This was a lovely read, glad the algorithm showed it to me!
They may not have denied the unconscious exists in my MSc program, but there was at least one pure positivist/behaviorist professor (so rigid), and my advisor actively and expressly discouraged me from writing my thesis about psychological type (booh, I know). Not sure I would say our culture is “increasingly” materialistic though, I think some scientists are slowly calling for a broader lens, including phenomenology. E.g., physicist Àlex Gómez-Marín is sharing about his own near-death experiences; the IAI YouTube channel has a few clips if you’re interested. (Might be more generally about consciousness than Self, but still.)
Regarding Self and spirituality, I just read the chapter in Richard Schwartz’s “No Bad Parts” about his model, Internal Family Systems (IFS). Schwartz argues that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors may get “blended” with certain “parts”, but that in essence we are Self. He makes the case for leading from Self as a way to securely attach to our own essence (so the opposite of the “delusions of grandeur” Edinger suggested). Based on years of empirical evidence working with therapy patients, Schwartz posits that leading from Self feels calm, clear, curious, compassionate, confident, courageous, creative, and connecting. I’m only getting started with IFS, but I kinda like that idea. 😊
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments! I really do appreciate your taking the time. I hear you on a movement toward a broader lens (more phenomenological, relational etc). That's definitely true. I also feel at times there's increasing pushback from the materialists! But that could be my projection.
I also appreciate your sharing the notes about IFS. I'm not super familiar with IFS (beyond a broad understanding), but my understanding is that Schwartz's understanding of the Self corresponds to the Jungian Self. From a Jungian point of view, it's relating to the Self (rather than identifying WITH it) that is key to avoiding inflation!
This was a lovely read, glad the algorithm showed it to me!
They may not have denied the unconscious exists in my MSc program, but there was at least one pure positivist/behaviorist professor (so rigid), and my advisor actively and expressly discouraged me from writing my thesis about psychological type (booh, I know). Not sure I would say our culture is “increasingly” materialistic though, I think some scientists are slowly calling for a broader lens, including phenomenology. E.g., physicist Àlex Gómez-Marín is sharing about his own near-death experiences; the IAI YouTube channel has a few clips if you’re interested. (Might be more generally about consciousness than Self, but still.)
Regarding Self and spirituality, I just read the chapter in Richard Schwartz’s “No Bad Parts” about his model, Internal Family Systems (IFS). Schwartz argues that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors may get “blended” with certain “parts”, but that in essence we are Self. He makes the case for leading from Self as a way to securely attach to our own essence (so the opposite of the “delusions of grandeur” Edinger suggested). Based on years of empirical evidence working with therapy patients, Schwartz posits that leading from Self feels calm, clear, curious, compassionate, confident, courageous, creative, and connecting. I’m only getting started with IFS, but I kinda like that idea. 😊
Anyway, you said comments help, so here you go!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments! I really do appreciate your taking the time. I hear you on a movement toward a broader lens (more phenomenological, relational etc). That's definitely true. I also feel at times there's increasing pushback from the materialists! But that could be my projection.
I also appreciate your sharing the notes about IFS. I'm not super familiar with IFS (beyond a broad understanding), but my understanding is that Schwartz's understanding of the Self corresponds to the Jungian Self. From a Jungian point of view, it's relating to the Self (rather than identifying WITH it) that is key to avoiding inflation!
Grateful for the dialogue!