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Appendix 111
PSYCHOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY
We can best understand the relationship between psychology and spirituality by seeing these fields as different approaches to the study of evolving consciousness. Joseph Campbell,2 Ken Wilber,2 writers in the field of Transpersonal Psychology, and myself3 have pointed out how Freud’s psychosexual developmental stages correspond closely to the lower stages of consciousness described by yogis. And Wilber has demonstrated the efficacy of looking at all levels of psychological development in terms of the evolution of consciousness. He draws parallels between Western psychology’s developmental stages of mind and levels of consciousness defined by philosophers, theologians, mystics and masters from many spiritual traditions, as well as the subtle states of consciousness studied by yogis.
Each of these levels is defined by a whole constellation of affects, styles, forms and content of thought, behavioral and motivational patterns and their relationship to early environmental determinants, and the kinds of experiences—both interpersonal and intrapsychic— necessary to promote evolution from one level to the next (more about this later). In addition, some of the spiritual techniques used in helping people advance from lower to higher stages are similar to psychological techniques and vice versa.
Let’s review some basic psychological and spiritual concepts to see if we can find some interrelationships upon which to base the practice of a spiritual psychology. And as we develop the theoretical
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