transpersonalism
|trans-per-son-al-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˌtrænspərˈsɑːnəlɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌtrænspəˈsɜːnəlɪzəm/
beyond the personal self
Etymology
'transpersonalism' originates from the prefix 'trans-' (from Latin 'trans' meaning 'across' or 'beyond'), the adjective 'personal' (from Latin 'personalis' derived from 'persona' meaning 'mask' or 'person'), and the suffix '-ism' (from Greek/Latin usage indicating a doctrine, system, or movement).
'transpersonalism' developed in English in the 20th century as a noun formed from 'transpersonal' + the suffix '-ism'; 'transpersonal' itself is a compound of the prefix 'trans-' and 'personal'.
Initially it denoted 'a doctrine or study concerning what lies beyond the personal self,' and over time it has come to refer more specifically to a movement and body of theory/practice within psychology and spirituality that studies transpersonal experiences.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a school of thought or movement (in psychology and spirituality) that emphasizes experiences, processes, or aspects of consciousness beyond the individual ego or personal identity.
Transpersonalism influenced therapies that incorporate mystical experiences and altered states of consciousness into psychological treatment.
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Noun 2
an intellectual position or approach that studies or posits transpersonal phenomena such as collective consciousness, spiritual awakening, or peak/mystical experiences as valid areas of inquiry.
Scholars of transpersonalism publish research on collective meditation practices and their effects on community well-being.
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Last updated: 2025/10/13 09:55