Congress Paper Abstract

The Heart/Spirit, Not the Head/Mind: Being Transsexual is a Spiritual State and not a Psychological Condition?

KENNETH DOLLARHIDE, DEAN OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES, RICHARD STOCKTON COLLEGE, POMONA, NEW JERSEY 08240-0195, USA

In this paper I will examine the Spiritual Dimension of Transitioning as opposed to the psychological dimension of transitioning.

My thesis is really quite simple: Being transsexual/transgendered is not primarily a psychological phenomena but primarily is a spiritual phenomena and what needs to be “treated” is not the head/mind but the heart/spirit.

I will use as my primary texts autobiographies and biographies as well as those few texts that generally fall under the rubric of trans-spiritual or trans-religious texts (though I think spiritual has little, if anything, to do with religious texts).

In addition, I shall explore some of those cultures that understand the transperson as one who is nearer to perfection than others, i.e., as a spiritual being. This would include some American Indian traditions, South Asian, Siberian, etc…cultures.

Previous abstract

Next abstract