PSY 502: Spiritual PsychologyRobert Frager, Ph.D. This course will examine the spiritual implications of major western philosophies including Freud, Jung, Roberts, and Maslow. It also compares Western psychologies with the Eastern spiritual psychologies found in Yoga, Zen Buddhism, and Sufism. Student Outcomes for This CourseOutcome #1: Students will be able to identify basic concepts and dynamics of Western personality theories, including Freud, Jung, and Maslow. Students will be able to relate these concepts and dynamics to issues in spiritual psychology. These basic concepts include the Freudian defense mechanisms, Jungian archetypes, and Maslow's concept of self-actualization. Outcome #2: Students will be able to identify the models of human nature to be found in the Eastern spiritual traditions of Yoga, Zen Buddhism and Sufism. Students will relate these concepts and dynamics to issues in spiritual psychology. The basic dimensions of the Eastern traditions studied include the Buddhist concept of enlightenment, the Sufi notion of the opening of the heart, and the yogic model of purification of mind and body. Outcome #3: Students will be able to discuss other key issues found in both Western and Eastern psychologies including; comparing the role of a spiritual guide or teacher with the role of a therapist or counselor, the importance of process rather than outcome on the path of personal and spiritual growth, the role of the individual self or soul, the basic obstacles to growth--including the role of the ego and the instincts.
Required ReadingFrager & Fadiman, Personality and Personal Growth. New York: Addison, Wesley, Longman, 6th edition, 2005. ISBN 0 13 144451 4 May, Gerald, Will and Spirit. San Francisco, Harper & Row, 1987. ISBN 0062505823 Resources for Further Reading SPIRITUAL PSYCHOLOGY : Bakhtiar, L., Sufi: Expressions of the Mystic Quest. Avon, 1987. A different approach; symbolic, geometric, with beautiful illustrations. Ozak, M., Love Is the Wine (R. Frager, ed.). Threshold Books, 1987. This book is a collection of conversations of a Turkish Sufi master with American dervishes, and talks given to American audiences. Shiekh Muzaffer skillfully interprets the depth and wisdom of the Sufi tradition in a manner that is clear and comprehensible to a modern American audience. Frager, R. Heart Self and Soul. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books, 1999. A detailed look at the Sufi tradition through the lens of psychology and spiritual growth. Filled with inspiring stories and effective spiritual exercises. Rumi, J., Open Secret (J. Moyne & C. Barks, Transl.). Threshold Books, 1984. This is one of the best short collections of Rumi’s poetry. There are several other excellent short collections by Barks. See, especially, his anthology Essential Rumi (1995), San Francisco: Harper San Francisco. ARCHETYPAL PSYCHOLOGY: ——(2) (Ed.) Man and His Symbols. Aldus Books, 1964. Contains an extremely clear essay called by Jung “approaching the Unconscious.” The book is amply illustrated, one of the best integrations of text and pictures in psychology. There is an inexpensive Dell paperback edition, but the Doubleday hardcover edition has more photos, many in color. ——(3) Collected Works of C. G. Jung. (H. Read, M. Fordham, & G. Adler, Eds.) Princeton University Press, 1967. (Published under the sponsorship of the Bollingen Foundation; English edition, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul; American edition volumes issued 1953-1967, Pantheon Books.) For those seriously interested in exploring Jung in depth, this includes virtually all of Jung’s writings. ——(4) Analytic Psychology: Its Theory and Practice. Pantheon Books, 1968. A clear account of Jung’s theories, containing transcripts of a series of lectures he gave in London. Note: Many of Jung’s essays are now available in paperback editions. Of special interest are: Two Essays on Analytical Psychology, an overview of the entire theoretical system, and Psychological Types, especially Chapter 10, “General Descriptions of Types,” and Chapter 11, “Definitions,” both of which describe the major Jungian concepts. TRANSFORMING OUR DEFENSES: —--(2). A General Introduction to Psycho-Analysis. Washington Square Press, 1916. Two courses of lectures given at the University of Vienna. Given to and for students. ——(3). A General Selection From the Works of Sigmund Freud (John Rickman, ed.) . Doubleday, 1957. Readings taken from different parts of Freud’s work. An excellent collection. PSYCHOLOGY OF CONSCIOUSNESS: Tart, C., States of Consciousness. Dutton, 1975. A systems theory approach to understanding consciousness. Provocative and thoughtful theorizing about changes in states of consciousness. Ornstein, R., The Psychology of Consciousness. Viking, 1972. A textbook on consciousness. Comprehensive and clearly written. FURTHER REACHES OF HUMAN NATURE: ——(2) Motivation and Personality (3rd ed.). Harper & Row, 1987. A psychology textbook that provides a more technical treatment of Maslow’s work, including motivation theory, the need hierarchy, and self-actualization. ——(3) The Farther Reaches of Human Nature. Viking Press, 1971. In many ways, Maslow’s best book. A collection of articles on psychological health, creativeness, values, education, society, meta-motivation, and transcendence: also, a complete bibliography of Maslow’s writings. MYSTICAL PSYCHOLOGY: PART I - YOGA Mascaro, J., The Bhagavad Gita. Penguin Books, 1962. A good easily obtainable translation. Prabhavananda, Swami, & Isherwood, C. (Transl.), The Song of God: Bhagavad Gita. New American Library/Mentor Books, 1951. Readable, easily translatable. ——(2) How to Know God: The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali . New American Library, 1953. Very good, easily obtainable, but a somewhat Westernized translation of the Yoga sutras. MYSTICAL PSYCHOLOGY: PART I - YOGA Ram Dass, Baba, Be Here Now. Lams Foundation, 1970. A modern, “hip” interpretation of Yoga, including sections on meditation techniques and other disciplines, the transformation of Richard Alpert into Baba Ram Dass, a spiritual reading list, and an inspiring interpretation of Indian philosophy and Yoga through integrated text and pictures. Yogananda, Paramahansa, The Autobiography of a Yogi. Self-Realization Fellowship, 1972. A classic account of yogis and yoga training in India. Excellent introduction to the Indian tradition. MYSTICAL PSYCHOLOGY: PART II - BUDDHISM Kapleau, P. (Ed.) The Three Pillars of Zen. Beacon Press, 1965. Includes lectures on training and meditation by a contemporary Zen master and first-person accounts of Zen training experiences. Kennett, J., Zen is Eternal Life. Dharma Publishing, 1976. Includes an excellent introduction to Zen Buddhist thought, two newly translated classic Zen works, and the major Zen scriptures and ceremonials. For the serious Zen student. Lal, P. (Transl.) The Dhammapada. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1967. Fine translation of a major Buddhist scripture. Phone Conferences: Mondays, July 9 and August 13, 2007 From 5:00 to 6:00 P.M., PacificCoast time, all students participate in these conferences with Dr. Frager. The first conference will also give you an opportunity to clarify any questions you may have about the course. Each conference has been designed around lectures and topics. See Phone Conferences with Faculty for the conference calling process. Topics for First Conference Call – July 9 (1) Review tapes 1 - 3
(2) Be prepared to discuss the possible applications of spiritual psychology (3) Be prepared to discuss limitations of spiritual psychology Topics for Second Conference Call – Tuesday, August 13 (1) Review tapes 4 - 10
(2) Be prepared to discuss your own approach to spiritual psychology (3) Be prepared to discuss the major tools of spiritual psychology Email Discussion Group: Email discussion groups encourage group discussion on the topics, issues and concepts presented in each course. Students are encouraged to use this discussion forum to share their ideas, insights and questions with one another. A single email message reaches all students and the faculty member at one time. This discussion group has also been put in place to help remove some of the geographic isolation which may be felt between students, and add an extra link to the natural and vital bond that develops in any spiritual community. All students with a current email address listed with Holmes Institute are automatically subscribed to the email discussion group for this course. Use this email address: If you desire to respond to an individual in the group, please use his/her personal email address on your class roster or consult the Faculty Directory for Summer Quarter 2007. Course Outline - Weeks 1 through 3This outline gives a brief description of how to pace your self-study and gauge your progress in the required course activities throughout the academic quarter. Lesson Objectives: Required Readings: Frager & Fadiman text: Introduction, first half of Chapter 1-Freud, Chapter 2-Jung, Chapter 15-Sufism
Lecture Tapes: Listen to tape lectures 1 - 3 Assessment Experience #1: First feedback paper. Discuss Jung’s concept of “archetype,” including the significance of this concept in personal and spiritual development (2-3 pages). In addition, read the section in the Freud chapter on Anna Freud and the Defense Mechanisms, and discuss which defense mechanism has been the most active in your own life (2-3 pages). Your paper is to be submitted by email only to rfrager@niyet.com on or before Monday, 7-16-2007. Course Outline - Weeks 4 through 7This outline gives a brief description of how to pace your self-study and gauge your progress in the required course activities throughout the academic quarter. Lesson Objectives: Objective #3: Student is able to identify models of human nature found in Eastern spiritual traditions of Yoga, Zen Buddhism and Sufism. Objective #4: Student is able to select key issues in spiritual psychology. Required Readings: Fadiman & Frager text: second half of Chapter 1-Freud, and Chapter 3-Adler, Chapter 4-Horney, Chapter 11-Rogers
Lecture Tapes: Listen to tape lectures 4 – 7 Course Outline - Weeks 8 through 10Lesson Objectives: Objective #5: Student describes in writing the basic concepts and dynamics of Western personality theories including those of Freud, Jung and Maslow. Objective #6: Student will be able to clearly articulate in writing theories covered in the course and relate these theories to the field of spiritual psychology. Required Reading: Fadiman & Frager text: Chapter 12-Maslow, Chapter 13-Yoga, Chapter 14-Zen
Lecture Tapes: Listen to tape lectures 8 - 10. Assessment Experience #2: Final paper. Discuss spiritual psychology, based on the concepts of self-actualization found in Rogers and Maslow. What are the implications of these concepts for developing a the field of spiritual psychology. You may add other concepts covered in this course that you have found to be especially compelling. (5 pages). Your final paper is to be submitted by email only to rfrager@niyet.com on or before Friday, August 27, 2007 .Guidelines for SuccessEach feedback report should be a thoughtful, reflective paper which relates theory with experiences, and offers creativity as well as a critical assessment. THE TWO FEEDBACK PAPERS MUST BE EMAILED TO DR. FRAGER. NO FAXES OR MAILED PAPERS ACCEPTED. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. Incompletes will not be given unless there are exceptional circumstances. Students are strongly encouraged to read the summary on how to write better papers in the introductory section of this Progress Guide. The information provided there and references cited offer excellent guidelines for effective writing and construction of well-organized papers.
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