Paper Session C

4. Mystical Experience as an
Expression of the Idealizing Selfobject Need

Religion and Spirituality (Part 2 of 2)

Self Psychology Page | 23rd Conference Program

Overview

Self psychology provides an approach to understanding religious experience that allows both for positive and defensive functions within the psyche. In this paper, mystical experience and its relation to the idealizing selfobject need are explored. The idealizing selfobject need is defined and its developmental trajectory as outlined by Kohut is reviewed. A discussion of effects of inadequate developmental idealizing experience follows, including reference to the cases of Mr. U. and Mr. X. (Kohut, 1977). Their unresolved idealizing needs were expressed first, in the creation of a substitute selfobject, and second, in interest in the Peace Corps and identification with Christ. Kohut (1987) observed that unresolved idealizations in the transference sometimes lead to a preoccupation with religious matters. Kohut’s (1971) treatment of mysticism as a form of "fuzzy idealization" is discussed in relation to William James’ (1902) identification of the basic characteristics of mysticism. Attention is given to the issues of merger and regression. The paper concludes with the case of Mr. S. and a discussion of the mystical experience he reported early in treatment.

Self Psychology Page | 23rd Conference Program