Journey into Depth: The Experience of Initiation in Monastic and Jungian Training

by Mary Wolff-Salin, Sebastian Moore OSB (Foreword)

Journey into Depth is a thorough comparison of monastic formation and preparation for becoming a Jungian two domains that share deep similarities in the experience of initiation. Using anthropological guidelines, Sister Mary Wolff-Salin discusses the three stages of an initiation separation, a period of liminality, and integration. Of these three periods, Wolff-Salin focuses on the liminal stage and experiences, such as an ordeal, obedience to elders, receiving of tradition handed down, and spiritual guidance.Journey into Depth bases its monastic reflection on a fictional journal that combines true human encounters to encompass many historical experiences. Wolff-Salin provides in-depth analysis of what happens within a human psyche when undergoing a prolonged period of initiation into a new way of living. Reflections on Jungian training are based on interviews with trainees and recently qualified analysts.Of interest to monastics and those studying the interplay between psychology and spirituality, Journey into Depth draws together threads?both spiritual and psychological?and gives valuable insight to the initiation process. Wolff-Salin also illustrates a deep commonality of experience as well as spiritual consequences in terms of growth.Journey into Depth begins with an introduction. Part Monastic Initiation begins with Section "Anthropological Reflection on Initiation," Section ?A Monastic Journal,? and Section ?Commentaries? (includes ?A Monastic Commentary,? ?Anthropological Commentary,? and ?Psychological Commentary?).Part Analytic Initiation includes an introduction, Section ?Theory,? Section ?Experiences of Training? (includes ?Ordeal,? ?Disillusionment,? ?Integration,? ?Dreams,? ?Summary?), Section ?Archetypes? (includes ?Night Sea Journey and the Hero's Progress,? ?Fathers and Mothers,? ?Masculine and Feminine,? ?The Encounter with the Shadow,? and ?The Archetype of the Self?).Part Conclusions includes ?Initiation and Obedience,? ?Transformation,? ?Transformation and Death,? ?Inner/Outer, Self/Other,? ?Initiation and Mystery and Identity,? ?Identity and Individuation.? Journey into Depth also includes appendices.

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2005

Reviews

[Aidan Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging look at monastic formation through a Jungian lens. Really good read.