Healing: Psychological Healing in the Catholic Mystic Tradition

by Raymond Lloyd Richmond

BOOK DESCRIPTION PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALING FROM EMOTIONAL WOUNDS A revised and expanded version of the 2006 First Edition. You cannot surrender your pain and suffering to God if deep in your heart you persist in clinging to psychological defense mechanisms which shield you from that very pain. There is nothing wrong with psychological defenses. In fact, they help to protect us from emotional injury. But if you cling to the defense mechanisms that were created in your childhood and carry them on into adulthood—as most everyone does unconsciously—your quest for spiritual healing will be thwarted by overwhelming resentments and conflicts. Still, God has been trying to show you that there is more to life than resentment and conflict, something so beautiful and desirable that only one thing can resist its hate. So now, and in every moment until you die, you will have a profound choice between your enslavement to old defenses and the beauty of God. That decision has to come from you. You will go where you desire. CONTENTS Preface Part One
The Unconscious Victimization Spiritual Purgation Compunction Healing Four Steps to Humility Fear Wretchedness Desire and Motivation Outside the Box Boundaries Part Questions and Answers
Blame and Responsibility Defenses and Illusions Disasters and Trauma Evil Good from Evil Love Meeting Your Enemy in Heaven Mercy Pride and Honor Refusing Mercy Self-love Sin Suffering Temperament Appendix When You Don’t Know You’re Sick Appendix Blind to Your Own Anger Appendix Coping with Distractions
Introduction Understanding, not Ignoring The Definition of Fantasies (aka Temptations) The Relationship Between Thoughts and Feelings Distractions and Fantasies in General Feelings of Darkness and Abandonment Feelings of Stuckness and Paralysis Sexual Fantasies Fantasies of Grandiosity Evil Fantasies Self-destructive Fantasies The Jesus Prayer Do Not Lose Your Peace Be Gentle With Yourself Don’t Punish Yourself Appendix Dream Interpretation
Introduction The Royal Road Other Ideas The Dream Text The Clinical Work Some Helpful Points Traumatic Nightmares Incubus and Succubus Other Troubling Dreams Appendix A List of Emotions Appendix Spiritual Fruits Appendix Parental Secrets Appendix Ego States Appendix Litany of Humility Meditation Index

Genres: Catholic, Psychology

488 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2013

Reviews

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typically, I am leery of the psychodynamic approach but Dr. Richmond in this book has done a good job of "baptizing" the Psychodynamic approach and has renewed my appreciation for it. His talk on the unconscious on one hand and spiritual development and things Theological I was picturing in my mind's eye as that old "board game" KerPlunk, until the conscious is more in line with the unconscious desires we will be divided even against ourselves and the Grace of God may not be as penetrating into our lives as we think or could be. While reading this I certainly found myself using Microsoft Excel to take notes and keep the process going so as to be able to lead to this process of healing and creating that interior unity. The book is organized perfectly, going cleanly from concepts and principles to practical applications.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came to me at the perfect time. Any earlier in life, I would have scoffed at the author's handling of the subconscious and also not been able to see the patterns in my own life that point to the need for deeper healing.

This beautiful and wise book is extremely practical and perhaps the most hopeful and honest thing I could be reading at this point.

[Joseph Thevercad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and a must read for every serious Christian

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

One-sentence summary of this book: trauma is a choice and the only way out is to will yourself to accept God's truth and live it.