
become the most important thing to you and not as just a spare-time hobby.
Awakening is more likely to take place where there has been unhappiness or sorrows in
someone's life because the suffering of one kind or another is often the impetus for the search for
answers and for finding a way out of pain or depression. And in a way, this is the purpose of
human suffering as a drive towards awakening. People who have effortless lives and everything
is going well for them on an outer level, still may feel some dissatisfaction or dis-ease with life,
but perhaps not to the extent where they are moved to begin a spiritual search. We don't have to
wait until misery or disaster strikes.
In every moment there comes an opportunity, a choice to either BE fully here, Present and
available to life or to be caught up and lost in the past and future world of the mind, in
judgements, opinion, and mental noise.
However being in painful and troublesome situations- such as a diagnosis of a life_limiting
illness, terminal cancer or very close to dying as in a dangerous situation( accident or injury)-
can have positive transformational effects. according to positive psychology, it may lead to
'flourishing.' In particular, intense encounters with mortality may produce a heightened sense of
appreciation for life, more authentic relationships and lifestyles, and an increased ability to be
"mindful", in the sense of becoming more focussed upon the present, and more vividly aware of
one's surroundings. It can be consider as a method of 'spontaneous mindfulness' caused by a re-
orienting of attention, away from the future and the past, and into the present. It is suggested that
increasing our awareness of mortality - such as by making a conscious effort to contemplate
death - can help us to gain some of the positive transformational effects of an intense encounter
with mortality (Steve Taylor, 2016).
Studies of the after-effects of near-death experiences show similar findings to the research
conducted by Van Lommel (2004), who showed the patients who had a near-death experience,
had decreased interest in material wealth and personal success and an increased sense of
connection to nature, sense of love and compassion for themselves and others.

In September 2005, the English writer/actor, Alan Bennett, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer
and his chance of survival was given as being much less than 50% and he began to write a book
called Untold Stories. The book has little to say about him as a performer, but it is the last words
about him as an individual. He writes in an unmediated form about his life. He starts with his
mother's mental issues and his frustration about her delusions and his antisocial behaviour as a
child in Leeds. And he talks openly for the first time about his homosexuality, and it seems to
have taken him a lifetime to escape his parents' values. He refuses to be anything other than who
he is and identifies himself.
Bennett displays an eye for detail, reveals meticulously and express his feeling for the
complexity of human interaction, and informed mind and heart, a generous spirit and human
qualities.
From my own experience on April 22, 2020, my brother was infected with COVID-19. During
that period of uncertainty, all the family members were worried and anxious except my brother
himself; he appeared more at peace with the world than he had even been before and repeatedly
noticed that he loves every second of life. I witnessed myself the positive changes such as a new
sense of appreciation, enhanced and more authentic relationships. As I remember he had never
been this calm before, consistently complaining about everything, now he loved everything even
when he was in pain, and I realised something has changed, so it is possible we might experience
similar growth during the coronavirus pandemic.
The majority of people who become engaged in spirituality have gone through, or are going
through, a spiritual awakening process of some kind. After, or simultaneously during this
experience, they might also experience a painful phenomenon known as the Dark Night of the
Soul. In other words, a spiritual awakening is an experience of entering the spiritual search.
Mostly, spiritual awakenings happen as a result of sickness, job loss, traumatic life experiences,
and significant life changes, such as marriage or childbirth. Suddenly, the old, materialistic way
of life doesn't satisfy a person, and they start to crave more. And so begins the spiritual quest. In
Steve Taylor's study, ninety awakening experiences were collected and thematically examined to
discover their triggers, characteristics, the term of validity and after-effects. The study proves the
importance of the traumatic event and emotional suffering in generating awakening experiences,
and that most awakening experiences occur spontaneously, outside the context of spiritual
practices and traditions.
During challenging and modern times, it is easy to lose hope and catastrophes can bring out and
highlight the difference between individual self-interest and social responsibility as we have
already witnessed a silver lining in that maybe this has made room for new habits to be born.
In conclusion, this crisis has transformed my life in a positive and meaningful way, and I feel the
final expression of freedom - escape from landlocked life, relief from the predictability of daily
life, a chance to explore, to reinvent and I have developed a strong sense of purpose, there are
more things to admire in life than to despise. Perhaps with the lockdown, we will have some
times to reflect on what life is about and what is essential.

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