TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY Introduction Program Audience Achieving Prerequisites Program Objectives Program Concentrations Postgraduate Certificate in Transpersonal Studies Master of Science in Transpersonal Psychology Doctor of Philosophy in Transpersonal Psychology (by Dissertation) Program Faculty Transpersonal Resources Welcome to the Akamai Transpersonal Psychology Program! The Transpersonal Psychology Program at Akamai University is an exciting venture designed to engage students in their studies in every aspect of their lives. The Akamai Transpersonal Psychology Program promotes individual development and transformation, while focusing upon critical thinking skills and a vision of one’s self and the surrounding universe that goes beyond personal considerations— entering the “transpersonal” realm. This transpersonal realm may include a variety of experiences, inclusive of visions, dreams, creative work, psychic experiences, mysticism, spirituality, shamanic experiences, psychedelic experiences, and much more. However, the historical precedent of transpersonal psychology was the movement of humanistic psychology, which focused upon the factors of human growth, creativity, and self-actualization, in a context of warm, empathic, genuine, caring relationships. These essential human ingredients of caring and authenticity are factors that are interwoven in Akamai’s transpersonal psychology program, as humanistic psychology is intimately connected with transpersonal psychology at Akamai. As Director of the Transpersonal Psychology Program at Akamai, I welcome you into our program, and invite you to learn more about our many offerings in the transpersonal psychology realm. Our goal is to nurture you in your potential to become self-actualized in life, and this may very well take its form in you experiencing altered states of consciousness as well as stimulating intellectual voyages. We very much look forward to getting to know you in the context of you becoming a transpersonal psychology student at Akamai University. Elliot Benjamin, Ph.D., Ph.D. Transpersonal Psychology Program Director Return to Top PROGRAM AUDIENCE The principles of transpersonal psychology, when applied to other endeavors, can greatly improve the effectiveness of practitioners in a wide array of fields. This is especially true in the fields of mental and physical health, intentional healing, organizational development, environmental concerns, education, peace and diplomacy, and various human services. By advancing our understanding of the human experience, in terms of the transpersonal, we can enhance our relationships and knowledge, of the self, families, and our community. Research developed in this field is not speculative, but reflects real-life conditions that have practical applications and solutions, which have demonstrated results in all aspects of the human condition. Transpersonal Psychology can address the special needs of the individual and community when applied to today’s cultural conditions, as it addresses the personal aspects of living the human experience. This program will present students with the findings of contemporary research, and the latest evolving theories, as well as examining personal techniques which have proven most effective in making positive and lasting changes within the context of current challenges. It is our pleasure to invite serious students to join us in this quest for a fuller understanding of transpersonal experiences. The Transpersonal Psychology Program is designed to serve the needs of professionals currently in, or wishing to enter, the process of understanding theirs, and other’s, personal relationship to transpersonal events and processes. Psychologists and Practitioners whose career or personal interests move them into the fields of transpersonal studies. Practitioners of mind/body relationship modalities who are interested in the nature of transpersonal consciousness. Teachers and Counselors who wish to add to their current understanding of transpersonal relationships. Transpersonal Psychologists, Contemporary Alternative Practitioners, Jungian Counselors, and Archetypal Psychologists. Organizational Psychologists, Consultants, and Business People interested in pursuing a different course than their contemporaries. Spiritual Psychologists, Spiritual Counselors and Pastoral Counselors interested in building their understandings and skills. Experimental or Research Psychologists, Practitioners of contemporary non-traditional research design and qualitative studies in alternative psychology. Theoreticians and Researchers interested in fields such as Jungian Studies, dream studies, archetypal research, mythology, religion, Theosophy, or Related Areas. Individuals interested in such diverse areas as; spiritual psychology, metaphysics, divinity, Noetic studies, gnostic studies, shamanic studies, mysticism and magickal realities, alternative psychologies, expressive states, the death-and-dying process, contemporary specialties, and other transformational processes. ACHIEVING PREREQUISITES On occasion, well qualified applicants are accepted to the Transpersonal Psychology graduate program lacking elements of preparation in basic psychology. Under these conditions, accepted students would be required to add the missing competencies to their program. Akamai has cooperation with CALCampus, an accredited online school, to assist our students in achieving these incomplete prerequisites. All credits earned at CALCampus are accepted by Akamai University. View CALCampus Online PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The Transpersonal Psychology Program focuses upon the following objectives: Deepening knowledge of the transpersonal realm. Deepening and widening knowledge of the Transpersonal realm, including the means for its access, self-control, and relationship to power. This deepening involves an integration/adaptation of past practices to the present and future possibilities, the development of techniques in accordance with the evolution of consciousness, and the building of a bridge between contemporary science and technology and traditional spiritual practices. It includes the study of dreams, visions and hallucinations, mythological symbolism, and the arts, how they contribute and relate to contemporary understanding of concrete reality and the subjective participation of the observer. Mapping the history of religions. Mapping the history of how great religions and shamanic traditions have interpreted and contained transpersonal experiences. Differences between how East and West, North and South functioning have molded our politics and economics is explored; lunar and solar, monotheistic and polytheistic approaches are compared. Differentiating between illness and health.,br> While highly gifted and disciplined individuals, those with trans-rational potential, have achieved control over their transiting across levels of reality, others, functioning at a pre-rational level, find themselves swept away to levels of otherness that they have no control over, and/or no awareness of. While trans-rational individuals are often teachers and healers, sometimes prophets and visionary artists who help move culture to its next stage of development, the pre-rational individuals are dysfunctional and need help with adapting to ordinary reality. Correct differentiation between these two types ensures that the appropriate treatment is given in times of spiritual emergence. Healing the split between realities, within and without. The split within addresses individuals or groups that fail to entertain smooth communications between realities caused by illness such as schizophrenia or various forms of cults that overemphasize one reality at the expense of balance. The split without addresses the problem of hatred, disrespect, indifference for and neglect of other individuals, groups or the environment. In this Center, special emphasis is placed on healing the split between social group/nations that differ in belief systems and developmental level, seeking to find the deeper level of communication that holds the power to heal hatred and separation, and the split between Culture and Nature. Return to Top PROGRAM CONCENTRATIONS The Transpersonal Psychology Program offers the following major concentrations for pursuit of study: Consciousness Studies Divinity Studies Dream Studies Hypnosis Studies Intentionality Studies Magickal Studies Metaphysical Studies Spiritual Psychology Transpersonal Studies Return to Top PRIMARY FACULTY Elliot Benjamin, PhD. Center Director Stanley Krippner, Ph.D. Christopher Johannes, Ph.D. Joann S. Bakula, Ph.D. Michael Cohen, Ed.D. Peter N. Jones, Ph.D. Stefan J. Kasian, Ph.D, Marena Koukis, Ph.D. Juanita J. Rinas, MA, LPC Return to Top TRANSPERSONAL RESOURCES 2013 Bridging the Hearts & Minds of Youth , Mindfulness in Clinical Practice, Education and Research Catamaran Hotel, San Diego, California, 1-3 February 2013 Association for Humanistic Psychology Center for Consciousness Studies Institute of Noetic Sciences ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association) Integral Institute Integral World International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Journal of Transpersonal Psychology Journal of Consciousness Studies Journal of Humanistic Psychology PSYCHE: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Research and Consciousness Saybrook Graduate School What is Enlightenment? Return to Top