Wilfred R. Bion’s Psychoanalysis Between Epistemology and Mysticism: The Dark Night, Transformation in O, and Mental Growth
Interdisciplinary Journal for Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society June 18, 2025 DOI: 10.30965/23642807-bja10136 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractWilfred R. Bion's psychoanalysis uniquely blends epistemology with mysticism. His concept of O offers an alternative understanding of religion, not as an archaic relic but as encounters with the numinous—the presence of absolute truth or ultimate reality—described as processes of transformation of an open reality. Bion's required attitude for these transformations is explained through his references to John of the Cross's mysticism, particularly the Dark Night.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Psychology Philosophy |
| Key finding | Argues that Bion's concept of O allows religion to be understood as encounters with the numinous involving processes of transformation of an open reality, informed by John of the Cross's Dark Night. |
Abstract
This article examines Wilfred R. Bion’s psychoanalysis in its unique interplay between epistemology and mysticism. It then explores the potential of Bion’s concept of O for an alternative understanding of religion within psychoanalysis and beyond. Rather than seeing religion as an archaic relic of human history, Bion makes it possible to understand the encounters with the numinous (the experience of the presence of the godhead, absolute truth or ultimate reality) described in religion as processes of transformation of an open reality. The attitude that Bion requires in order to make these transformations possible is explained on the basis of his own references to the mysticism of John of the Cross, in particular to the Dark Night described by him.