Books by Jorge Ferrer
Papers by Jorge Ferrer
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 2024
This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participato... more This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participatory approach to transpersonal and spiritual phenomena (Ferrer, 2002, 2017a). To that end, I first respond to several criticisms of the approach issued by scholars in recent years; for instance, that it hides a perennialist metaphysics (e.g., Abramson, 2015) or that it is metaphysically vague (e.g., Taylor, 2021). After reviewing these critical
discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic,
treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 2024
This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participato... more This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participatory approach to transpersonal and spiritual phenomena (Ferrer, 2002, 2017a). To that end, I first respond to several criticisms of the approach issued by scholars in recent years; for instance, that it hides a perennialist metaphysics (e.g., Abramson, 2015) or that it is metaphysically vague (e.g., Taylor, 2021). After reviewing these critical
discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic,
treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
Both in everyday life and scholarly discourse, monogamists and polyamorists tend to unfavorably p... more Both in everyday life and scholarly discourse, monogamists and polyamorists tend to unfavorably portray one another as somehow flawed, misguided, or, in a word, “inferior.” This article documents and critically examines two pairs of interlocked psychosocial attitudes—monopride/polyphobia and polypride/monophobia—mediating this predicament of mutual competition in the context of Western mononormative culture. The ideological nature of these “mono–poly wars” is demonstrated through a brief review of empirical literature on the psychological health and relationship quality of monogamous and polyamorous individuals and couples. The article concludes by outlining a critical pluralist approach that eschews universalizing hierarchies between monogamy and polyamory, and provides tools for making qualitative distinctions within and among relational styles.
Psychology and Sexuality, 2017
While the traditional understanding of monogamy and nonmonogamy as polar opposites has been decon... more While the traditional understanding of monogamy and nonmonogamy as polar opposites has been deconstructed, the conceptual and experiential territory beyond the non/monogamy system (and attendant mono/poly binary) has not been systematically discussed. This article considers three plural relational modes—fluidity, hybridity, and transcendence—that disrupt and arguably outdo the non/monogamy system. Moving beyond the mono/poly binary opens up a fuzzy, liminal, and multivocal semantic-existential space this article terms nougamy. After describing several transbinary pathways, the article concludes by sketching a critical pluralist approach that eschews universal sequences or hierarchies among monogamy, nonmonogamy, and nougamy, as well as provides tools for the making of qualitative distinctions both within and among relational styles.
Keywords: monogamy, nonmonogamy, polyamory, non/monogamy system, nougamy
This article examines the evolution of participatory thinking in transpersonal studies and relate... more This article examines the evolution of participatory thinking in transpersonal studies and related disciplines since the publication of Revisioning Transpersonal Theory . Following an introduction to participatory spirituality, the paper discusses three ways this approach has been understood in the transpersonal literature: as disciplinary model, theoretical orientation, and paradigm or paradigmatic epoch. It then reviews the influence of the participatory turn in transpersonal studies, consciousness studies, integral education, and religious studies. After responding to Wilberian-integral, astro-archetypal, and participatory critiques, the article concludes with reflections about the nature and future of the participatory movement.
A growing consensus is emerging among transformative educators about the need for an integral edu... more A growing consensus is emerging among transformative educators about the need for an integral education that incorporates all human dimensions-body, vital, heart, mind, and spirit-into the learning and inquiry processes. This article presents a case study of a graduate-level course as an example of an integral and participatory approach to transformative learning with potential implications for the future direction of integral education. The course's aim was to inquire individually and collectively into collaboratively formulated spiritual questions, using methods that encouraged integral ways of knowing. After describing the course and summarizing its multidimensional learning outcomes, the authors conclude that it is in the intentional integration of all human attributes in the inquiry process where lie immense possibilities of expanding the fruits and span of transformative education in the academia.
Book Reviews by Jorge Ferrer
2017). Participation and the mystery: Transpersonal essays in psychology, education, and religion... more 2017). Participation and the mystery: Transpersonal essays in psychology, education, and religion. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. 386 pages. ISBN10: N/A ISBN13: 978-1-4384-6487-9. Hardcover. $95.00. Reviewed by Elizabeth M. Teklinski. Transpersonal theorist Jorge N. Ferrer has spent much of his career exploring the implications of a participatory world view to questions central to transpersonal 68
Revolutions in human thought seldom take place in a single clean sweep. Whether in science or phi... more Revolutions in human thought seldom take place in a single clean sweep. Whether in science or philosophy, religion or art, major advances always emerge in a particular context and with a specific historical background that deeply shape and even constrain the way they unfold. A paradigm shift will often be initiated by a distinct, extraordinary break from the past-a kind of declaration of independence-yet this initial breakthrough will retain from the old paradigmatic structure certain essential and usually unexamined assumptions that limit the success of the new vision.
do, why do we continue living this way? Why don't we put down our portfolios, our latest book pro... more do, why do we continue living this way? Why don't we put down our portfolios, our latest book project, our need to get little Sammy into Princeton, and make all this stop?
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Books by Jorge Ferrer
Papers by Jorge Ferrer
discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic,
treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic,
treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
Keywords: monogamy, nonmonogamy, polyamory, non/monogamy system, nougamy
Book Reviews by Jorge Ferrer
discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic,
treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic,
treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
Keywords: monogamy, nonmonogamy, polyamory, non/monogamy system, nougamy