A transpersonal perspective on marital infidelity

This study examined the phenomenon of marital infidelity from a transpersonal perspective, and as experienced by the unfaithful marriage partner. For the purpose of this study, marital infidelity is narrowly defined as sexual unfaithfulness to a spouse. Using a screening questionnaire, I selected 13 participants for this study---6 women and 7 men. I employed a combination of organic and heuristic research methods for this study. I obtained data primarily using semistructured interviews in which I explored the individual and partner dynamics that make an infidelity experience positive/valuable or negative/regrettable. I presented a portrait of each participant and a composite portrait of the whole group. I extracted units of meaning from the collected data and presented these as common and unique themes. I presented a creative synthesis of the experience of marital infidelity. The results suggest that: (a) marital infidelity can potentially occur in all kinds of marriage situations---good, bad, or in between; (b) it rarely happens by accident; (c) it is actually a symptom, the curative treatment of which requires addressing the disease; (d) the disease could be different forms of marital disaffection or psychospiritual disturbances within the individual or the marriage; and (e) the values found in the experience and lessons learned from it influence the person's future relationships with self, spouse, and ultimately, God/Spirit. The findings humanize the infamous cheater, casting his/her experience in a perspective that encompasses all levels of it without trivializing any. The practical applications of the study include: (a) better service delivery by transpersonal practitioners to couples in therapy; (b) the possibility of holistic healing for individuals and couples; and (c) the need for society to embrace, assimilate, and integrate the shadow side of consciousness into the body of the experience of marriage, and into the body of humanity as a whole.