132 Live Q&A with Dr. Gerry on his Book, "Litanies of the Heart"
Feb 19, 2024
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Dr. Gerry discusses his new book 'Litanies of the Heart', answering audience questions on topics like trauma, attachment, sinful behaviors, and the relationship between self, intellect, and will. The podcast explores the integration of Internal Family Systems and Catholicism, childhood innocence, healing through reflection and spiritual guidance, early insecurities, internal parts dynamics, and upcoming conference updates.
The relationship between the inmost self and the intellect is complex and ongoing in exploration.
Different philosophical and theological frameworks have varied interpretations of the soul and its divisions over time.
The concept of a childlike spirit is seen as a positive quality in our relationship with God, emphasizing innocence and openness.
Deep dives
The Role of the Inmost Self and the Intellect
The interplay between the inmost self and the intellect is complex and not fully understood. The concept of the intellect's role within the self is still being explored and discussed. Philosophers and theologians have pondered this relationship for centuries, with different schools of thought providing varying perspectives. One way to consider this relationship is to view the self as guiding the intellect and will, with the inmost self providing overarching influence. However, this is an ongoing conversation, and there is no definitive answer at this time.
Exploring the Soul and its Divisions
The understanding of the soul and its divisions has evolved over centuries, from Plato and Aristotle's divisions of desire, reason, and passion to Aquinas' distinction between rational and irrational souls. The soul, especially in relation to the intellect, is often described as immaterial and rational. However, the terminology and interpretation of the soul and its divisions have varied among different philosophical and theological frameworks.
The Heart and its Connection to the Mind
The heart has been discussed by various Church fathers, mystics, and theologians throughout history. While there is no consensus on its exact meaning, some sources suggest that the heart encompasses the mind and holds a deeper, unique place within the self. This understanding of the heart's connection to the mind expands the concept of the intellect beyond classical Greek ideas, and aligns with the Christian tradition's view of the heart as a significant aspect of the self.
The Importance of Childlike Spirit
The podcast discusses the concept of having a childlike spirit and its significance in our relationship with God. The speaker highlights that when Jesus refers to letting the little children come to him, he is emphasizing the freedom, innocence, and openness that young children possess. This childlike spirit is seen as a positive quality, aligning with the idea of being a beloved child of God and having a deep connection with Him.
Healing and Reconnecting with Inner Parts
The podcast explores the journey of healing from abuse and religious trauma. The speaker shares their experience of untangling the truth about how God sees them and discovering the freedom to express themselves authentically. Journaling plays a role in allowing a young inner part to speak freely and release emotional tension. The process of embracing one's identity as a beloved child of God and challenging false beliefs is seen as essential for healing. The discussion also touches on the topic of attachment and the impact of early relationships on a person's ability to form deep connections later in life.
My guest, Dr. Gerry, answers questions from our live audience about his new book, Litanies of the Heart: Relieving Post-Traumatic Stress and Calming Anxiety Through Healing Our Parts. We begin by receiving some wonderful feedback for Dr. Gerry about his book. Then we dive into some questions our audience has for Dr. Gerry: 1) Can 58 years of rearranging my life to recycle the feelings of shame from being molested be resolved? 2) Can it be true that not all parts can know Jesus or not all parts can have a relationship with Him? 3) Are we naturally in self as children, before experiencing trauma? 4) In attachment terms, can misattunement happen pre-verbally, affecting access to your inmost self before you are able to express it? 5) How much culpability do we have for sinful behaviors driven by the unmet needs of parts who have good intentions? 6) What are the relationships among the inmost self, the intellect, and the will?
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