Interview with Sean Saiter, Transpersonal Psychology Scholar

Sean speaks eloquently and at length on the topics that turn him on.  He is a zaadzster on a mission.  His mission?  For starters, to challenge the assertion that the field of Transpersonal Psychology is 'dead' by demonstrating its validity in our modern world.  Readers, your challenge is to read this interview and join in the conversation, here, in the comment section of the interview, or with Sean directly, about what Transpersonal Psychology is and is not and how it is changing our world.

Hi Sean.  You were an early adopter at zaadz. You joined in February of this year. Why did you join and how did you hear about it?

My friend, Nomali Perera, invited me to join zaadz shortly before I left Colorado to start my new life in California.  I was skeptical at first, but then I decided to just jump in.  I haven’t regretted it since. 

Why did you decide to move to California?

My long, convoluted academic career finally summated in pursuing a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. That's my only reason for moving out here, to pursue my calling and vision.

Well, that and the weather is nice.

What will be happening at the upcoming ATP-ITP Conference this September? Why is Transpersonal Psychology such an exciting field for you and those in it?

First part to your question:  I am expecting the conference to be important to those in the field. The transpersonal thing tends to fly under the radar so to speak, which is part of the reason why, from what I can tell, Ken Wilber seems to think the field is “dead.” I don't agree with him, naturally.  I just think he has his own vision and that it doesn't necessarily coincide with the field of Transpersonal Psychology anymore. I want your readers of this interview to always remember that there are many angles on what it means to be “integral.” Wilber's is only one.  That being said, this conference is celebrating 100 years of Transpersonal Psychology.  Most of the contemporary pioneers in the field will be there:  Stan Grof, Frances Vaughan, Stanley Krippner, and Charlie Tart, to name a few (Charlie will be my faculty advisor at ITP). 

Second part: Well, I think that consciousness research is the cutting-edge of human evolution on this planet as incarnated beings. I realize that this is a loaded statement but from where I am standing I see a universe of infinite possibilities. The reality we are living in now, on this planet, as human beings, is part of an overall (K)osmic reality (realities). The only field of serious inquiry (other than the newer forays provided by Wilber’s Integral aspirations), that not only honors this vision and the recognition of spirit and still operates within and from a very pragmatic and, dare I say, scientific base, is Transpersonal Psychology.  Whatever you’ve heard, Trans Psych is incredibly valid.   


For someone just encountering the field for the first time, how would you explain what that means in one sentence?

Psychology deals with the individual. Transpersonal literally means “beyond the personal.” In psychology the personal is generally synonymous with the ego. So, Transpersonal Psychology is a whole-person, fully-lived study of not only the egoic realm of human life but that which goes “beyond.” Well, that's not one sentence, but I hope I'm getting closer.

Ok, we follow.  So this includes things like, dreams, dying, post-death…is that right?

Yes.  Transpersonal Psychology is a vision and study of the higher aspects of human nature and consciousness, in general.  Mysticism, near-death experiences, out-of-body experiences, “flow” states, psi, dreams and lucid dreaming, trance dancing, meditation and meditative states, spiritual practice, cultural influences on said beliefs and experiences, those are a few topics someone in this field might study.  (note from Gwen:  you can learn about this and more at Sean's pod)

However, that is only one side of the equation. It is so much more, as well.

Can you tell us about the program you’re entering?

Well, let's see. The program.

It is a four to five year Ph.D. program with a few specializations to choose from. I've declared my interest in pursuing the Research and Education specialization which means that I want to pursue an academic career, essentially. That sounds like I'm simplifying it at bit.  Let me clarify.  Really, I love talking about and exploring issues around and about consciousness. The awe that comes from trying to make sense of this multiverse is what I want to inspire and help people come alive to. I want to inspire this awe in others and continue the important and pioneering work by writing and researching these topics.

I also want to challenge and move past people's assumptions of the physical world as being the only thing there is and what defines “reality.”  Oh, there is just so much to say about this!

I can see that it is something you're passionate about.  Is there one area in particular that you excel at?

I have two, what I call, “tendencies.” One is the generalist view. It is why I have been so influenced by Ken Wilber's work, whom I was first introduced to at a young age. It is the “integral” approach where I'm always trying to see the “big picture.”

The second thing that I am absolutely on fire with and that I want to focus my research on is what is called “survival of consciousness.” Basically, I am interested in the issue of our life beyond bodily death. OBE's, NDE's, mediumship, channeling, reincarnation, and the like are what this is all about. OBE's and lucid dreams, in particular, are my specialty and I have sought to make them not only my academic research interests but my spiritual practice as well.

Do you think Transpersonal Psychology has the potential for changing the world, or at least changing paradigms?

Yes, of course I do.  I wouldn’t dedicate my whole life and career to something that didn’t have absolute relevance to what it means to live life on this planet if it didn’t.  I want to know what the hell is going on just as much as the next person and I believe that this field is one of the best ways of exploring our context in the universe.  I also believe it is a sacred place one can go to learn about the deeper mysteries.  Although it’s not for everyone I do believe that it has already made a significant change in the world and will continue to do so in the future.

Let's switch gears a little.  Actually, that's a pun, because I am referring to your hobby, cycling.  What lessons have you learned from biking?

I guess you could say it's my hobby. I consider it part of my life. I just love to ride a bicycle. To me, a bicycle is a beautiful invention. It is a rideable work of art.  Did you know that since it was developed, the essential diamond-frame design has not changed one bit? Sure, there have been other designs but there is something about the design that just works. The only thing that has changed is the materials. I guess what I am saying is that the bicycle is one of the world's  perfect inventions. It is practically impossible to improve upon, other than the materials one uses to make it.

I did not know that.

When I ride, it is very focused. I love the whole-bodied, floating over-the-ground, one-track mind quality of the bike.  A well-tuned bicycle is the essence of flow. It is PURE flow.  It encourages the same in one's awareness.

What books are you reading right now?

I'm reading four: My main read right now is a book called Astral Projection and the Nature of Reality by John Magnus. I'm also reading The Conscious Universe: The Scientific Truth of Psychic Phenomena by Dean Radin and I'm trying to truly do justice to Michael Murphy's voluminous tome The Future of the Body: Explorations into the Further Evolution of Human Nature. I'm also reading, in fits and spurts, a book called Money and the Meaning of Life by Jacob Needleman. I just finished Miracles of Mind by Targ and Katra and I’m also working on the new issue of "The Entheogen Review."

Is this your reading list for school?!

No, I read this shit for the fun of it. Really. I just ordered my school books a few days ago. They should be here any day now.  I guess I’ll have to make a few amendments in my reading list.

Ok, describe the ideal girl.

She's gotta be smarter than me, quick witted, very cute, and has to laugh a lot.  I love a good laugh. It just melts me. I mean, a sense of humor is very important ‘cause I can get a little serious sometimes.  She’s gotta be able to conversate very well and be open to philosophical debate on everything imaginable without taking any of it personally. I think out loud and need someone who can meet me here.  Oh, and if she can ride a bike, that's just icing on the cake.

Ladies, you getting this?  An ideal date would include:

Umm, this is difficult. Do you mean the situation or the person?

Situation.

It's simple really. Quality alone time going out to dinner would be nice. I love good food and good conversation. I'm pretty traditional this way, I guess.

What's one of the best restaurants you've discovered since moving to Cali?

Oh! There's this superfantastic Jordanian place in Palo Alto called Kan Zeman. They make the finest falafel plate, bar none.

Your message to all the zaadzsters out there?

Oh shit. Now I'm on the spot, eh? Okay, here goes nothing: Don't Panic.

Nice. Why would we panic?

Actually, that's not my message, that's Douglas Adam's message. An addendum: My message to the folks in Zaadz-land:  Try to remember, things always look better in print.  Really think about this in relation to navigating the often confusing world of consciousness studies, philosophy, and spirituality.  Keep an open yet critically discerning mind.  Oh, and, above all, be honest with yourself. 

Be honest.  Boxers, briefs or boxer-briefs?

What a silly question. Boxer-briefs of course! I can't believe you would ever even doubt that one!

Ha ha, I ask all my interviewees. What will I do when I get a girl to interview?

Lace, silk, or cotton?

Ha ha, cotton of course! I do yoga!

Cotton is much sexier.

On that note…Sean, it has been good fun interviewing you! Best of luck as you start school in the next few weeks. We will watch your blog for updates.

Live long and prosper. Nanu-nanu.

Geek.

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Thanks for reading!  Stay tuned for next month's interview (hopefully a girl!!).  To subscribe to the interview blog, click 'add to notifications' in the upper right hand corner of this screen.

If you or someone you love (at zaadz) would like to be interviewed, please message me with a) why you/they should be interviewed b) what you/they are doing to change the world and c) something either funny or quirky about yourself that I can exploit during the interview.  Cheers! 

*Please let me know if you find any factual errors in this or any other interview.