Jungian analyst and scholar of faith Antonio Dorella has provided such a convincing parallel between the 4 paths of Creation Spirituality and the 4 psychological features of C.G. Jung that I took it as the idea of my very own e book on Matthew Fox and Jung. It is usually attainable to pair the paths and the features with the 4 components of conventional historic physics. That is the way it works:
| Path | Operate | Factor |
| By way of Positiva | Sensation | Earth |
| By way of Negativa | Feeling | Water |
| By way of Creativa | Instinct | Air |
| By way of Transformativa | Pondering | Hearth |
A lot might be stated to clarify why I imagine the above scheme is right — at this level, I may refer readers to my e book, besides that it has not but been revealed in English!
The much less apparent level of contact is maybe the one between By way of Transformativa, which is all about justice and social transformation, and Pondering, which is normally perceived as summary. However that’s simply one of many errors of modernity. True Pondering is concrete, not within the sense that it shares the concreteness of Sensation, however within the sense that it plans forward and intends to impress change, both within the quick time period or in the long term. Not by probability, Jung recognized as a typical “Pondering Kind” the true politician who serves the group.
I’m utilizing this scheme as the idea of my observe as a non secular counselor, along with the rules I gave in an earlier DM, along with different Creation Spirituality assets. I discover this scheme helpful as a result of one of many foremost points that must be labored out, as a fortifying technique for the person, is a up to date model of the previous adage “Know Thyself.” The first level of Non secular Counseling is just not, the truth is, giving “counsel,” however serving to individuals to know their very own make-up, accepting it, and giving worth to it. After which, all the problems which might be offered within the periods can be bathed a brand new gentle.
Due to this fact, that is one thing that I love to do on the very starting of a counseling relationship, to start out from the affirming, from the By way of Positiva, quite than from the issues, from the By way of Negativa.
I’ll always remember one afternoon a number of years in the past, once I gathered in a backyard in Tuscany with a handful of pals and Matthew himself. At one level, a Jungian analyst stated that we should at all times start with the By way of Negativa, as a result of if one doesn’t start from the deep unresolved points and faces them straight on, no therapeutic can occur, and one at all times stays on the floor. In response, Matthew — who’s normally extraordinarily poised — shouted: NO! We should ALWAYS begin with the By way of Positiva, in any other case individuals merely gained’t have the vitality to confront the By way of Negativa, which after all should be tackled. That analyst by no means got here again to our conferences. It occurs.
The purpose being that, particularly at this time, any type of counseling or remedy that doesn’t reinforce a wholesome sense of the ego is certain to fail. Realizing to what Kind one belongs helps feeling related to oneself, understanding others who belong to different sorts, and usually treating one’s perceived weaknesses extra frivolously, till they grow to be the portal itself of deep private change — such being the function of the “inferior perform” in Jungian concept.
For instance, I’m principally Air. I discover myself most comfortable when making a curriculum, finding out a piano piece, adorning homes. I’ve additionally performed with Hearth quite a bit, as my doctorate and my political engagement present. However that’s at all times tinged and even managed by the artistic side. I’m additionally psychologically lively in Water, having, nevertheless, a way more troubled relationship with it, i.e., with emotions, than with considering or instinct. Lastly, I’m fairly dangerous at Earth. I’ve at all times failed at something bodily, at having a very good relationship with my physique, at sports activities, and even driving a nail within the wall is a problem for me.
Based on Jung, every of us has a major perform, two kind of developed aspect features, and one inferior perform — until one has reached the whole supreme stability of individuation. Plus, every of us is both an extrovert or an introvert, mistakenly related to being outgoing or shy, respectively. Realizing to which of the eight ensuing Varieties you belong is normally an excellent start line.
The primary variations between Non secular Counseling, as I observe it at this time, and Jungian evaluation can maybe be summarized as follows:
- I focus extra on the aware self-understanding of the consumer than on the unconscious, although it could be unattainable to exclude desires and archetypes from the work.
- I ask that the consumer convey to the work their non secular and spiritual points, together with spiritual trauma, and I’m an knowledgeable in these greater than in the rest, although, after all, all points are associated.
- I do common periods, however they’re normally extra distanced than an analyst does (nearly by no means weekly, until there’s a specific purpose).
As I stated earlier than, to me that is Good Work. It makes me really feel alive. Which is why it makes my purchasers really feel alive as effectively.
NOTE: Chances are you’ll contact Gianluigi to request a free 30-minutes exploratory session of Non secular Counseling by writing on to gianluigi@misticaevolutiva.it
Banner Picture: A stylized marble eye, photographed in Buonconsiglio Fortress in Trento. Within the body’s engraving is written “GNOTHI SAUTON” (Greek) “ID EST COGNOSCE TE IPSUM” (Latin). (“Know thyself” [Greek], “that is [means] know thyself” [Latin].) Wikimedia Commons.
Queries for Contemplation
Do you have got any inklings as to your Kind? Do you discover helpful or are you intrigued by what Gianluigi shared right here?
Associated Readings by Matthew Fox
The Reinvention of Work: A New Imaginative and prescient of Livelihood For Our Time
Unique Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality
Pure Grace: Dialogues on creation, darkness, and the soul in spirituality and science
A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Consciousness with Social Justice
The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Knowledge for Arduous Occasions
Julian of Norwich: Knowledge in a Time of Pandemic–and Past
A Solution to God: Thomas Merton’s Creation Spirituality Journey
