Depth Calls to Depth

Depth Calls to Depth: Jungian Psychology and Spiritual Direction in Dialogue draws on the author's dual background as a certified Jungian analyst and psychologist as well as a spiritual director with a master's degree in theology. Over the last several decades, spiritual direction has moved beyond its monastic origins to become a major force in contemporary spirituality. Its emphasis on direct spiritual experience offers a natural parallel to Jung's model of psychospiritual healing.

This book describes how Jungian dreamwork can enhance the practice of spiritual direction. There is much interest in Jung's thought in spiritual circles but little informed understanding of the details of his model and its application to work with individuals. In an effort to meet this need, chapters alternate between descriptions of Jung's approach, augmented by extensive case material and accounts of spiritual direction sessions. In this way, the book combines a comprehensive summary of Jung's main ideas and methodologies with vignettes that illustrate their practical application. Larger issues regarding the relationship between psychology and spirituality are discussed as well as Jung's complicated relationship with the Christian tradition. The author's background in Ignatian spirituality and the work of mystics like Meister Eckhart allow him to demonstrate how these approaches can bridge gaps between the Christian and Jungian models of spiritual growth. Parallels to 12-Step spirituality also are explored.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 1

CREDITS  3

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 5

CHAPTER 2 UNLESS AN EGG FALLS TO THE GROUND  19

CHAPTER 3 IS NOT/IS TOO: SPIRITUALITY AND PSYCHOLOGY I 33

CHAPTER 4 FINDING GOD IN THE DITCH 47

CHAPTER 5 BRIDGING THE CHASM: SPIRITUALITY AND PSYCHOLOGY II 61

CHAPTER 6 UP POPS THE DEVIL  83

CHAPTER 7 BUT IT FEELS SO TRUE: COMPLEXES, PROJECTIONS, AND VAMPIRES 97

CHAPTER 8 WRESTLING IN THE DARK 119

CHAPTER 9 THE ME I DO NOT WANT TO BE: JUNG'S CONCEPT OF THE SHADOW 133

CHAPTER 10 IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN 159

CHAPTER 11 INTIMATE STRANGERS AND THE INNER OTHER 183

CHAPTER 12 NOT BAD FOR A BAPTIST BOY  215

CHAPTER 13 THE SELF: WHOLENESS AS RELATIONSHIP  237

CHAPTER 14 SPACE ALIENS AND DISH DRYERS  269

CHAPTER 15 JUNG AND THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION: IMPLICATIONS FOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTION 297

CHAPTER 16 THE SPIRITUAL PATH: JUNGIAN AND CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES  323

CHAPTER 17 EPILOGUE  353

DREAM 1  355

DREAM 2  359

BIBLIOGRAPHY 367