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Self-transcendent experiences and sustainable prosperity

Amy Isham Orcid Logo, Patrick Elf, Tim Jackson

CUSP Working Paper Series, Issue: 32

Swansea University Author: Amy Isham Orcid Logo

Abstract

The achievement of sustainable prosperity requires the enhancement of human wellbeing alongside increased care for the environment. 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 wa...

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Published in: CUSP Working Paper Series
Published: Guildford, UK 2022
Online Access: https://cusp.ac.uk/themes/s1/wp32/
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61903
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first_indexed 2022-11-14T13:42:41Z
last_indexed 2023-01-13T19:22:59Z
id cronfa61903
recordtype SURis
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spelling 2022-11-22T11:51:14.2946459 v2 61903 2022-11-14 Self-transcendent experiences and sustainable prosperity 5fce1ddf9df54207881ee2541a8e0074 0000-0001-6089-709X Amy Isham Amy Isham true false 2022-11-14 HPS The achievement of sustainable prosperity requires the enhancement of human wellbeing alongside increased care for the environment. 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. In this working paper, we explore the emerging potential of a type of mental state known as Self-Transcendent Experiences (STEs) to deliver beneficial effects on human wellbeing and sustainable attitudes and behaviours. Self-transcendent experiences can be facilitated by experiences of flow, awe and meditation, as well as psychedelic 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 use of psychedelics. We demonstrate how each of the fouralternative types of STEs share some similar neurological underpinnings and review their links to improvements in human wellbeing and sustainable attitudes and behaviours. We also highlight potential risks across the different varieties of STEs and consider factors that need to be considered if they are to be employed as a practical means of supporting sustainable prosperity. Working paper CUSP Working Paper Series 32 Guildford, UK 4 2 2022 2022-02-04 https://cusp.ac.uk/themes/s1/wp32/ https://cusp.ac.uk/themes/s1/wp32/ COLLEGE NANME Psychology COLLEGE CODE HPS Swansea University 2022-11-22T11:51:14.2946459 2022-11-14T13:38:08.2667093 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences School of Psychology Amy Isham 0000-0001-6089-709X 1 Patrick Elf 2 Tim Jackson 3
title Self-transcendent experiences and sustainable prosperity
spellingShingle Self-transcendent experiences and sustainable prosperity
Amy Isham
title_short Self-transcendent experiences and sustainable prosperity
title_full Self-transcendent experiences and sustainable prosperity
title_fullStr Self-transcendent experiences and sustainable prosperity
title_full_unstemmed Self-transcendent experiences and sustainable prosperity
title_sort Self-transcendent experiences and sustainable prosperity
author_id_str_mv 5fce1ddf9df54207881ee2541a8e0074
author_id_fullname_str_mv 5fce1ddf9df54207881ee2541a8e0074_***_Amy Isham
author Amy Isham
author2 Amy Isham
Patrick Elf
Tim Jackson
format Working paper
container_title CUSP Working Paper Series
container_issue 32
publishDate 2022
institution Swansea University
college_str Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str School of Psychology{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}School of Psychology
url https://cusp.ac.uk/themes/s1/wp32/
document_store_str 0
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description The achievement of sustainable prosperity requires the enhancement of human wellbeing alongside increased care for the environment. 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. In this working paper, we explore the emerging potential of a type of mental state known as Self-Transcendent Experiences (STEs) to deliver beneficial effects on human wellbeing and sustainable attitudes and behaviours. Self-transcendent experiences can be facilitated by experiences of flow, awe and meditation, as well as psychedelic 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 use of psychedelics. We demonstrate how each of the fouralternative types of STEs share some similar neurological underpinnings and review their links to improvements in human wellbeing and sustainable attitudes and behaviours. We also highlight potential risks across the different varieties of STEs and consider factors that need to be considered if they are to be employed as a practical means of supporting sustainable prosperity.
published_date 2022-02-04T04:21:06Z
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