Regeneration in Peaks and Plateaus

Abstract:

STEs represent an opening in the aperture of consciousness. These events commonly reveal that there is more to us than we usually perceive and more to this moment than we are aware. Perhaps of most significance is actually not the event itself, but instead the integration of its offerings into our daily life. We can think of this as the work of psychospiritual development or regeneration.

Yet there is sometimes a failure to integrate both momentous experiences as well those small opportunities for growth that come our way almost daily. In considering our role as psychospiritual allies, we will look briefly into several specific cases of childhood experiences and the arc of their long–term development into adulthood to understand some key elements of integration for both children and adults. Near the end of his life Maslow recognized a distinction between peak and plateau experiences. His unfinished work provides a partial frame for the task of integration of STEs and for psychospiritual growth in general.

Presenter Bio

Tobin Hart, Ph.D. is father, professor, psychologist, author and consultant. He serves as professor of psychology at the University of West Georgia, as well as co-founder of the ChildSpirit Institute, a nonprofit educational and research hub exploring and nurturing the spiritual life of young people and adults. His research and practice explores human consciousness, centering on how we know, especially knowing characterized as contemplative, intuitive, empathic, or inspired. His interdisciplinary work emphasizes psychospiritual integration applied to psychotherapy, spirituality, and education. His recent books include: The Four Virtues, The Integrative Mind: Transformative Education for a World on Fire, and The Secret Spiritual World of Children.