A Mystical Therapy: Re-Booting the Mystical

A practicing psychotherapist proposes a 'mystical therapy' by weaving together three traditions: the Christian mystical tradition of theologia mystica, modern psychotherapy from Freud through James Hillman and Wilfred Bion, and Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophical ideas about the mystical and the distinction between saying and showing. Drawing on three decades of clinical work, the author argues that these strands can be blended to re-boot the mystical tradition for contemporary seekers.

Study at a glance

Abstract

One of the central themes of this journal is to ‘re-boot’ the mystical tradition for the contemporary seeker. The author, a practising psychotherapist, undertakes this in the present article by connecting three strands of thought and practice to propose a ‘mystical therapy’. First, there is the Christian mystical tradition as exemplified by the medieval tradition of theologia mystica. Second, the practices and insights of present-day therapy and counselling arising from the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) and his successors, including recent approaches from practitioners such as James Hillman and Wilfred Bion. Finally, the philosophical reflections of Freud’s Viennese contemporary Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951), especially in regard to das Mystische and the choreography of saying and showing. All three strands are blended together as the author reflects on three decades of work in the area and the possibility of ‘re-booting’ the mystical through these means.