Maine Integrative Wellness | Transpersonal Therapies

Transpersonal therapies engage the creative, multi-dimensional right hemisphere of the brain, often neglected in favor of the dominant linear left hemisphere. They constitute a holistic approach to emotional health. These therapies seek a balanced development of the intellectual, emotional, spiritual, physical, social, and creative expression aspects of a person's life. Transpersonal psychology and therapies are spiritual in nature. They recognize the inherent human drive toward wholeness, toward oneness, toward connecting with and experiencing the divine.

Science studies dreams and dreaming from many angles. Some research focuses on the bio-physiology of dreaming and sleep and what influences these processes, while other research looks into the content of dreams and what influences them. Some scientists are interested in why we dream, other in how we dream, and still others on the functions that dreams serve.

Science does not really know why we dream, but there are many theories which each have their own supporters. The theories range from dreams being a meaningless to dreaming serving a critical role in the cyclical structure and maintenance of physical and psychological well being.

Here are some of the more popular science theories on dreaming:

Researchers also notes that dreams do different things at different times in our life. During fetal development, dreams seem to be hard-wiring the brain, while later in life, they seem to be more involved with soft-wiring. History tells us that in early civilizations and still in many indigenous tribes, dreams were and are explored for the information they can reveal about the individual and the group. Classical Greeks developed very sophisticated techniques for using dreams to diagnose and cure illnesses.

To work with dreams means remembering and exploring the dreams from sleep with an eye to their deeper meanings. Each one of us is uniquely blind to the deeper meanings of our own dreams, and dream work helps us see what amazing gifts are there, just below the surface of "manifest content" and obvious appearance. Dreams are also the tools of transformation - sometimes referred to as "the voice of God" (Jung). Moreover, at a certain level of inner work, dreams stop being dreams and instead become spiritual levels of consciousness. But, in the meantime, dreams open invisible doors to subtler levels of spiritual growth, awakening in seekers of truth and wisdom, our permanent witness or soul within our conscious selves. Dreams provide symbols and archetypal images to waking consciousness. The process of making our unconscious consciousness is what dream work is all about.

Meditation as a form of alternative medicine brings about mental calmness and physical relaxation by suspending the stream of thoughts that normally occupy the mind. Generally performed once or twice a day for approximately 20 minutes at a time, meditation is used to reduce stress, alter hormone levels, and elevate one's mood. There are many forms of meditation, for example, sitting meditation, walking meditation, martial arts, and other creative forms of cultivating mindfulness.

Contemplative practices are methods incorporated into our daily life as a reminder to slow down, focus, and feel more connected to ourselves, our work, and our environment. They can help you stay calm and centered in the midst of the activity and distraction that fills everyday life.

Contemplative practices have helped people develop greater empathy and communication skills, improve focus and concentration, reduce stress and enhance creativity. Over time, they cultivate insight, inspiration, and a loving and compassionate approach to life. Contemplative practices are practical, radical, and transformative.

The concept of contemplative practice is as old as the world's religions. Every major religious tradition includes forms of contemplative practice, such as prayer, meditation, and silent time in nature.

Download a 1.32 MB, 8" x 10" .gif image of the Tree of Contemplative Practices (The image will open in a new window).

Spiritual direction is the process of accompanying others on a spiritual journey. Spiritual direction exists in a context that emphasizes growing closer to God (or the holy or a higher power), and it invites us to a deeper relationship with the spiritual aspect of being human. Spiritual direction has the ability to:

Like all counseling methods spiritual direction works on the simple, practical level of problem solving and learning how to transform the difficult issues we all have to deal with in our lives. While psychotherapy concentrates on the mind and the emotions, spiritual direction works on the level of the soul by gently inviting us to reconnect to our true self and the source of our being - the great mystery we so often refer to as God, the divine, or universal consciousness, and unlike psychotherapy the focus of spiritual guidance is not on fortifying the self but on the unfolding relationship between that self and God. It is the guide's role to help nurture intimacy between the seeker and God.