Exploring the role of God in human formation work and the seven reasons for focusing on the natural realm. Understanding the integration of different parts and deep beliefs. The significance of human formation as the basis for spiritual development. The challenges of introducing Jesus into therapy and the importance of individualized approaches. Announcements and opportunities for listeners to join discussions and upcoming events. The Catholic Psychotherapy Association Conference and the benefits of human formation through an IFS lens.
Human formation is a neglected but crucial aspect of personal growth and development in the Catholic Church.
Addressing human formation deficits can lead to spiritual healing and growth.
The use of secular resources can enhance human formation and promote a more mature life of faith.
Many spiritual issues stem from unresolved human formation deficits.
Establishing a foundation in human formation through natural means allows for later integration of spiritual approaches.
Deep dives
Reason 1: Neglect of Human Formation
Human formation has been neglected in our church, and it is a vitally important aspect of personal growth and development.
Reason 2: Foundation of Formation
Human formation serves as the foundation for all other forms of formation, including spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral development.
Reason 3: Integration of Secular and Spiritual Sources
The church encourages the use of findings from secular sciences, such as psychology and sociology, to enhance human formation and promote a more mature life of faith.
Reason 4: Spiritual Consequences of Human Formation
Many spiritual issues are rooted in unresolved human formation deficits, and addressing these deficits can lead to spiritual healing and growth.
Reason 5: Expertise and Training
As a clinical psychologist, my training and experience are in human formation, and I specialize in utilizing natural means to foster personal development.
Reason 6: Importance of Natural Means in Early Development
In early development, infants and toddlers primarily rely on natural means for human formation, and it is important to establish trust and healthy attachment before introducing spiritual concepts.
Reason 7: Timing and Order of Spiritual Means
Using natural means initially allows for a solid foundation to be established in human formation, paving the way for later integration of spiritual means.
Reasons for Focusing on Human Formation
The speaker discusses seven reasons for focusing on human formation using natural means rather than explicitly God-centric approaches. These reasons include the uniqueness of human formation, the importance of addressing human formation deficits, the abundance of secular resources, the speaker's training and expertise in human formation, the natural progression of human development, the potential harm and limitations of explicitly God-centric approaches, and the need for alternative means especially in cases of spiritual trauma.
Concerns with God-Centric Approaches
The speaker raises concerns regarding explicitly God-centric approaches, highlighting situations where they may not be optimal or even harmful. These include individuals with complex relationships with God, experiences of spiritual trauma, issues with God images, problematic father issues, authority or resentment towards God, unresolved grief, same-sex attraction, experiences of rape, and fear or discomfort with closeness to men. The speaker emphasizes the importance of respecting these concerns and creating space for each individual to engage with God in their own way and timing.
Creating Space for God's Agency
The speaker advocates for creating space for God's agency in human formation rather than imposing explicit God-centric approaches. By focusing on connecting with and listening to our parts, providing love and attunement, and allowing clients to discover God in their own ways, we can foster trust, healing, and spiritual growth. The speaker stresses the need to be open to various means and paths in human formation, recognizing that God's ways are often deeper and broader than our own understanding.
In this episode, I address a controversial clip from episode 79 of the Restore the Glory podcast, in which host Jake Khym provides an example of how he brings Jesus into his own parts work. I explain the potential issues I see with bringing God into human formation work. Then, I dive into the seven reasons why I initially focus on the natural realm: 1) Almost no one else focuses on human formation grounded in a Catholic understanding of the human person; 2) Human formation is the basis of all formation, according to St. John Paul II; 3) There is a huge wealth of information from secular sources that I can and should bring to the Church; 4) So many spiritual problems are spiritual consequences of human formation deficits; 5) My training and experience are in human formation, not spiritual formation; 6) Natural means are primarily used for the early development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; 7) Explicitly God-centric approaches are not optimal for every part in every person, and may even be harmful in some cases.
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