The mother image in spiritual direction

Abstract

No longer an impasse, psychological and spiritual development are interrelated. This study has moved beyond approaches of traditional spiritual direction, and even some contemporary ones, to consider spiritual direction from a psychospiritual perspective. Our concept of God, our belief in God and our relationship with God do not develop in a vacuum. William James had the conviction that the stronghold of religion lies in the development of the subjective experience-the essence of which lies in the development in the inner recesses of private feeling. This work aims to bring together the subjective pole and the objective pole of the religious experience of the directee. It focuses on the interpersonal relationship of the spiritual director with the directee based on the paradigm of the mother and infant relationship. with the aim of encouraging and promoting an m depth experience at the critical period in the life of the directee. The background to this study is a review of history and psychology. Elements of the mother-infant relationship in spiritual guidance are studied in the Judeo-Christian tradition. as well as in the non-Christian traditions. An overview of the extensive insights from the psychoanalytic Object Relations theory is intended to illuminate the understanding of the dynamics which take place in the healing process of the directee during the relationship in spiritual direction. Our society constantly calls for living images of God in spiritual direction. Differences in age, gender and educational level are of little importance. Most significant is that the spiritual director should be knowledgeable of the object relationships. and is living an authentic Christian life. Finally, some considerations for further research are proposed.