Spiritual Panorama

Definition

The Spiritual Panorama is a concept that has emerged from the Social Panorama It describes the mental representation of transcendent or transpersonal entities, forces, and energies, which play a role in a person's thinking. These mental or spiritual "entities" can be gods, angels, ancestors, natural forces, energy centers, or other symbols. They are often localized in the imagination above the person – metaphorically "in the sky" –. The Spiritual Panorama is thus a mental representation of spiritual and transcendent experiences and their effect on a person's inner world.

Origins and Theoretical Background

The concept was developed by Lucas Derks the founder of the Social Panorama model. While the Social Panorama explores the mental representation of interpersonal relationships , the Spiritual Panorama expands this model to spiritual and transcendent dimensions. It integrates psychological, systemic, and spiritual approaches and examines how transpersonal entities influence a person's perception, behavior, and decisions. The model thus provides a bridge between psychology and spirituality.

Application Examples

Personal Development: A person who feels accompanied by a protective energy can recognize this representation in the Spiritual Panorama and reflect on its influence on their life.
Coaching: A coach can work with a client experiencing spiritual blockages by rearranging the position and relationship of spiritual elements in the panorama.
Therapy: The model can help clarify and resolve spiritual conflicts (e.g., feelings of guilt towards a higher power).

Areas of Application

Spirituality and belief systems: Exploration of how people locate and experience spiritual concepts in their mental space.
Therapy: Integration of spiritual or existential themes into a person's psychological structure.
Coaching: Support in activating and strengthening spiritual resources.
Conflict resolution: Processing inner tensions arising from conflicting religious or spiritual beliefs.

Methods and Exercises

Visualization of the Spiritual Panorama:
- a) The person closes their eyes and visualizes their spiritual beliefs, symbols, or energies.
- b) They arrange these elements in a mental space – e.g., above, below, or near their self-image.
- c) Reflection: Which positions feel supportive? Which feel burdensome or blocking?
- d) Adjustment: If necessary, positions are changed to promote a harmonious and powerful inner balance.

Synonyms or Related Terms

Spiritual map
Mental spiritual model
Transcendent panorama

Scientific or Practical Benefit

Practical benefits: The Spiritual Panorama makes subjective spiritual experiences visible and manageable. It helps strengthen spiritual resources or resolve blockages without questioning the belief itself.
Scientific benefits: Building on research into mental representations (as in the Social Panorama), the model provides a framework for understanding spiritual notions in the psyche and their influence on behavior and well-being.

Criticism or Limitations

The concept presupposes a spiritual worldview that is not present in all people.
It is heavily based on subjective perceptions, which complicates scientific verification.
There is a risk that spiritual beliefs may be misinterpreted or pathologized if not treated sensitively.

Literature and References

Derks, L. (1997). The Social Panorama Model: Social Psychology meets NLP. Son IJsselgroep, Doetinchem.
Gilligan, S. (1997). The Courage to Love: Principles and Practices of Self-Relations Psychotherapy. W. W. Norton & Company, New York.
Dilts, R. (1998). Modeling with NLP: Working with Beliefs and Strategies. Meta Publications.

Metaphor or Analogy

The mental star map

The spiritual panorama resembles a mental star map, where each star constellation represents a specific spiritual power, energy, or presence. These “stars” shine with varying brightness and influence a person's navigation through their life. As the constellations shift or realign, the inner compass also changes – and with it the way someone finds meaning, connection, and orientation in life.