Transpersonální psychologie se snaží systematizovat mimořádné stavy vědomí, které jsou v jiných kulturách vysoce oceňovány, ale v kultuře západní jsou často zaměňovány s duševním onemocněním. Transpersonální psychologie proto přichází s konceptem psychospirituální krize, který má sloužit k odlišení těchto stavů od skutečných duševních nemocí. Koncept psychospirituální krize je odbornou veřejností většinou odmítán, ale jeho systematičtější kritika stále chybí. Článkem se autor pokouší věcně poukázat na problémy spojené s tímto konceptem a pomoci tak vyplnit tuto mezeru. Upozorňuje na vágnost kategorie psychospirituální krize a odhaluje řadu vnitřních rozporů transpersonalistické teorie. Poukazuje na to, že některé stavy, jež transpersonalisté označují za psychospirituální krizi, vůbec neodpovídají kritériím, která pro ni sami stanovili. Článek se též vymezuje vůči nepřijatelnému hodnotovému zatížení této kategorie. Koncept psychospirituální krize totiž vychází z konkrétních náboženských idejí. Jde přitom o ideje, které se do značné míry překrývají s idejemi hnutí New Age. V této souvislosti si stať klade otázku, zda je transpersonální psychologie vědeckou disciplínou, nebo spíše náboženským hnutím. Článek předkládá důvody, proč je třeba se přiklonit spíše k druhé možnosti. and Critical analysis of the concept of spiritual emergency
Transpersonal psychology attempts to systematize extraordinary states of consciousness, which are highly appreciated by other cultures, but in the Western culture such states are often confused with a mental disorder. Therefore transpersonal psychology has created a concept of spiritual emergency, which should be used to distinguish these states of consciousness from real mental disorders. The concept of spiritual emergency is usually rejected by the experts, although there is still lack of its systematic critique. Author is trying to fill up the gap and to point out critically some problems related to this concept. He draws reader’s attention to haziness of the concept of spiritual emergency and discover range of internal contradictions of the transpersonal theory. For instance, some states considered by transpersonalists to be spiritual emergency do not comply with their own criterions. Paper also objects to its undesirable value burden. It is unsuitably value laden term, since the category is grounded in specific religious ideas. These ideas overlap with ideas of New Age movement to a large degree. In this context the author raises the question, whether transpersonal psychology is a scientific discipline or rather a crypto‑religious movement. The article proposes some arguments why it is not appropriate to regard transpersonal psychology as a scientific discipline.
The Czech spiritual market is today as developed as that of western European countries. De-traditionalised and individualised holistic milieu has created a demand for spiritual literature and magazines as well as other marketable goods (“magic” stones, amulets, horoscopes, natural drugs etc.). This paper attempts to analyse the character and sources of contemporary best selling spiritual literature and its readership in the Czech Republic. It also provides a case study of a Prague spiritual bookshop and its comparison with five other Czech spiritual outlets (including an Internet outlet). The results clearly show that marketing spirituality has become a mainstream phenomenon with regard to all gender, age and class categories, although there was found to be an over presence of older middle-aged women among the buyers. There is emphasized “churchless” and “nonreligious” character of the buyers and the best selling books, that include predominantly those referring to “modem” and “esoteric” western or “ethnic” spiritualities. The supply side comprises both special and general publishers, the former having been more successful in specialised bookshops and spirituál outlets and the latter in addressing the wider population (including via the Internet).