Psychology Commons^™

Bridging Transpersonal Ecosophical Concerns With The Hero’S Journey And Superheroes Through Comicbook Lore: Implications For Personal And Cultural Transformation, Mark A. Schroll, Claire Polansky

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This paper explores how mythical figures and comicbook superheroes can 1) inspire personal growth, social and planetary change, and 2) explicate aspects of the deep ecology movement and transpersonal ecosophy that invite further academic inquiry while at the same time 3) speak to concerns that ignite the interests of popular culture and personal mythology. Likewise the ecopsychological significance of modern fictional characters in comicbooks, graphic novels, and films will be examined. It is divided into two parts. Part 1 provides a theoretical examination of how definitions of the terms myth and hero and hero’s journey are framed, and their implications …

Nature, Human Ecopsychological Consciousness And The Evolution Of Paradigm Change In The Face Of Current Ecological Crisis, Karen Palamos

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This paper explores factors that contribute to the ecological crisis of the contemporary time, including philosophical, psychological, and spiritual beliefs that have contributed to the current situation. Recognition is paid to the role of reductionist Cartesian thought and centuries of attempted separation from nature. Contributions of Jungian, post-Jungian, depth, and transpersonal scholars fortify an understanding of the subtle perceptual shifts for change to become possible. Recognition of humanity’s interconnectivity with all life is proposed as a key factor in building motivation toward becoming agents of change, concluding with a call for co-created praxis toward regeneration of connection to life in …

The Deep Ecology Movement: Origins, Development, And Future Prospects (Toward A Transpersonal Ecosophy), Alan Drengson, Bill Devall, Mark A. Schroll

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

The deep ecology movement, which began with Arne Naess’ introduction of the term in

1972, is compared with other movements for social responsibility that developed in the

20th century. The paper discusses Naess’ cross-cultural approach to characterizing grassroots

movements via platform principles that can be supported from a diversity of cultures,

worldviews, and personal philosophies, and explains his use of “ecosophy.” The deep ecology

movement’s relationship with ecopsychology, ecocriticism, and humanistic and transpersonal

psychology is described as part of an emerging synthesis referred to as transpersonal ecosophy.

The inquiry concludes with a technical discussion of Naess’ Apron Diagram and reflections …

Clearing Up Rollo May’S Views Of Transpersonal Psychology And Acknowledging May As An Early Supporter Of Ecopsychology, Mark A. Schroll, John Rowan, Oliver Robinson

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This paper explores Rollo May’s 1992 reassessment of transpersonal psychology, in which he reverses

his 1986 and 1989 arguments against transpersonal psychology. Equally relevant, this paper shows

that May was actually interested in supporting what is now called ecopsychology. Schroll (following

Alan Drengson and Arne Naess) now refers to ecopsychology as transpersonal ecosophy. This paper

offers a thorough examination of several key concerns that May had regarding his reservations

toward accepting transpersonal psychology’s legitimacy, and includes May’s vigorous discussion with

Ken Wilber. Wilber’s discussion with Kirk Schneider’s 1987 and 1989 critique of transpersonal

psychology is also examined. Likewise Albert Ellis’ …

Ecopsychology, Transpersonal Psychology, And Nonduality, John V. Davis

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

Nonduality is at the core of both transpersonal psychology and ecopsychology and provides a

means of finding common ground between these approaches. However, misunderstandings

and the lack of an adequate conceptual language for nonduality have limited the value

of this concept for ecopsychology. Nonduality is presented as a range of experiences and

stages of development in which particulars are perceived and understood as part of an allencompassing

totality. Specifically, nonduality is understood in terms of a self-identity

in which separating boundaries no longer isolate one from other expressions of Being. A

description of nondual dimensions of Being based on the …