Spirituality and Gestalt: A Gestalt-Transpersonal Perspective

AbstractMany people who have participated in Gestalt therapy and training often label their experiences as having been profound and spiritual in nature. Aspects of Gestalt therapy have been connected to a variety of religious and spiritual traditions. Literature and personal experience in Gestalt circles have provided testimony to connections between a Gestalt approach and spirituality. Integrating transpersonal perspectives may provide a comprehensive and clear outline of the connections between a Gestalt approach and spirituality, a definition of spirituality, and implications for spiritual development. This article explores Gestalt theory and transpersonal perspectives and principles, such as Ken Wilber's model of spirituality and spiritual development, Wilber's Big Three model; dialogical approach to relationship; and Jorge Ferrer's “participatory knowing,” to begin to outline a relational and interactive model of spirituality and spiritual experience. This Gestalt-transpersonal framework can illustrate more clearly how spirituality manifests itself in Gestalt therapy and in the therapeutic relationship. This approach also emphasizes using the relational field as the basis for higher spiritual development in both the client and the therapist.