Ecopsychology and Transpersonal Psychology

An Encounter with One's Deeper Self and Energy: A Phenomenological Study Among Spiritually Engaged Individuals in the Netherlands

“…and the feeling of that place was almost palpable'' (p. 34). The understanding of the essence of the environment as a continuous mass, connected by energy, as opposed to the environment composed of separated entities is in line with ecopsychological, transpersonal, and ecophenomenological views (Brown & Toadvine, 2003;Davis, 2011;Roszak, 1992;Snell et al, 2011). Indeed, Davis (2003) embraced ''vibrational energy'' for describing empathic communication as a transcendent creation of a synchronized energy field.…”

“…This interpretation relates to Relph's (1976) definition of ''existential insideness,'' a deep, gradual identification with a place, shaping behavior and experience spatially. Participants appear susceptible to undergoing this process quickly, perhaps because they trust the natural surroundings as transcendental family (Davis, 2011).…”

“…In this understanding, spiritual experiences radically shift the worldview from isolated selfidentities toward collective and transcendental self-identities, where nature is part of a larger self, comparable to family (Davis, 2011;Liu & Robertson, 2011). A lasting process of transformation is seen as an important remedy for the ailment of disconnection with nature, which could otherwise cause a variety of psychological dysfunctions (Chalquist, 2009;Feral, 1998;Louv, 2005;Warber et al, 2011) and destructive behavior to nature (Davis, 1998;Garfield et al, 2014;Mayer & Frantz, 2004;Zylstra et al, 2014).…”

“…Various authors agree that spiritual experiences in natural environments are at the core of ecopsychology and transpersonal psychology (Atchley, 1997;Benson et al, 2003;Davis, 2011;Roszak et al, 1995;Scull, 2008;Snell et al, 2011). In this understanding, spiritual experiences radically shift the worldview from isolated selfidentities toward collective and transcendental self-identities, where nature is part of a larger self, comparable to family (Davis, 2011;Liu & Robertson, 2011).…”

Nature, Human Ecopsychological Consciousness and the Evolution of Paradigm Change in the Face of Current Ecological Crisis

“…(Davis & Canty, 2013, p. 600) This is an expanded understanding of transpersonal as it has developed in transpersonal psychology, and it is also useful in engaging the highly relevant scientific discipline of ecology, which has itself been expanded to include what Fox (1990) has termed transpersonal ecology. Davis and Canty (2013) explained the idea that a transpersonal view of human-nature relationships includes, "conceiving of nature as an expanded and more-inclusive self," and that "a transpersonal view goes beyond the nature-as-self image without invalidating it. Such a transpersonal view recognizes that both human and nature are expressions of the same ground of being" (pp.…”