Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested
In recent years, much has been written on the role of different mental states and their potential to influence our way of thinking and, perhaps more importantly, the way we act. With the recent acceleration of environmental and mental health issues, alongside the limited effectiveness of existing in...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1051478/full |
| _version_ | 1798015367441809408 |
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| author | Amy Isham Amy Isham Patrick Elf Tim Jackson |
| author_facet | Amy Isham Amy Isham Patrick Elf Tim Jackson |
| author_sort | Amy Isham |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, much has been written on the role of different mental states and their potential to influence our way of thinking and, perhaps more importantly, the way we act. With the recent acceleration of environmental and mental health issues, alongside the limited effectiveness of existing interventions, an exploration of new approaches to deliver transformative change is required. We therefore explore the emerging potential of a type of mental state known as self-transcendent experiences (STEs) as a driver of ecological wellbeing. We focus on four types of STEs: those facilitated by experiences of flow, awe, and mindfulness, as well as by psychedelic-induced experiences. Some of these experiences can occur naturally, through sometimes unexpected encounters with nature or during immersion in every-day activities that one intrinsically enjoys, as well as through more intentional practices such as meditation or the administration of psychedelics in controlled, legal settings. We explore the evidence base linking each of the four types of STE to ecological wellbeing before proposing potential hypotheses to be tested to understand why STEs can have such beneficial effects. We end by looking at the factors that might need to be considered if STEs are going to be practically implemented as a means of achieving ecological wellbeing. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T15:32:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3024aa388f3046bd9bf3f9081ca9b689 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T15:32:19Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-3024aa388f3046bd9bf3f9081ca9b6892022-12-22T04:16:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782022-11-011310.3389/fpsyg.2022.10514781051478Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be testedAmy Isham0Amy Isham1Patrick Elf2Tim Jackson3Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP), Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, United KingdomSchool of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, United KingdomMiddlesex University Business School, Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research (CEEDR), Middlesex University, London, United KingdomCentre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP), Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, United KingdomIn recent years, much has been written on the role of different mental states and their potential to influence our way of thinking and, perhaps more importantly, the way we act. With the recent acceleration of environmental and mental health issues, alongside the limited effectiveness of existing interventions, an exploration of new approaches to deliver transformative change is required. We therefore explore the emerging potential of a type of mental state known as self-transcendent experiences (STEs) as a driver of ecological wellbeing. We focus on four types of STEs: those facilitated by experiences of flow, awe, and mindfulness, as well as by psychedelic-induced experiences. Some of these experiences can occur naturally, through sometimes unexpected encounters with nature or during immersion in every-day activities that one intrinsically enjoys, as well as through more intentional practices such as meditation or the administration of psychedelics in controlled, legal settings. We explore the evidence base linking each of the four types of STE to ecological wellbeing before proposing potential hypotheses to be tested to understand why STEs can have such beneficial effects. We end by looking at the factors that might need to be considered if STEs are going to be practically implemented as a means of achieving ecological wellbeing.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1051478/fullecological wellbeingself-transcendent experiencespsychedelicsawemindfulnessflow |
| spellingShingle | Amy Isham Amy Isham Patrick Elf Tim Jackson Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested Frontiers in Psychology ecological wellbeing self-transcendent experiences psychedelics awe mindfulness flow |
| title | Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested |
| title_full | Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested |
| title_fullStr | Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested |
| title_short | Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested |
| title_sort | self transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested |
| topic | ecological wellbeing self-transcendent experiences psychedelics awe mindfulness flow |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1051478/full |
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