Transpersonal experiences may have an impact on existing ego/identity boundaries, which can initiate a process of psychospiritual development. The prefix ‘trans’, as in transpersonal, can mean ‘transcending’, such as going beyond existing parameters of identity; or it can mean ‘transforming’, such as a shift in awareness from one state to another. The effects of transpersonal experiences can often lead to different ways of ‘knowing’, which can have a direct impact upon ways of ‘being’ and ‘doing’. This opinion piece considers how developments in transpersonal studies are applicable to human occupation. The human potential that could be explored through the interface between transpersonal identity and occupational identity is discussed.
AndersonR (1998) Foreword. In: ValleR, ed. Phenomenological inquiry in psychology. New York: Plenum Press, ix–xi.
2.
BoucouvalasM (1999) Following the movement: from transpersonal psychology to a multi-disciplinary transpersonal orientation. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 31 (3), 27–39.
3.
BraudW (1998) Can research be transpersonal?Transpersonal Psychology Review, 2 (2), 9–17.
4.
ChristiansenC (1999) The 1999 Eleanor Clark Slagle Lecture — Defining lives: occupation as identity: an essay on competence, coherence, and the creation of meaning. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 53 (6), 547–58.
5.
ClarkFAParhamDCarlsonMEFrankGJacksonJPierceDWolfeRJZemkeR (1991) Occupational science: academic innovation in the service of occupational therapy's future. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45 (4), 300–10.
6.
CollinsM (1998) Occupational therapy and spirituality: reflecting on quality of experience in therapeutic interventions. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61 (6), 280–84.
7.
CollinsM (2001) Who is occupied? Consciousness, self-awareness and the process of human adaptation. Journal of Occupational Science, 8 (1), 25–32.
8.
CollinsM (2007) Spiritual emergency and occupational identity: a transpersonal perspective. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70 (12), 504–12.
9.
CrownfieldD (1979) The self beyond itself: hermeneutics and transpersonal experience. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 2, 245–67.
ElamJ (2005) Mystical experience as a way of knowing. In: ClarkeC, ed. Ways of knowing: science and mysticism today. Exeter: Imprint Academic, 51–66.
12.
do RozarioL (1997) Shifting paradigms: the transpersonal dimensions of ecology and occupation. Journal of Occupational Science, 4 (3), 112–18.
13.
FerrerJ (2000) Transpersonal knowledge: a participatory approach to transpersonal phenomena. In: HartTNelsonPPuhakkaK, ed. Transpersonal knowing: exploring the horizon of consciousness. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.
14.
FerrerJ (2002) Revisioning transpersonal theory: a participatory vision of human spirituality. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.
15.
GriffithJCaronDDesrosiersJThibeaultR (2007) Defining spirituality and giving meaning to occupation: the perspective of community-dwelling older adults with autonomy loss. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74 (2), 78–90.
16.
GrofS (2000) Psychology of the future: lessons from modern consciousness research. Albany, NY: State University of New York.
17.
HeronJ (1998) Sacred science: person-centred inquiry into the spiritual and the subtle. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books.
18.
HowardA (2005) Counselling and identity: self realisation in a therapy culture. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
19.
HowlettJ (1999) Beyond physical rehabilitation: the power of inner healing after spinal cord injury. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, 5 (2), 91–94.
20.
LouchakovaO (2003) In: CaplanMHarteliusGRardinMA. Contemporary viewpoints on transpersonal psychology. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 35 (2), 143–62.
21.
MaslowA (1969a) The farther reaches of human nature. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 1 (1), 1–9.
22.
MaslowA (1969b) Various meanings of transcendence. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 1 (1), 56–66.
23.
McCollM (2003) Toward a model of practice for spirituality in occupational therapy. In: McCollM, ed. Spirituality and occupational therapy. Ottowa, ON: CAOT Publications ACE, 133–44.
24.
MindellA (2000) Quantum mind: the edge between physics and psychology. Portland, OR: Lao Tse Press.
25.
RothbergD (2003) In: CaplanMHarteliusGRardinMA. Contemporary viewpoints on transpersonal psychology. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 35 (2), 143–62.
26.
SollodRNWilsonJPMonteCF (2009) Beneath the mask: an introduction to the theories of personality. 8th ed.Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.
27.
SutichA (1976) The emergence of the transpersonal orientation: a personal account. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 8 (1), 5–19.
28.
TartC (2003) In: CaplanMHarteliusGRardinMA. Contemporary viewpoints on transpersonal psychology. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 35 (2), 143–62.
29.
TartC (2006) Current status of transpersonal psychology. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 13 (4), 83–87.
30.
TaylorS (2005) The sources of higher states of consciousness. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 24, 48–60.
31.
TodresL (2000) Embracing ambiguity: transpersonal development and the phenomenological tradition. Journal of Religion and Health, 39 (3), 227–37.
32.
TownsendE (1997) Occupation: potential for personal and social transformation. Journal of Occupational Science, 4 (1), 18–26.
33.
ValleR (1998) Transpersonal awareness: implications for phenomenological research. In: ValleR, ed. Phenomenological inquiry in psychology. New York: Plenum Press, 273–79.
