What is transpersonal?

Transpersonal means “beyond the personal.”

It’s a complex concept that has many usages. It’s most often found in psychology, spirituality, consciousness studies, and personal development.

I think of transpersonal in a broad way, as an ever-present aspect of our multilayered experience.

Often, I use the phrase “microcosm/macrocosm” to express my sense of the transpersonal;

it is the continuous unfolding process of unique individual experiences embedded within complex ecosystems.

This aspect can be found, witnessed, and called upon in every moment of life.

In Transpersonal Sessions we strive to make this aspect conscious and engage it in a hands-on, healing, in-depth, curiously unfolding manner.

I view the practice of accessing the transpersonal aspects of our lives as a central opportunity to move towards greater wholeness in the modern Western world.

The transpersonal is what has been increasingly split off and denied as cultures around the world have become “modernized” and “civilized.”

Through both deepening into our personal experiences in a contemplative way while also expanding beyond the personal realm, we realize our true nature as beings embedded and deeply interwoven within something intricate, mysterious, and magnificent.

Through holistically engaging our experiences, the egoic “i” meets and intertwines with the larger “I” aspects of community, earth, and cosmos.

When we access the transpersonal layers and integrate them into our understanding of ourselves, life takes on greater depth, and we are able to tap into vast sources of inspiration, vitality, and strength.

What are transpersonal sessions?

The transpersonal sessions I offer are geared toward your unique psychospiritual process and journey.

I follow your lead and companion you into your unique soulful terrain and offer a few tools along the way to help deepen, distill, and nourish what innately unfolds.

Transpersonal Sessions may incorporate reflective listening, dreamwork, astrology, meditation, visualization, and divination.

I can combine any of these or focus on one, depending upon the client’s needs and wishes.

Why do people want a transpersonal session?

People come to Transpersonal Sessions for many reasons.

Sometimes, it is simply because they want inner clarity– some clients see the sessions as sacred time set aside for deep self care.

Occasionally, clients bring particular concerns or goals to focus on– perhaps they want to enhance their meditation abilities or delve into creative development.

Or a recurring nightmare could compel someone to schedule a session to explore the meanings of the dream.

Frequently, clients are facing major transformation and change and seek Transpersonal Sessions as an anchor through the transitional time in their life.

Perhaps a new facet of personality or identity is surfacing; many clients benefit from the safe, confidential, nonjudgmental nature of Transpersonal Sessions.

Often, people come for Transpersonal Sessions when they want to consciously make more space in their lives for spiritual practice.

These are frequently individuals who feel something has been missing in their lives and/or that the standard religious practices of their cultures of origin did not seem to provide the deeper connection they find themselves longing for.

Exploration in Transpersonal Sessions is often catalyzed by a nagging feeling of needing to find something individualized and unique, and yet needs to connect to something bigger than oneself.

Sometimes, a person may simply be curious.

For instance, maybe someone has never had an astrological or divination reading, and they just want to see what it’s like.

Or maybe they have tried meditating but had difficulty getting into it on their own.

Another common reason for seeking Transpersonal Sessions occurs when people have recently had powerful psychospiritual experiences and want the space and support to properly integrate the experiences.

Perhaps someone has had profound breakthrough experiences during holotropic breathwork sessions, religious or spiritual practices, or though psychedelic sessions.

Often, it takes awhile to unpack such massive transformational events, and transpersonal sessions can offer a container for exploration and integration.

Life offers plenty of opportunities for deeper opening into Self.

Archetypal experiences with birth or death can sometimes feel overwhelming, and simply having someone to share these experiences with can bring unexpected insights that enrich and nourish one’s life.

There are countless reasons one could benefit from a Transpersonal Session.

Are sessions individual or group, and where do they take place?

Sessions can be one-on-one or group– primarily online.

Most sessions take place via Zoom so that I can send a recording afterwards.

How long does a session last?

A session lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

What do you do in a session?

We begin and end by punctuating the sessions with centering exercises that help delineate that our time together is sacred and distinct from the rest of the day.

The session content is then determined by the specific needs of the client(s).

The following section outlines tools frequently used in sessions.

Frequent components include the following:

• Guided Meditation & Visualization
• Dreamwork
• Synchronicity as Spiritual Practice
• Divination
• Exploration of Active Archetypal Energies
• Development of Personal Symbol System
• Connection to Land, Animals, & Elements
• Astrology (evolutionary & archetypal)
  • natal
  • transit
  • synastry (relationships)
  • fixed star
  • astrocartography (the influence of particular place)
• Co-created rituals
  • seasonal
  • rite of passage
  • grief release
  • women’s circles
  • moon circles
• Energy work
  • chakra system
  • auric clearing

Can a session focus on one process or tool?

Absolutely! Your sessions can focus on whatever you want!

My job is to track your process, reflect it to you, and follow your lead!

Do you offer retreats or workshops?

Yes! I organize retreats and workshops that incorporate diverse body-mind-spirit modalities such as yoga, Pilates, acupuncture, healing touch, grief work, holotropic breathwork, meditation, and so on.

I love collaborating with practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds and trades to provide versatile, exciting new healing and psychospiritual development possibilities.

See my Events page to explore past events, and feel free to contact me if you would like to brainstorm some ways to tailor an event for your family, friends, or community.

Are you available for community action projects?

I developed a transpersonal community action research protocol and am available to help you organize and develop similar projects in your own communities.

For more information about the protocol (which is evolving), you can read about it by downloading my dissertation here.

Or to read about a past project, Doing Death Differently Decorah, click here.

How much does a session cost?

• General Astrology: Combines natal and transit reading, sometimes includes astrocartography, chart copies provided, and session recordings in audio and video: $150/90 minutes

• Solar Return Birthday Readings: Includes an externally sourced 60-70 page report, chart copies, audio and video recordings, and pivotal dates and themes for the year ahead: $200/90 minutes

• Couples Readings: Combines two natal charts in synastry, session typically conducted with both parties present, helps understand relational dynamics, includes audio and video recordings and chart copies: $300/90 minutes

• Fixed Star Readings: Analysis of parans between natal chart and fixed stars, a much more ancient type of astrology that reflects the you that you were before you came into this life; a deeply soulful reading that expands beyond the scope of typical astrology; includes copies of charts, summary of parans, video of fixed star images and information, and audio and video recordings of session: $350/120 minutes

Group rates differ depending on the type & specifics of group. Contact me to discuss details.

I also offer free and minimally priced community classes from time to time, so keep an eye out for those here!

How do I make payments?

Payments are made through Venmo– @dramberbalk.

Payment required at scheduling to secure appointment.

***24-hour Cancellation Policy***

***Appointments cancelled after will not be refunded.***

***Anything beyond 15 minutes late for an agreed upon appointment time is treated as a no-show. No-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled.***

Disclaimer:

The transpersonal sessions that I offer do not constitute or serve as a substitute for psychological treatment, therapy, or psychoanalysis. I do not utilize a pathology-based model and therefore do not diagnose or treat mental illness. I am trained in discerning the difference between psychospiritual challenges and psychological crisis that requires intervention, and I am able to make referrals if psychological or psychiatric work is necessary.