Valuing Peak Experiences in Everyday Contexts: Insights from Positive and Transpersonal Psychology

Valuing Peak Experience in Everyday Lives takes Abraham Maslow’s concept of peak experience and compares how people have encountered transcendent peak experiences and related phenomena, such as flow and peak performance, in their everyday lives. By examining existing research and sharing people’s actual encounters in different contexts, such as music, education, sport, creative arts, and nature, the importance and value of peak experiences and self-transcendence in our lives can be better understood and fostered.

The book explores the challenges, benefits, and opportunities presented by understanding peak experience in contemporary contexts. Drawing on research from positive and transpersonal psychology, each of the 12 chapters reports on a work or leisure context where peak experiences have been generated and studied. The chapters are introduced by drawing on relevant theory and research, and then expanded via accounts, vignettes, and examples from people immersed in those activities or contexts to provide a blend of case stories and theoretical foundations.

The book is valuable reading for professional practitioners such as psychologists, educators, coaches, psychotherapists, and those interested in personal development. Also, it will be relevant for students of transpersonal and positive psychology, as well as humanism and human development, interested in understanding transcendent peak experiences and related concepts, such as flow.

Kay A M Weijers is a former professional flautist, advertising sales executive, business owner and sales trainer. Her life’s learnings and experiences have taken her into the field of Executive Coaching, Coaching Supervision and Imposter Syndrome Master Coaching. She holds a Doctorate in Coaching and Mentoring from Oxford Brookes University.

Elaine R J Cox is an honorary research fellow with Oxford Brookes University Business School. She holds a PhD in Educational Research from Lancaster University and is an experienced researcher, author and editor. In addition to writing books and articles, she is also the founding editor of the International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring.