The group psychotherapist as contemporary mystic: a bionic object relations perspective.

Mystical awareness offers intuitive knowledge of group realities, relevant to therapy groups. The author argues that mystical thought, unlike logical positivism, informs group consultation, leadership, and self-transformation. Drawing on Bion and structuralist theories, the concept of a "sacred space" is introduced as the group context enabling mystical experience. A kabbalist parallel to early development and projective identification illustrates how sacred metaphor and myth can enrich group interpretation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mysticism is a heightened awareness facilitating intuitive knowledge of group realities. In contrast to logical positivism, in which scientific knowledge consists of logic applied to a set of observations, the author holds that mystical awareness is pertinent to the conduct of therapy groups. The work of Bion, and also so-called "structuralist" theories, postulate pre-given templates that inform experience. The application of mystical thought to group consultation, leadership, and transformation of the self is discussed. The group context which allows for mystical experience is called the "sacred space." To emphasize the sacredness of the group, a kabbalist parallel to early development and projective identification is used to show how sacred metaphor and myth can enrich interpretation in groups.