Spotlight on Consciousness Studies
ITP is one of the few accredited institutions in the world that offers a broad range of Masters and Ph.D. level courses in various fields related to Transpersonal Psychology. The following is a list of Consciousness Studies courses taught in the past. The particular electives offered by the Institute vary at any given time. The school tries to be responsive to the particular interests of the current student body and aims to have the curriculum reflect those interests. Information on current classes can be found in the academic catalog.
Altered States of Consciousness
This course is a didactic survey of the phenomena, nature, uses, and implications of those radical changes in the functioning of the pattern of consciousness that we refer to as altered "states" of consciousness (ASCs); conditions like nocturnal dreaming, hypnosis, or drug intoxicated states. Altered states are far more common, especially in the form of emotional states, than is generally recognized, and can have strong effects on the way we see the world, our selves, and others, so an understanding of them is important to all psychologists.
The objectives of this survey course are, (1) to familiarize the student with the nature of the main altered states we have reasonable knowledge about, (2) to sensitize the student to recognize the occurrence of altered states and their implications for treating the person experiencing them, and, (3) to foster sensitivity to variations in the functioning of consciousness and so be able to discern appropriate styles of cognition and action for various states. These objectives are congruent with the general ITP learning objectives of mindfulness (what state is the person I'm interacting with in, e.g., and how does that influence their view of their world and their selves?) , compassion (empathizing with the apparent absolute truthfulness of an emotional state, e.g., and so being able to communicate more effectively), appreciating differences (the assumption that we are all in the same "normal" state of consciousness and so see the world the same way, e.g., is quite misleading) and discernment (seeing how, e.g., each state gives a particular view of the world that seems true within that state, but that must be understood in a broader context to move closer toward real truth).
Psychology of States of Consciousness
This course presents first, second, and third person ways of knowing and transpersonal states of consciousness, and explores the relationship of what and how we know who we are in our essential being. The historical role of inner empiricism in legitimizing transpersonal knowing is contrasted with a newer approach called participatory epistemology. The ordinary state of consciousness is shown to be a construction of the mind. Definitions of states of consciousness depend on where the boundaries between them are drawn. Standards are affected by cultural worldviews and individual differences in experience. The evaluation of functional benefits also varies by culture and personal experience. Recent scientific studies will be assigned which suggest the non-local nature of consciousness, rather than confirming states of consciousness as simply inner experiences. The course will conclude with the consideration of some leading transpersonal theories that utilize developmental or clinical criteria for the correlation of states of consciousness. It also presents phenomenological criteria for multidimensional comparisons cross-culturally.
Culture and Consciousness
This course explores the potential for a creative alliance between transpersonal psychology, the anthropology of consciousness, cultural psychology, and American ethnic studies. The anthropology of consciousness studies explores the diversity in the nature of human consciousness and altered states cross-culturally. Cultural psychology is a new interdisciplinary field of research at the interface of psychology, anthropology, and philosophy. Based on the premise that culture and psyche make up each other, cultural psychology promotes international theory-building and research on the various domains of psychological functioning. Its expressed aim is to document and explain divergences in the way in which the psyche functions across different ethnic and cultural groups. American ethnic studies are rapidly developing in the fields of African-American studies, Chicano/Latino studies, Asian-American studies, and Native-American studies.
As cultural psychology and American ethnic studies begin to converge, they are forming a powerful challenge to the Euro-American bases of social psychology. Together with the anthropology of consciousness, they also have the potential to impact the current foundations of transpersonal psychology, which has up to now been based on perennialist and modernist grand paradigms. These challenges will bring a new reflexivity to transpersonal psychology, along with opportunities to recast its fundamental assumptions. The impetus is for transpersonal psychology to become a more inclusive, potentially global inquiry into human consciousness that nonetheless has the flexibility to generate appropriate constructs for the specific ways cultures and ethnicities shape psyches.
Transpersonal Research Group: Psychomanteum
The psychomanteum is a quiet, darkened booth where one sits and gazes into a mirror, which creates a mild altered state. The research group has explored this altered state as a way of facilitating an apparition, a reunion, or contact with a deceased relative or loved one. The group found that the experience significantly reduced grief, sadness, guilt, and other effects of bereavement.
Additional research will be conducted with the psychomanteum in relation to imagery, problem solving, creativity, and spiritual growth experiences. Physiological monitoring, the study of consciousness field effects, and environmental sensors will be utilized with members of the pod, in preparation for applying them in formal research protocols.
The goals of the course are to teach research skills, using the psychomanteum process as a hands-on project. Students will be doing research, experiencing the psychomanteum, and taking others through the process. This is a prime example of a transpersonal research approach, in which the researcher is an intrinsic part of the process of transformation and healing.
Dreams, Intuition, and ESP
Transpersonal processes such as dreamwork enhance personal growth and sometimes change attitudes. This course is designed to enhance understanding of dreams, ESP, and intuition in order to deepen understanding of self and others. As we become partners with our dreams we come to recognize dreaming and intuition as a methods of self-discovery and as a practical tool for guidance in everyday life. We will also examine the state of Extra Sensory Perception as a natural phenomenon and as a practical and personal tool, and include structured self-reflection processes in the work.
During the course, students will develop an ongoing dialogue with a variety of ways of working with dreams. Students will experiment with incubating dreams for specific purposes. Students will also learn to recognize and improve the effectiveness of the way intuition is used in everyday life. Students will examine current theories about the source and function of intuition, and compare these models to other non-rational modes of perception. In addition, students will gain understanding of ESP and how it has been explored and researched in the past. Students will participate in exercises designed to recognize and develop ESP skills. Discussions will focus on the relationship between parapsychology and dominant scientific paradigms, as well as reflect upon personal beliefs on ESP, as well as social biases regarding ESP.