Integrating the Psychological With the Spiritual

Product Description

Overview

The Church’s primary formation documents promote a strong, healthy relationship between the spiritual and psychological dimensions of our identities as Christians. Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, Ph.D., explores this connection and offers ways to distinguish between and address spiritual versus mental health challenges. Participants are invited to explore the complementarity of the spiritual and psychological experience in the interest of supporting both effective ministry and personal spiritual growth.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

1. Learn how Church teaching characterizes the role of the psychological in relation to priestly, religious and spiritual formation;
2. Recognize areas of complementarity between our psychological and religious experience; and
3. Identify ways to distinguish between and address spiritual versus psychological challenges.

Who Should Participate

Priests, deacons, men and women religious, lay ministers, and those involved in vocations, formation, or clergy and ministry personnel needs.

Reflection Questions

Questions for reflection and discussion prior to the learning session are provided below.

1. When have I experienced a “coming together” of my psychological (e.g., emotional, behavioral) and spiritual or religious experience?
2. Have I ever experienced confusion over whether something is more of a psychological versus a spiritual challenge in my life?
3. What are the resources for spiritual and emotional support currently available to me?