Explore how transpersonal coaching supports personal transformation and spiritual awakening. Learn the principles of Open Awareness, the coach’s role, and the impact on both client and coaching relationships.
Can coaching processes lead to transformation or spiritual awakening? If so, what is the role of the transpersonal coach? What does this type of coaching involve and what might be the implications of such processes concerning both coach and client, as well as their coaching relationship?
In order to understand if coaching have the potential to result in personal transformation, it is important to have a clear understanding of what transformation means and why it is a significant component of transpersonal coaching. Transformation, according to Taylor (2013), involves a series of experiences that challenge an individual's existing sense of self, leading to the development of a new identity characterized by shifts in values, beliefs, attitudes, and lifestyle choices. Meanwhile, Lasley et al. (2015) suggest that transformation is a significant and profound change that emerges from a heightened level of awareness, inspiring individuals to adopt a fresh perspective on life and explore new possibilities. In the realm of transpersonal psychology, transformation is regarded as one of the three central themes, as outlined by Hartelius et al. (2007). This branch of psychology is characterized as a "psychology beyond ego," which focuses on the entirety of a person within a connected world, and aims to promote transformation.
Transpersonal coaching is a powerful tool for transformation (Whitmore, 2009). Through Transpersonal Coaching approach, clients can transition from a self-centred perspective to a higher level of consciousness (Law, Lancaster & DiGiovanni, 2010), allowing them to surpass their self-imposed limitations and beliefs (Dängeli, 2017). These self-imposed limitations and beliefs that clients have towards their presenting issues are often a result of a tunnel awareness (Dängeli, 2017, p. 27).
Clients usually seek transpersonal coaching services due to feelings of stress, overwhelm, or burnout, as noted by Dängeli (2015). Based on years of experience in clinical practice, Dängeli found that clients' problems often stem from what he refers to as "tunnel awareness." This refers to a state where a person's focus of attention is limited, and their perception of their current state is fixed. Transpersonal coaching aims to broaden and expand this limited perspective by creating a collaborative experience between the coach and client with Open Awareness (OA) (Dängeli, 2019). When a person broadens their awareness, they become less fixated on the problem and the narrow perspective it creates. This allows the tunnel vision to dissipate, enabling the client to tap into their inner wisdom and true potential. The true value lies in the interactive process where both the coach and the client are in a state of Open Awareness simultaneously. This transitional space, known as the "liminal space," is open, receptive, emergent and promotes transpersonal insight and understanding (Dängeli, 2021). It is a boundary between two distinct territories: the known and unknown. Changes in perspective have the potential to bring about significant transformation, and if the new understandings are integrated into a client's physical, emotional, mental, relational and spiritual being, great healing can occur. If the client is willing, transpersonal coaching can create a space for the possibility of spiritual awakening and personal growth by integrating previously hidden or shadow aspects of the psyche. As Rumi puts beautifully, “The wound is the place where the Light enters you”. We all experience suffering in life, but we can transform only if we are willing to unmask the unknown. I also believe the transformation might happen gradually because we do not know how discovering the true meaning of an attuned human being will transfer into the clients life. Dängeli puts it beautifully in the Trauma and Coaching interview, by saying “you never know how far the change will go. So just expect that change is happening”.
References
Dängeli, J. (2019). Open Awareness Handbook. authentic-self-empowerment.com.
Dängeli, J. (2021). The Transpersonal Coaching Handbook. https://jevonDängeli.com/product/transpersonal-coaching-handbook/
Dängeli, J. (2015). Retrieved from https://jevonDängeli.com/transpersonal-psychology/
Hartelius, G., Caplan, M., & Rardin, M. A. (2007). Transpersonal psychology: Defining the past, divining the future. The Humanistic Psychologist, 35(2), 135–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/08873260701274017
Lasley, M., Kellogg, V., Michaels, R., & Brown, S. (2015). Coaching for Transformation: Pathways to Ignite Personal & Social Change (2nd ed.). Discover Press.
Law, H., Lancaster, B., & DiGiovanni, N. (2010). A wider role for coaching psychology – applying transpersonal coaching psychology. The Coaching Psychologist, 6(1), 24–32. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpstcp.2010.6.1.24
Taylor, S. (2013). The peak at the nadir: Psychological turmoil as the trigger for awakening experiences. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 32(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.24972/ijts.2013.32.2.1
Whitmore, J. (2009). Coaching for Performance: Growing Human Potential and Purpose (4th ed.). Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
