Rhythm as an archetypal element of the psyche : a transpersonal perspective

M.A.The nature of this study exerts to reveal the connection between archetypes and rhythm, through a transpersonal orientation, that acknowledges a transcendent Self The backbone of this study, is guided by the transpersonal hallmarks which include a spiritual essence, nonduality, underlying unity of diversity or holism, a variety of manifestations of being, intrinsic health, both positive and negative aspects of humanness, self-transcendence and self-transformation. These are concepts that weave themselves through out the study. The secondary focus concerns how shifts in states of consciousness occur for transcendental experiences to occur. The interest in these experiences is as a result of the understanding that they potentially bring about a greater sense of Self and well-being. The holistic approach of the transpersonal paradigm is useful for an analysis of archetypes, as it provides continuity and coherence when considering the nature of archetypes, for the main goal of the archetypal Self is to become an integrated unified whole. The archetype is described as, primordial images with a numinous character that emerge from an innate, universal pre-existing principle of organisation. How the concept of the archetype fits within the psyche is mapped in the location of the collective unconscious. A distinction is made between the archetype-as-such, which is the underlying unseen structure, and the archetypal image, which is the manifested content of the structure. The archetype functions within the psyche from the principle of organisation and self-regulation. The properties of a self-organising system are remarkably like those of the archetype. To give due respect to both sides of the same coin, a relationship is established between archetypes and chaos theory, even though they do not sit in the same camp. Rhythm is conceptualized in a way that resonates with many of the archetypal qualities as it too is innate, universal, pre-existing and functions to bring about order, It manifests in a variety of forms, modes, styles or images and has a numinous essence (mystical, spiritual essence). The structural components of rhythm are sketched as an introduction to the principles of entrainment; a feature that gives rhythm its healing value in the human body and psyche. The study is a process of evaluating connecting themes from the diverse disciplines, of psychology, music and science into an integrated whole