The Power of Transcendent Thinking in Young Minds 

It can be difficult to apply societal moral issues or broad psychological ideologies of cultural meanings taught in school to current life. Transcendent thinking refers to the ability to move beyond immediate circumstances and consider broader, more abstract concepts. This type of thinking is a skill that can be acquired. It involves looking beyond the surface level and exploring deeper meanings, connections, and implications. Recently, a study was conducted, revealing that the concept of ‘transcendent thinking’ contributes to increased future happiness among teens, as well as increased brain growth. Whether you want to call it a mystical connection, spiritual awareness, or an intuitive thought, these feelings and beliefs have been proven to help prevent the ideation of suicide, depression, and anxiety.  

 Transcendent thinking goes beyond everyday concerns. It involves considering things from a wider perspective, beyond what is immediately in front of you.  

Here is how it works:  

• Think beyond the obvious: take a massive step back and think about more than simply what has been presented to you. Don’t just look at the little picture, look at the landscape. We can look at the example of moral dilemmas. Think about one of the most talked about philosophical questions, if you were to witness a person stealing bread to feed their hungry family, how would you respond? Transcendently thinking about this topic would mean that you would take a step back and think beyond the act of the person stealing. What led them to stealing? Are these reasons societal, ethical, or moral?   
• Don’t only think about yourself: tap into something much larger. From your perspective you are the main character. The supporting actors and the extras are living out their own stories. In their stories, they are the main characters, and you are the supporting actors, possibly even an extra. Think about what life feels like in their shoes and how their stories are playing out. This person could be in the depths of an existential crisis. They might have just been diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. How do your actions toward this person further affect their day?   
• Ask big questions: no question is too insignificant to ask. There will always be other frivolous questions and guess what, those are okay to ask too! Try to think outside of the box. Ask questions like “What is the meaning of life?”: “Are there mythical creatures at the bottom of the ocean?”: “How can I cure cancer?”. Transcendent thinking involves breaking free from rigid mental frameworks. It encourages us to question established norms, cultural beliefs, and societal constructs.  

In a study conducted by Immordino-Yang, 65 young individuals of color, ages 14 to 18 years old, were shown a documentary of diverse teenagers around the world sharing stories designed to invoke emotional responses and encourage participants to think beyond the immediate specifics of each situation. After the documentary, the participants were asked to express their feelings without any restrictions. This was the beginning of their journey into transcendent thinking. The participants began to think of things in a broader scope. They began asking questions about their own lives and future possibilities. Brain scans revealed that those who engaged more deeply in transcendent thinking experienced increased brain growth. Moreover, they reported greater life satisfaction.  

This study sheds light on the fact that intelligence is not something children are exclusively born with, we have the power to help mold children’s brains and encourage their minds to grow more freely without the rigid mentality of “this is the way we think of things” and “this is how life works.” It is encouraged that parents and teachers allow children and teens to ask questions outside of society’s boxes. It is important to note that this type of thinking is not exclusive to young minds; those of all ages can and are encouraged to transcendently think. Take a step back today and give it a try.