Understanding the psychology of spiritual groups requires understanding group psychology and the unique challenges of the spiritual path. In many ways our path to spiritual maturity follows the IDR cycle, as we learn to move from idealization of ourselves and our teachers to spiritual maturity.
Theory of Holes
The Theory of Holes, first described by A. H. Almaas and Faisal Muqaddam, describes how essence is blocked during the development of the ego, and also how to recover it during the spiritual journey.
Recent posts include:
Beyond Technique: Trauma Healing, Mediation and Spirituality
A post about the tension between technique and presence during deep moments of resolution in trauma healing, spirituality and mediation. True mastery is not “doing” but wu wei, the ability to act while holding this tension. Draws on Peter Levine’s trauma work, (Somatic Experiencing®), the work of Daniel Stern, the Theory of Holes (A. H. Almaas and Faisal Muqaddam), and the work of J.G. Bennett, as well as Elizabeth Bader’s writings on the IDR cycle.
Recovering Essence on the Spiritual Journey (Almaas, Muqaddam and the Theory of Holes)
The “Theory of Holes” developed by Hameed Ali (pen name, A. H. Almaas) and Faisal Muqaddam with Karen Johnson provides a map for the process of recovering essence on the spiritual journey. Limitations in cases of trauma are noted.
Freud Encounters the Spiritual Journey: An Early Theory of Holes
The Theory of Holes articulated by Hameed Ali (A. H. Almaas) and Faisal Muqaddam explains how essence can be recovered during the spiritual journey. Freud articulated many elements of the theory nearly a century ago.
From Judgment to Compassion: The Superego (Inner Critic) In Spirituality & Conflict Resolution
In order to move to a place of compassion we each must dissolve the internal psychological structure known as the inner critic or superego. This post, the first in a series, discusses this core work on the path of integrating psychology, spirituality and conflict resolution. We begin with the first step in this process: learning to recognize the inner critic inside.