A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M
N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z
A
Acupuncture
Literally meaning 'needle piercing', acupuncture is a 5,000 year-old Chinese art involving the puncturing of the body at specific anatomic points (acupoints) to treat or prevent illness.
Aikido
A Japanese martial art, invented by Morihei Ueshiba at the beginning of the 20th century. Aikido is a defensive art that utilizes circular movements to redirect an opponent's attacks.
"AI" means "to meet, come together, harmonize"
"KI" means "energy, spirit, mind"
"DO" means "the way of"
Anima / Animus
In Jungian psychology, the anima is the feminine component of the male unconscious, and the animus is the male component of the feminine unconscious.
Animism
A belief that all natural objects including plants, animals, and minerals possess souls or consciousness.
Archetypes
In Jungian psychology, archetypes are symbols deeply embedded in the psyche that structure human experience and convey universal meanings.
Art therapy
Art materials are used as therapeutic devices for accessing and expressing feelings, visualizing desired outcomes, working through traumatic wounds, increasing self awareness, and promoting spiritual growth.
Astrology
The study of the positioning and movement of the heavenly bodies in order to discern their effects on personalities, relationships, and major events in people's lives.
Ayurveda
An ancient Hindu healing art that seeks to integrate mind, body, and spirit. This holistic approach includes diet, herbal remedies, exercise, meditation, and breathing exercises as core aspects of the practice.
B
Buddhism
A major religion and philosophical tradition founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in the 6th century BCE. The basic message of Buddhism is that life is full of suffering, and is an endless cycle of births and deaths. The suffering can be ended by attaining enlightenment through elimination of the ego and desire.
C
Chakra
Literally, a Sanskrit word meaning “wheel,” a chakra is a center of energy, or consciousness, located in the astral body as well as the physical body. The seven major chakras, which run from the base of the spine to the top of the head, are said to hold dormant spiritual energy that can be awakened to flow through the body.
Channeling
The process of receiving information from an external source of consciousness or a spirit guide.
Chi / Ki / Qi
In Chinese medicine and philosophy, the universal life force that is essential for good health and vitality. The chi is closely associated with breath, and can be generated through breathing techniques.
Christianity
The largest monotheistic religion, founded by the prophet Jesus decades before the dawn of the Common Era. The basic message of Christianity is one of human equality and the importance of forgiveness and cooperation among all people. Followers of Jesus, who believe the prophet to be the Son of God (Christ), also believe that adherence to the teachings of Jesus will result in salvation of the soul after corporal death.
Clairvoyance
The ability to perceive events or objects not present to the senses; intuitive insight.
Collective unconscious
A term coined by Carl Jung that refers to an aspect of the unconscious mind containing collective memories, experiences, and wisdom shared by all humans.
Complexes
Developed by Carl Jung, complexes are constellations of unconscious processes which influence one’s behavior and personality (i.e., an immature young woman who had a domineering father who constantly seeks the approval of older men may be said to have a “father complex”). A core concept in analytic psychoanalysis, the uncovering of one’s complexes may facilitate growth toward individuation.
Concentrative Meditation
A form of meditative practice during which one sharpens the ability to attend to the present through focus on an object (a candle) or an action (breathing).
Consciousness
The state of awareness of one’s existence through emotions, thoughts, and sensations.
Contemplation
A deep state of reflection or thought often equated with prayer, but not related to one specific religious tradition.
Creative Expression
A therapeutic modality utilizing creative processes (movement, music, visual art, storytelling, etc.) as methods through which one may explore core issues and healing potentialities. The Institute offers a specialization in creative expression in both our Residential and Global programs.
D
Dark Goddess
A deity/archetype found in all cultures, associated with the crossroads of death and transformation, of transition and renewal. She is manifested in mythology as various kinds of death crones, wise hags, devastation, war, disease, and barrenness of the land. Some of her names are Hecate, Persephone, Medusa, Ereshkigal, Ix Chel and Kali.
Dervish
A Sufi, a member of a Sufi Order. Best known are the “whirling” dervishes; their order was founded by Jelaluddin Rumi, the great Sufi philosopher and poet.
Dream Work
A psychospiritual modality which explores one’s dreams, either individually or in a group setting, seeking paths toward healing and wholeness within the symbology and multiple layers of meaning communicated within dreams.
E
Ecopsychology
A branch of psychology that focuses on the relationship between the natural world and human psychological processes. Ecopsychology concerns itself with healing the split between human culture and the natural world.
Emotional Intelligence
The ability to recognize one’s emotions and to effectively regulate and manage one’s emotions to promote growth.
Enlightenment
A state of consciousness marked by the absence of suffering or desire according to the Buddhist tradition. In the Yoga tradition, enlightenment is illumination or union with the Self.
Enneagram
Historically, an ancient Sufi geometric symbol that was central to a set of esoteric teachings. This symbol is presently used as a spiritually oriented system of personality types.
F
Forgiveness
A state in which one has relinquished resentment toward another for an insult or offense.
Flow
Developed by the psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, this term represents a state in which one is engaged in a goal-regulated, meaningful activity and is so completely absorbed in the process that one loses all sense of time. Flow is considered a positive, productive, and desirable state.
G
Guru
A spiritual or philosophical teacher.
H
Hatha Yoga
A form of Hindu spiritual practice utilizing physical postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama) to unify the body and mind and fill the body with essential life force.
Heuristic Research
Developed by Clark Moustakis, this research method places a topic or experience of relevance to the researcher at the core of inquiry. Often includes self-reports and values non-traditional forms of knowing such as intuition and body-knowledge.
Hinduism
Credited as the oldest major religion (between 3102 BCE and 1300 BCE), and third largest, it is present worldwide and encompasses a variety of practices and beliefs. No one being is credited with the creation of the religion, but the Veda serves as guiding sacred text to all Hindus. Four primary beliefs are central to most Hindus: Dharma (natural principles), Reincarnation, Karma, and Moksha (liberation). Hindu belief posits that all beings are reincarnated repeatedly until Moksha is attained and one rejoins God or the Universal Spirit.
Holotropic Breathwork
According to its founders, Stan and Christina Grof, holotropic means “moving toward wholeness” and comes from two Greek words: “ ‘holos’=whole and ‘trepein’=moving in the direction of something.” It is a process involving specific breathing exercises. Through the breath one enters an altered state of consciousness during which one’s psyche may engage in a healing process.
Humanism
A philosophical system of thought which focuses on the values, needs, and interests of human beings utilizing rationality without recourse to gods or deities, religions, or sacred texts.
Hypnosis
An altered state of consciousness involving heightened awareness, increased suggestibility, and focused concentration.
Hypnotherapy
The clinical use of hypnosis used for a variety of psychological purposes, such as working with addictions, bad habits, phobias, chronic pain, and emotional trauma, as well as preparing for competitions, improving confidence, and instilling positive thoughts and feelings.
I
Integral Psychology
Indra Sen, a devotee of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, is credited with originally defining this discipline; incorporating mind-body-spirit, as well as consciousness and the unconscious processes into the study of the whole human. Philosopher Ken Wilber also embraces theory and practice from a variety of psychologies in an effort to create a more inclusive discipline, which he has coined as “integral.”
Intuitive Inquiry
A hermenuetical research method that integrates both subjective and objective methods.
Islam
The second largest religion worldwide, this monotheistic religion was founded by the prophet Muhammad circa 570-632 CE. The core beliefs held by followers is a strict adherence to monotheism—“There is no god but God.” In addition, most Muslims (believers in Islam) adhere to six principle beliefs proclaimed through the Muslim creed: "I believe in God; and in His Angels; and in His Scriptures; and in His Messengers; and in The Final Day; and in Fate, that Good and Evil are from God, and Resurrection after death be Truth. I testify that there is nothing worthy of worship but God; and I testify that Muhammad is His Messenger."
J
Judaism
One of the first recorded monotheistic traditions, the religion and culture of the Jewish people are intricately bound together. The patriarch Abraham is considered the first Jew, holding to the tenets of strict monotheism and devotion to God only, however the religion is non-creedal, meaning that no one creed or dogma holds for all Jewish people. Much of Jewish tradition and early history has been recorded in sacred texts including the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. Worship within the religion is incorporated into everyday activities and actions in addition to the celebration of sacred or holy holidays.
K
Kabbalah
Literally meaning 'to realize', the kabbalah is a mystical interpretation of Jewish scriptures.
Karma
The law of moral cause and effect; also a person's moral merit/demerit according to one's actions and (more so) the inner intentions or motives which accompany them in terms of their conformity/non-conformity with dharma. One's karma is said to entail one's rebirth in order for that karma to be realized or fulfilled, and to determine the circumstances of that subsequent life. Attainment of moksha is thought to eliminate the production of karma (in the second sense) altogether, and to bring to an end the cycle of rebirth (samsara).
Kundalini
Dormant spiritual energy said to be located at the base of the spine. When this energy, symbolized by a coiled sleeping serpent, is awakened, it ascends the chakra system and reaches the crown chakra. Once it stabilizes in the crown, the individual becomes an awakened being.
L
Logotherapy
A form of existential psychotherapy developed by Victor Frankl. Focused on the human will and one’s search for meaning in life, the therapeutic process is a process of accompanying a client on a personal search for and definition of meaning in the client’s life.
Lucid Dreaming
A process through which one becomes aware that one is dreaming, then achieves a level of lucidity within the dream that allows one to consciously observe or alter the dream.
M
Mantra
A form of meditation in which a sacred syllable, word, or verse is chanted repeatedly with the aim of emptying the mind and entering a meditative state. In some spiritual traditions, the mantra is said to have incantational and spiritually transformational powers.
Meditation
A practice through which, generally, the body is in a relaxed state and the mind is encouraged to enter a state of relaxation, calmness, and focus. Meditation is, in itself, not a religion, but has been incorporated into spiritual and religious practices throughout the world.
Mindfulness Meditation
The practice of training the mind to stay aware of one's moment-to-moment experience.
Mysticism
A word, of Greek origin, that has acquired a wide array of meanings. Mysticism is the element of religion concerned with attaining a direct experience with God or the Universe.
N
Near-Death Experiences
Experiential phenomena reported by individuals who nearly died or were clinically dead and revived. Findings have suggested some common experiences in NDEs, including hovering above the body, moving through a tunnel, encountering dead loved-ones, and meeting a being made of light before returning into the body.
O
Out-of-Body Experiences
About one in ten people report having had an OBE, which is an experience of being outside of one’s body (generally a floating sensation) and seeing one’s body from a distance. The cause of the phenomenon is still not known, but for some it occurs spontaneously, while for others it appears to be triggered by physical threat or the ingestion of drugs or alcohol.
P
Paranormal
Phenomenon which cannot be explained by modern scientific theories.
Parapsychology
The scientific study of communication or interaction between organisms and their environment beyond means explained by modern scientific theories.
Peak Experiences
Those moments in life when one experiences intense feelings of joy, love, and/or excitement. These experiences may be triggered by, among other events, an interaction with nature, great art or music, or feeling love from another person. The theory was developed by Abraham Maslow, one of the founders of transpersonal psychology.
Phenomenology
A 20th century philosophical movement originated by Edmund Husserl, dedicated to describing the structures of experience as they present themselves to consciousness, without recourse to theory, deduction, or assumptions from other disciplines such as the natural world.
Precognition
The ability to perceive information about future places or events before they happen without using deductive reasoning or prior knowledge of events leading up to the event predicted.
Psychosynthesis
A theory of human development and as well as a systematic practice which can be applied in psychotherapy, education, and medicine; developed by Roberto Assagioli in 1910. Its focus is synthesis of the various parts of an individual's personality and spiritual dimensions into a more cohesive whole.
Q
Qi Gong / Chi Kung
A Chinese system of practices involving the development of one's life energy, or Qi. Qi Gong practitioners engage in gentle breath and movement exercises that harmonizes this energy
Qualitative Research
Research methods that focus on meaning and understanding, instead of causality, as a central aim. Such methods include participant observation, direct observation, field work, unstructured interviewing, case study, content analysis, and focus groups.
R
Reiki
Literally meaning “universal life energy,” reiki is a Japanese system of energy work. Reiki practitioners use gentle hand placement in order to align chakras and channel energy to the recipient.
Reincarnation
A word of Latin origin meaning “to come back to the flesh.” Reincarnation is the cyclical birth and rebirth a soul undergoes as it evolves toward a state of perfection.
Remote Viewing
The ESP process of producing information, mostly visual in nature, about a person, place, event, or object that exists in a remote location
S
Sacred Feminine
A sacred archetype manifesting qualities traditionally viewed as feminine in nature; such as, among other things, intuition, meditation, dreams, relationships, mystery, dreams, nature, the body, and receptivity.
Self-Actualization
Defined by Abraham Maslow, one of the founders of transpersonal psychology, as “the full use and exploitation of talents, capacities, potentialities, etc.” It is an ongoing process of using one’s capacities fully, creatively, and joyfully. Self-actualizing people are generally committed to a vocation or cause beyond their sole personal interests.
Shamanism
An ancient tribal healing practice involving dream work, visualization, chanting, movement, and drumming to achieve an altered state of consciousness. Cultures that practice shamanism believe that the deepest dimension of life is spiritual. Healing takes place through the shaman, acting as an intermediary, making a journey to the spirit world to reconnect the participant to the source of life.
Somatic Psychology
A discipline that integrates various types of body work and psychotherapies. Two basic assumptions of somatic psychology are: 1) the body and mind function as a single, integrated whole, and 2) painful experiences are stored in the body and can be addressed by working directly with the body.
Spiritual Emergence / Emergency
Spiritual emergence is the natural emergence of an individual's spiritual capacities. Spiritual emergency takes place when this process is characterized by a chaotic disruption of one's ability to function in life. Spiritual emergence can include (but are not limited to) such phenomenon as out-of-body experiences, occult phenomena, precognition, clairvoyance, astral travel, and perception of auras.
Spiritual Guidance
A process of accompanying people on their spiritual journey. Founded on the understanding that Spirit lives within the hearts of each of us and within all creation, spiritual guidance is a partnership between the mystery we call Spirit, the client, and the guide. The Institute offers a specialization in spiritual guidance in both our Residential and Global programs.
Sufism
Islamic mysticism.
T
Tai Chi
A martial art involving mental concentration, gentle movements, and breathing in order to promote increased well being.
Taoism
A Chinese religion and philosophy that perceives nature and the universe to be in a state of constant flux. Taoism seeks to return humans to a harmonic relationship with this state of perpetual change.
Tarot
A system of divination that involves a deck of card symbols.
Telepathy
The ability to communicate from one being to another (inter- and intra-species) without the use of additional communications tools such as speech or gestures.
U
Unconscious
That part of the mind or psyche where mental processes occur for which the individual has no awareness. Popularized by Freud, and also utilized by Jung, unconsciousness accounts for behavior, emotion, and actions not explained through conscious processing.
V
Vision Quest
A Native American rite of passage ritual in which an adolescent goes to an isolated area to seek a vision that connects the individual to the spiritual realm.
W
Wicca
A neopagan religion, founded by Gerald Gardner in the 1940s in England (although the origins of the tradition are debated still among the Wiccan community). Generally, Wiccans worship the Goddess and the God (or Horned God) and the religion’s rituals are closely tied to the changing seasons, also known as the Wheel of the Year.
X
Y
Yoga
An ancient Indian spiritual discipline that has several major branches. It involves a system of mental, physical and spiritual exercises that train the practitioner to gain control of one's body and mind in order to attain enlightenment.
Z
Zen Buddhism
A form of Buddhism that emphasizes meditation over any particular scriptural doctrine.