Transpersonal Psychology in Psychoanalytic Perspective

Michael Washburn is Professor of Philosophy at Indiana University, South Bend.

"The author has an original theory of human development and self-actualization first expressed in outline form in his Ego and the Dynamic Ground and in this book presented in its fully developed and mature form. It is now more impressive for the range of materials it integrates, for the clearness of its thought, and for the way it brings into unity Freudian thought and the highest experiences of the great mystics of both West and East." — Harold G. Coward, University of Victoria"The scholarship is impeccable, the theoretical dimension is rigorous, and the critical thinking is strong." — David M. Levin, Northwestern University"Washburn's successful rapprochement of two of the most important psychodynamic traditions—psychoanalysis and transpersonal psychology—constitutes a major theoretical contribution to psychology." — Steven M. Rosen, City University of New York, College of Staten Island

• Preface Acknowledgments Introduction 1. The Sources of Experience in Infancy The Nonegoic Core of the PsycheThe Traditional View of the Infant's ExperienceThe Nonegoic Core as a Source of the Infant's ExperienceThe Nonegoic Core and the Preoedipal "Object"Conclusion 2. Ego Formation and the Origins of Dualism in Early Childhood The Early Preoedipal PeriodRapprochement, Ambivalence, and the Splitting of the Great MotherThe Repressive Underpinnings of Object ConstancyThe Oedipus Complex and the Consolidation of Ego DominanceConclusion 3. Ego and Gender Gender Asymmetries in Preoedipal Development and Consequent Gender Disparities in Later LifeGender Variations in the Oedipus ComplexGender Differences and Superego FormationNarrow versus Wide Gender DifferencesGender Differences in the Context of Patriarchal DualismConclusion 4. Ego Development and Dualism in Latency PsychodynamicsObject RelationsEgo DevelopmentExistential Orientation: Playful Exploration of the WorldConclusion 5. Ego Development and Dualism in Adolescence PsychodynamicsObject RelationsEgo DevelopmentExistential Concerns: Identity Testing and Identity AnxietyConclusion 6. Ego Development and Dualism in Early Adulthood PsychodynamicsObject RelationsEgo DevelopmentExistential Project: Earning Being and Value—The Identity ProjectConclusion 7. Midlife Transvaluation and Pathologies of the Self The Disillusionment of the Mental EgoPathologies of the SelfDepressionNarcissismExistential SyndromeThe Divided SelfThe Borderline ConditionConclusion 8. The First Stage of Transcendence: The Dark Night of the Senses Pride Goeth Before a FallThe Inverse Law of Spiritual DevelopmentPassive PurgationAridityWeakness of WillThe Bitter Pill of Self-KnowledgeOn the Edge: Transition to the Dark Night of SpiritEmergence of the Mystery of FaithConclusion 9. The Spiral Path of Transcendence: Awakening, Regression, Regeneration Awakening: Rupture of Planes and Encounter with the NuminousRegression in the Service of TranscendenceRedemptive versus Pathological Regression: On Distinguishing the Dark Night of Spirit from PsychosisRegeneration in SpiritConclusion 10. Gender and Transcendence Empowerment versus WithdrawalJung's Conception of the Anima and Animus: A CritiqueJung's Conception of the Anima and Animus: A ReconstructionGod the Father and the Great GoddessConclusion 11. The Goal of Transcendence: Integration Features of Integrated LifeThe Marriage of the Ego and the Dynamic GroundIntegration as Goal and New Beginning Conclusion Notes References Index