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Spirituality in Psychology

The History of the Higher Self and Superconsciousness


Silhouette of a head with a staircase leading into the light, with a person at the entrance.

The Higher Self and Superconsciousness are central concepts that represent the intersection between psychology and spirituality. These terms describe states and levels of consciousness that go beyond the everyday ego and allow for deeper insights, spiritual experiences, and self-realization. Over time, various theorists and psychologists have developed and interpreted these ideas from different perspectives. Here is an overview of the origins, development, and differences in these concepts.



Carl Gustav Jung: The Self as the Center of Wholeness


Carl Gustav Jung was one of the first notable psychologists to address the concept of the Self. In his Analytical Psychology, he defined the Self as the center of the entire personality, integrating both conscious and unconscious aspects. His model of individuation describes the process through which a person integrates their inner conflicts and unconscious aspects to achieve wholeness. For Jung, the Self-represented the ultimate goal of human development, where the conscious and unconscious parts of the individual merge into a harmonious unity. Jung emphasized the importance of the collective unconscious, which contains archetypal symbols and universal patterns that lead to a deeper understanding of the Self.


Although Jung did not directly use the term "Higher Self," his concepts reflect the spiritual dimension of human consciousness. The process of individuation and the discovery of the inner Self can be understood as a journey toward a deeper level of consciousness that transcends the everyday ego.



Roberto Assagioli: Superconsciousness and Psychosynthesis


Roberto Assagioli, founder of Psychosynthesis, explicitly dealt with the Higher Self and Superconsciousness. Unlike Jung, who focused heavily on the unconscious, Assagioli directed his attention to Superconsciousness, which he saw as a source of inspiration, intuition, and spiritual wisdom. Assagioli introduced Superconsciousness as a transpersonal area of consciousness that goes beyond the ego and encompasses spiritual values, ideals, and a deeper dimension of being.


In Psychosynthesis, the Higher Self is described as a transpersonal Self that transcends the conscious and personal Self. Assagioli distinguished between the personal Self, which represents the conscious ego, and the Higher Self, which represents the spiritual center of the individual, connecting them to higher ideals, universal values, and spiritual wisdom. For Assagioli, Superconsciousness is the part of consciousness that allows us to access these higher spiritual dimensions and guides us toward the transcendence of the Self.



Abraham Maslow: Self-Actualization and the Higher Self


In positive psychology, the concept of the Higher Self is central to Abraham Maslow, particularly in relation to self-actualization. Maslow considered self-actualization to be the highest point of human development in his hierarchy of needs. He saw the Higher Self as the expression of a person's full potential, going beyond the fulfillment of primary needs to seek a deeper meaning, truth, and authenticity.


Maslow observed that self-actualized individuals, through their pursuit of a deeper meaning in life and their ability to be authentic, develop a special relationship with their Higher Self. These individuals are able to overcome their own egotistical needs and focus on greater, universal goals. The Higher Self, in Maslow's theory, is closely linked to the idea that individuals live out their full human potential and, in doing so, find deeper meaning and fulfillment in life.



Richard Schwartz: The Higher Self in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model


The concept of the Higher Self is also a central element of Richard Schwartz's Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. Here, the Higher Self is defined as the core of the personality, embodying qualities such as compassion, clarity, and calmness. In IFS, the Higher Self is an already present resource that helps resolve internal conflicts and create harmony among the different parts of the psyche.


Schwartz emphasizes that every person possesses an inner guide, represented by the Higher Self, that helps integrate the various aspects of personality. This integration leads to an inner balance, allowing individuals to make conscious decisions and live in harmony with their values and goals. The Higher Self in the IFS model is a healing force that allows individuals to recognize and heal their inner wounds while developing a deeper understanding of the multiple facets of their personality.



Spiral Dynamics: The Higher Self as Transpersonal Consciousness


In the theory of Spiral Dynamics, which describes the development of human consciousness through various stages, the concept of the Higher Self is reflected in the higher levels, particularly in the yellow (integral) and turquoise (holistic) levels. At these stages, consciousness becomes transpersonal, the ego is transcended, and the individual recognizes their connection with the world and the universe. Here, the Higher Self is understood as a form of transpersonal consciousness that not only promotes personal growth but also fosters awareness of the totality of existence.


Spiral Dynamics, developed by Don Beck and Chris Cowan, describes how human consciousness evolves through stages, each embodying different values and thought patterns. At the higher levels of development, consciousness becomes holistic, and the individual recognizes their connection to a broader universal context. The Higher Self plays a crucial role in this process, allowing individuals to overcome the separation between themselves and others and to experience a deep unity with the cosmos.



Bodynamic-System: Higher Self and Superconsciousness through Bodywork


The Bodynamic System, a body-oriented developmental psychology, closely links the Higher Self and Superconsciousness to the integration of body and psyche. In Bodynamic, muscle groups and bodily reactions play a central role as they are connected to psychological functions that emerge during various developmental stages. This system uses detailed body maps to address emotional and psychological issues by working on specific muscles and fasciae related to self-esteem, conscious decision-making, and personal dignity.


The Higher Self in the Bodynamic System is described as a deep sense of self-developed through bodywork. Through the analysis and work on muscles associated with specific psychological functions, a person can access a deeper consciousness and greater self-awareness. This awareness often leads to a sense of inner security and enables individuals to connect with others in a healthy way without sacrificing their dignity.



Ken Wilber: Integral Theory and Transpersonal Stages


Ken Wilber expanded on these concepts by developing his Integral Theory, a comprehensive model of consciousness that spans from egoic to transpersonal levels. In the higher stages of his theory, the Higher Self is understood as a transpersonal consciousness that can experience unity with the universe.


Wilber's integral model unites spiritual and psychological concepts, representing a synthesis of various approaches. He argues that human consciousness at higher levels can experience a profound unity with the cosmos, transcending the ego and connecting with universal truth.



Conclusion


The concepts of the Higher Self and Superconsciousness follow the evolution of psychological trends and reflect changes across various phases of psychology. Beginning with depth psychology, introduced by pioneers like Carl Gustav Jung and Roberto Assagioli, these concepts found fertile ground in the exploration of the unconscious and the processes of self-realization and individuation. However, with the rise of behavioral psychology, which is strongly rooted in rationalism and empirical science, these spiritual and transpersonal themes were partially sidelined in favor of a more scientific and quantitative analysis of human behavior.


A revival of these ideas came with the advent of positive psychology and later with the development of transpersonal psychology, where the Higher Self and Superconsciousness were once again recognized as essential for human growth and well-being. The focus shifted to experiences such as flow, peak experiences, and the search for enlightenment—topics that Maslow and others integrated into their work on the full expression of human potential.


Newer body-oriented psychologies, like Core Energetics (closely related to bioenergetics) and the Bodynamic System, which developed in part away from neo-Reichian influences, have reintegrated spirituality into the bodywork. These disciplines often draw on Eastern practices such as yoga and tai chi, emphasizing the integration of body, mind, and spirit, strengthening the connection between bodily awareness and spiritual growth.


Finally, the most recent wave in psychology, closely linked to the technological advancements in neuroscience, is rediscovering and deepening ancient concepts related to enlightenment and peak experiences. Modern research into flow experiences and studies on the mental states of monks and yogis are gaining significant attention. It is likely that these investigations will soon expand to create new scientific models to explain the Higher Self and Superconsciousness, offering an integrated view of mind, body, spirit, and technology.grierte Sicht auf Geist, Körper, Seele und Technologie bieten.

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