This book examines Lacanian psychoanalysis and Christian mystical theology demonstrating the former's potential for reinvigorating spiritual direction. The author outlines how current methods of spiritual direction become saturated with self-help psycho-pop methodologies, and that desire has therefore been foreclosed in these practices. He suggests that the root of this is a focus on 'positive affective experientialism', which means spiritual direction must focus on emotional wholeness, healing and positivity. Finally, he argues that a new dialogue between John of the Cross (a mystic whose writings on spiritual direction formulate part of the core of the Catholic spiritual tradition) and Jacques Lacan can open the way for a spiritual direction beyond the confines of experientialism. The book concludes that we can only escape the experiential commodification of spiritual direction by critiquing the drive to experience in and of itself. This novel work will appeal in particular to students and scholars of psychoanalysis, religion, philosophy and critical theory.
| ISBN: | 9783031331091 |
| Publication date: | 27th September 2024 |
| Author: | Mark Gerard Murphy |
| Publisher: | Palgrave Macmillan an imprint of Springer International Publishing |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 315 pages |
| Series: | The Palgrave Lacan Series |
| Genres: |
Psychoanalytical and Freudian psychology Spiritualism Theology Philosophy of mind Religion: general Christianity Psychology |
This book examines Lacanian psychoanalysis and Christian mystical theology demonstrating the former's potential for reinvigorating spiritual direction. The author outlines how current methods of spiritual direction become saturated with self-help psycho-pop methodologies, and that desire has therefore been foreclosed in these practices. He suggests that the root of this is a focus on 'positive affective experientialism', which means spiritual direction must focus on emotional wholeness, healing and positivity. Finally, he argues that a new dialogue between John of the Cross (a mystic whose writings on spiritual direction formulate part of the core of the Catholic spiritual tradition) and Jacques Lacan can open the way for a spiritual direction beyond the confines of experientialism. The book concludes that we can only escape the experiential commodification of spiritual direction by critiquing the drive to experience in and of itself. This novel work will appeal in particular to students and scholars of psychoanalysis, religion, philosophy and critical theory.
The Direction of Desire features in the following genres: Psychoanalytical and Freudian psychology, Spiritualism, Theology, Philosophy of mind, Religion: general, Christianity, Psychology
The Direction of Desire is available in Paperback
The Direction of Desire was written by Mark Gerard Murphy and published by Palgrave Macmillan an imprint of Springer International Publishing
The Direction of Desire has 315 pages
Yes it is part of The Palgrave Lacan Series series
£98.99