The dark side of the transpersonal

Abstract

Religious traditions acknowledge that the transpersonal has a dark side. Contact with the transpersonal can be destabilising and dangerous for individuals and groups as well as enriching and life enhancing. The sense of power, numinosity and certainty generated by the encounter with the transpersonal can be abused as well as used for transformation and growth. This paper aims to explore the concept of the dark side of the transpersonal, to consider what shadow selves are, and how an understanding of these can be beneficial to individuals and to groups ranging from organisations to nation states. It will then consider how the concept of the dark side of the transpersonal can explain negative group process and how the charismatic leader can use these processes to manipulate individuals, groups and nations. It will consider how people working in healthcare need to be aware of the dark side and of shadows. The implications for healthcare, public awareness of the communications industries and politics are discussed.