Rites of Passage and the Borderline Syndrome: Perspectives in Transpersonal Anthropology

The Rites of Passage Framework as a Matrix of Transgression Processes in the Life Course

“…The third phase is the ‘incorporation phase,’ entailing a new social identity and marking the start of a new period of life (Van Gennep 1960 ). Another strength of this conception, aside from the modal aspects listed here, is its simultaneous reference to several levels of change: from the level of the body (Peters 1994 ) to the level of societal transformation (Draper 2003 ), without compromise to the continuity of the individual identity, or to the continuity of the family or social group (Draper 2003 ; Turner 1967 ; Van Gennep 1960 ). Referring to the structural dimensions of the theory rites of passage and liminality presented above, we have created the term of structural matrix that comprises mutually intertwined main elements of ritual performance and structurally analogous characteristics of mental crisis that are connected with the main passages in the course of life acknowledging cultural norms and values that are involved in.…”

“…The drama of ritual accommodates both elements of arousing anxiety and ways of overcoming it. This aspect of ritual is referenced by scholars who seek in its structure construal of behaviors such as self-harming or para-suicidal actions (Hillman 1965 ; Peters 1994 ). Playing out practices of this nature places the individual in a situation of danger and contact with death, and thus reflects his inner tension (Peters 1994 ).…”

“…This aspect of ritual is referenced by scholars who seek in its structure construal of behaviors such as self-harming or para-suicidal actions (Hillman 1965 ; Peters 1994 ). Playing out practices of this nature places the individual in a situation of danger and contact with death, and thus reflects his inner tension (Peters 1994 ). Hillman believes that suicide attempts may be interpreted as a symbolic need to experience death in order to achieve radical change within the sphere of the ego (Hillman 1965 ).…”

The Self: A Transpersonal Neuroanthropological Account

“…Just how the self presents to self-awareness and how one makes sense of those presentations are heavily mediated by culture. As psychological anthropologist Larry Peters (1994) has shown, the "symptoms" of mental illness as interpreted by clinicians in a Western technocratic culture may be seen as indications of the need for a rite of passage and self-transformation in a non-Western context.…”

The Ethno-Epistemology of Transpersonal Experience: The View from Transpersonal Anthropology

“…he literature in transpersonal anthropology extends back into the 19 th century, and is rich in the range of transpersonal experiences described among the planet's cultures (see Campbell & Staniford, 1978;Laughlin, 1989Laughlin, , 1994aLaughlin, McManus, & Shearer, 1983;Peters, 1994Peters, , 1996Schroll, 2011;Schroll & Schwartz, 2005;LaHood, 2007;Gaffin, 2012). Transpersonal anthropology is the cross-cultural study of transpersonal experiences, including the sociocultural evocation, interpretation, and utility of transpersonal experiences, and their involvement in defining social roles.…”