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This circular diagram incorporates the place I have termed “in recovery,” a place in which the person 6
lodges while sorting out what responses to make to the trauma. This modified paradigm helps to
account for the frequency with
SPIRITUAL DIRECTIONwhich a person will experience failure to move on from the
influences or direct effect of the traumatic experience. The additional box in the paradigm is the
place in which spiritual directees have often expressed to me that they recognise they are in because
of the frequency with which they will repeat an event that they have already discussed in an earlier
meeting. Occasionally they will express frustration or even exasperation that they are still churning
human experience and yet may conceal other aspects of
This circular diagram incorporates the place I have
over something from their past which has been raised in repeated sessions with the spiritual guide.
termed “in recovery,” a place in which the person lodges it. Any schematic overview will limit the way we can view
the process of a person’s experience of God in daily life
while sorting out what responses to make to the trauma.
However, even this circular diagram has an inherent problem due to the assumptions which lie
(even the one which is ultimately proposed). A difficulty
This modified paradigm helps to account for the frequen-
behind it. Any paradigm, be it the classical ones proposed by Saint Teresa of Avila, or Saint John of
with the paradigm above is that it assumes individuals
cy with which a person will experience failure to move on
the Cross’s threefold schema (dark night of the senses, dark night of the soul, and then union with
from the influences or direct effect of the traumatic experi-
will eventually make their way into the “normal” box
God), will be both congruent with human experience and yet may conceal other aspects of it. Any
again, when in fact, they may not, and if they do make
ence. The additional box in the paradigm is the place in
schematic overview will limit the way we can view the process of a person’s experience of God in
their way to the normal box, it will not necessarily be the
which spiritual directees have often expressed to me that
daily life (even the one which is ultimately proposed). A difficulty with the paradigm above is that it
they recognise they are in because of the frequency with
same “normal” as they had previously experienced. The
assumes individuals will eventually make their way into the “normal” box again, when in fact, they
which they will repeat an event that they have already dis-
reason is simple: they have been profoundly changed by
may not, and if they do make their way to the normal box, it will not necessarily be the same
their traumatic experience and are no longer the same
cussed in an earlier meeting. Occasionally they will express
“normal” as they had previously experienced. The reason is simple: they have been profoundly
person. Certain values, attitudes, aspirations, and out-
frustration or even exasperation that they are still churning
changed by their traumatic experience and are no longer the same person. Certain values, attitudes,
look on life have been modified as a result of the experi-
over something from their past which has been raised in
aspirations and outlook on life have been modified as a result of the experience, including their
ence, including their understanding and experience of
repeated sessions with the spiritual guide.
understanding and experience of God. As a result of the changes which occur following an acutely
However, even this circular diagram has an inherent
God. As a result of the changes that occur following an
painful experience, and the possibility of remaining in the place of recovery for an extended period
acutely painful experience, including the possibility of
problem due to the assumptions which lie behind it.
of time (which for some might be for the duration of their life), another paradigm needs to be
Any paradigm, be it the classical ones proposed by Saint
remaining in the place of recovery for an extended period
suggested, which is developed below. of time (that for some might be for the duration of their
Teresa of Avila, or Saint John of the Cross’s threefold
schema (dark night of the senses, dark night of the soul, life), another paradigm needs to be suggested, which is
and then union with God), will be both congruent with developed below.
Normal Trauma and Emotional New “normal,”
disruption responses e.g.: Enclosed place with new
fight, grief, disconnected person
sadness, denial, from past and
future
anger
Characteristics of each of these stages
Characteristics of each of these stages
“Normality”
“In Recovery”
Normal NORMAL Trauma/Painful Emotional Responses “IN RECOVERY” “NORMALITY”
TRAUMA/PAINFUL
EMOTIONAL
Experience RESPONSES
EXPERIENCE
Peace and stability, life is Establishment of some The hopeful destination
predictable. Disruption, habitual religious Chaos, confusion, patterns of daily life, which may not be realised.
Disruption, habitual
Chaos, confusion,
Peace and stability, life practices let go or used as a fragmentation, loss of beginning of reclaiming The hopeful
Establishment of some
is predictable. means to maintain control. certitude. new life. patterns of daily life, If they do eventually move
destination which
fragmentation, loss of
religious practices let go
or used as a means to certitude. Fragmentation of previous into this “place” they are
beginning of reclaiming
may not be
likely to not be the same
new life.
maintain control. life continues to exist without person. realised.
Fragmentation of
resolution. If they do
previous life continues eventually move
Living with paradox and
to exist without
episodic periods when the into this “place”
resolution.
experience “floods” or they are likely to
Living with paradox and
intrudes. not be the same
episodic periods when
Living with and accepting the person.
the experience “floods”
“mark” left by the experience,
or intrudes.
but transformed. Chaotic
feelings diminish; claiming
Living with and
of new identify forged by the
accepting the “mark”
experience.
left by the experience,
but transformed.
Chaotic feelings
In this last schema, the circle acknowledges the experi- ence of remaining “in recovery” for an extended period.
38 Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction