The modern age appears to be increasingly confronting people with their personal spiritual way. The externalism and objectification pervading society create fresh awareness of the inner processes at work in ourselves and in other people.
Over the next few years research will be conducted into the spirituality of religious life, spirituality and pastoral work, and present-day spirituality in secular contexts (health care, business, the mass media, education).
The theoretical framework of this study is mystagogics, often practised in the area of spiritual guidance. Spiritual processes can be documented by means of autobiographies, reflections and meditations, letters, et cetera.
The research is characterised by a cycle of four overlapping elements:
- developing a theoretical framework to permit the formulation of a research question and aim;
- developing and testing spiritual models and appropriation processes, with components of diagnosis, action and evaluation;
- critical reflection on, and more precise definition of, the theoretical framework;
- implementing the resultant spiritual strategy in an organisation requesting such counselling.
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'Mystagogics broadens human existence into expectant openness to Mystery, it transports people into God's gracious goodness and makes them understand their unique vocation.' ( Karl Rahner)
Project Mystagogic reading of paradigms of contemporary spirituality
Conductor: Hein Blommestijn
In the practice of spiritual guidance one encounters people's narratives and reflections in response to their spiritual way. This project investigates the interiorisation processes that operate in people and the possibility of making these available to others as mystagogic models. |
