Week 6C: Discussion - Topic Selection Revisit

Week 6C: Discussion - Topic Selection Revisit
***As you begin to write your final paper for this course, now is a good time to revisit the topic that you selected during a contemplation/reflective activity in week 4. The first draft of your paper will be due at the end of next week, week 7, and as such, let us reflect upon both your topic and the path that you have walked throughout this course.

Assignment:
Post a reflection of no more than 250 words. As you reflect, consider the following questions: How has your topic worked on you since you selected it in week 4? What research have you conducted since that time? What research is still necessary before you can complete your first draft? Additionally, please respond to the reflection posts of at least two (2) other students in a space of honoring their journeys and the topics that they have selected. 


Aaron Giles

Nov 8 11:38am

Reply from Aaron Giles
Throughout this course, my ideas for the final paper have evolved quite a bit. At the beginning, my topic felt broad and unfocused, but as we continued exploring different areas of transpersonal psychology I am feeling more prepared. Each week’s readings have expanded my perspective and helped me refine what truly interests me.
Although I haven't completed as much formal research as I hoped yet, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what feels meaningful and gathering relevant sources. I was pleasantly surprised to discover how much existing research has already been published on my chosen topic. Searching through the library was so helpful. I found many articles that align with my topic, which has helped me feel more supported to write it.
I am planning to explore how Buddhist mindfulness practices can inform and enhance Western therapeutic approaches. Many scholars and clinicians have already written about the integration of Buddhist psychology and mindfulness in therapeutic contexts, which gives me a strong foundation to build from. My personal process tends to involve a lot of contemplation before writing, once my ideas feel clear more clear in my head, I sit down and synthesize everything in a focused burst.
At this stage, I don’t feel that I am lacking sources. The next step is to organize what I’ve gathered into a clear outline and begin shaping it into the final paper.


LK
Lai Man Kan

Nov 8 6:58am| Last reply Nov 8 11:41am

Reply from Lai Man Kan
After fixing the topic of my final paper, I have conducted research on the journal articles which are relevant and I found several articles which inspire me and give me a clearer picture of what I should include.  My topic is about our hero’s journey (soul journey) and why it has to go that way.  After reading all the materials I have collected (in addition to my favourite books), I have a more in-depth understanding of what I have been learning from my spiritual practices and classes. Writing this final paper is a very good way to consolidate my knowledge and experiences.  Further research may not be needed as I have plenty of articles and reading to do already.



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Thomas Travers

Nov 6 11:11am| Last reply Nov 7 7:35am

Reply from Thomas Travers
My final paper deals with Transpersonal Psychology and how meditation and reflection can influence coaching. I am intrigued by Wilbur and his writings on this topic. Now, I am finding there is so much more information I need to research. Getting ready to write is still far off for me as I am not even close to finishing the readings necessary for writing. 



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Michael Bell

Nov 6 8:10am| Last reply Nov 7 1:25pm

Reply from Michael Bell
My topic is a detailed description of how I handled my wife's struggle with cancer. The past few weeks in this course have brought many new memories to mind. She died 16 years ago. our studies surprised me as to the degree of transpersonal psychology I subconsciously used in her support. I have done a lot of research and will continue to do so in order to see what professionals wrote that can help me explain what ai went through



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Scott Sudduth

Nov 5 2:39pm| Last edited Nov 7 1:26pm| Last reply Nov 8 11:46am

Reply from Scott Sudduth
In addition to some of the class readings I have compiled two books on Holotropic work by Stanislav Grof, as well as currently scouring through the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology for some supporting articles. The topic has stuck with me and I’m still interested in exploring the effects of healing as experienced through holotropic work, and I look forward to digging a little deeper into Grof and his writings. 
 



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Amanda King

Nov 5 1:58pm| Last reply Nov 7 6:53am

Reply from Amanda King
The topic for my final paper is intergenerational trauma. Since choosing this topic, I have considered the implications of inherited family trauma and the long-standing, detrimental effects it can have on one’s psyche. I privately observe my friends and family through this lens and can see how profoundly it can shape one’s life. In some cases, I observe individuals overcoming challenging patterns, and in other cases, I observe struggles with addiction and mental health.
I have used the Sofia library and google scholar to research my topic, and have found numerous articles to inform my paper. I will continue to study and educate myself on the impacts and how intergenerational trauma is transferred. There are many healing modalities available, which offer hope to individuals and communities that it is possible to break the limiting beliefs and cycles that intergenerational trauma inflicts.



 

 

Rick

My proposed idea for a topic for Week 4 is "Transcendental Meditation as a mechanism for integrating childhood peak experiences (CPEs) into adult transpersonal development". TM has deepened my engagement with the material, prompting daily sessions that surface latent memories as entangled cognitions in the unified field. Since selection, this focus has "worked on me" by revealing non-assimilated CPEs from age 7 (a nature-induced unity state dismissed by family), now reframed through Schlarb's (2007) non-assimilation impacts and Armstrong's (1984) evidence of innate spiritual access. TM's effortless settlement to pure consciousness operationalizes this integration, yielding structured empathy via neurophysiological coherence, as EEG studies show 40% increased alpha waves post-practice (Travis & Shear, 2010).Research conducted: Reviewed 15 studies on TM's effects on memory recall and emotional regulation (e.g., reduced cortisol by 30%; Infante et al., 2001); analyzed Shear (1981) on Platonic archetypes via TM-Sidhi for CPE parallels; cross-referenced with Ruumet's (1997) helical cycles for non-linear assimilation. Still needed: Quantitative data on group TM for intergenerational CPE healing (e.g., via Dillbeck et al., 1987 model); interviews with TM practitioners on dark night navigation; outline for therapeutic protocols linking SCI to Grof's holotropic work.This topic reinforces SCI's replicable path to wholeness (Maharishi, 1995), transforming personal peaks into societal coherence.

References
Armstrong, T. (1984). Transpersonal experience in childhood. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 16(2), 207–230.
Dillbeck, M. C., Cavanaugh, K. L., Glenn, T., Orme-Johnson, D. W., & Mittlefehldt, V. (1987). Consciousness as a field: The Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program and changes in social indicators. Journal of Mind and Behavior, 8(1), 67–104.
Infante, J. R., Torres-Avisbal, M., Pinel, P., Vallejo, J. A., & Ortíz-Colón, A. M. (2001). Self-control and stress response: Effects of Transcendental Meditation on reductions in psychological stress. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 92(1), 181–193.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. (1995). Science of being and art of living: Transcendental meditation. Maharishi University of Management Press.
Ruumet, H. (1997). Pathways of the soul: A helical model of psychospiritual development. Presence: The Journal of Spiritual Directors International, 3(3), 6–24.
Schlarb, C. W. (2007). The developmental impact of not integrating childhood peak experiences. International Journal of Children's Spirituality, 12(3), 249–262.
Shear, J. (1981). Maharishi, Plato and the TM-Sidhi program on innate structures of consciousness. Metaphilosophy, 12(1), 72–84.
Travis, F., & Shear, J. (2010). Focused attention, open monitoring and automatic self-transcending: Categories to organize meditation. Consciousness and Cognition, 19(4), 1083–1091.