+ 1 Adult Psychological Development and Spiritual Maturity Part I
+ Learning Goals 2 n (1) Discover new ways of thinking about spiritual growth, spiritual direction, and the experience of faith as understood developmentally n (2) Basic grasp of Robert Kegan’s Constructive Development theory n (3) Begin to identify the implications of adult development for your spiritual life and your ministry as spiritual directors
+ Prayer: “As Kingfishers catch 3 fire…”
+ What does it mean to “selve oneself”? 4 n Adult development… What does it mean? n Associations? n Assumptions? n What connections might you see or anticipate between adult psychological development and spiritual growth? n 2 minutes to free write and three to share with a partner
+ Relating (Neuroscience), 5 Psychology to Spiritual & Pastoral Theology n A mutually critical, co-relational relationship n Neither “epistemic lens” can be reduced to the other n Psychological development provides capacity for deeper spiritual maturation, but psychology does not entirely determine what spiritual maturity is. n Holiness can happen at any stage of development, but will look distinct from stage to stage n No theory (or set of theories), psychological or theological can ever capture the reality/mystery of what it means to be a human in relationship to God
+ Models of Adult Development: Partial Perspectives Psycho-Social , Moral, Ego, Women’s Ethic of Care, Constructive Development… 6
+ The Psycho-Social Model: Erickson 7 n Relating the self to society n Social expectations/individual fitness
+ Erikson’s Psycho-Social Model 8
+ Kolhberg’s Moral Development 9 Model
+ Loevinger’s Ego Development 10 Model
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+ Kegan’s Constructive Development 13 Theory: the evolution of consciousness n Stage 1: Impulsive Mind n Stage 2: Instrumental Mind n Stage 3: Socialized Mind n Stage 4: Self-Authoring Mind n Stage 5: Self- Transforming Mind
+ 14 The Evolving Self & In Over Our Heads: the mental demands of everyday life
+ How does this change happen? The Subject/Object relationship 3 minutes
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+ Q. How does the change happen? A. The “subject-object move” n The subject/object relationship (impulses, needs, desires, social relationships, personal agency, one’s own sense of identity/self- authorship, etc.), i.e., what was subject (me) is now object (it) n Examples: in adolescence, I “am” my peer group and they are me. Later in life, I “have” relationships. n In early adulthood, we identify with our abilities, our strengths, our skills. Later in life, I have these, but now they are more like tools in a tool box. n In middle adulthood, I identify with my plans, my goals, my achievements, my self-generated world view. Later, these plans, achievements, and goals are seen to be partial, and I long for a greater sense of purpose and connectedness…
+ Development Growth Moves in the Direction of Increasing Complexity Dualistic thinking (either/or) Dialectical thinking (both/and)
+ Constructive-Developmental Theory 19 (Kegan, 1982, 1994) n Person as Meaning Maker n Development occurs on the basis of the Subject/Object distinction; growth in cognitive complexity n Growth from stage to stage is driven by the alternating need/desire for agency or communion n Supports & Challenges (Holding Environment) for Growth vary (example)
+ Clarifying Questions? 15 min 20
+ Ways of Knowing Developmental Lenses for the Ways We Perceive and Make Meaning of Our Experience 21
+ 22 Constructive Developmental Theory (Kegan, 1982) & Ways of Knowing (Drago-Severson, 2004) n Based on three central premises : (1) Constructivism (2) Developmentalism (3) Subject - Object Relationship (e.g.) n A Way of Knowing (Drago-Severson, 2004) shapes all aspects of identity & experience across multiple domains n 4 Ways of Knowing found in adulthood: Instrumental Knower; Socialized Knower; Self-Authoring Knower; Self-Transforming Knower
+ Vertical Growth: Transcending and Including previous stages Vertical Development = Each Stage Transcends and Self-Transformation (Mindsets) Includes what comes before n Expands options for how I make sense of experience n Expands capacity for complexity n Expands range of behaviors in response to challenges n Expands ability to handle uncertainty n Expands mental complexity and emotional intelligence
+ Instrumental Knowers (Stages 2-2/3): 24 n The Golden Rule: “ I’ll do to you what you do to me ” n “ Rule-Bound Self ” (Drago-Severson, 2007) n Others are helpers or obstacles n Reliance on rules , the “right” way/avoiding punishment n Limited capacity for abstract thinking n Orienting Concerns: fear/reward/self gain n E.g. Spiritual Direction/Ministry n Supports and Challenges for Growth
+ Socializing Knowers: (Stages 25 3, 3/4) n “ I should do for you what I hope and expect you should do for me ” n “ Other-Focused Self ” (Drago-Severson, 2007) n Self can think abstractly n Defined by important others’ & society’s expectations n Acceptance & approval are primary; conformity to social norms n Orients to inner states ; feels responsible for other people’s feelings n Orienting Concerns : abstract psychological consequences E.g., Spiritual Direction/Ministry n Supports and Challenges for Growth n
From NY Times 06/07
+ Self-Authoring Knowers: (Stages 4, 27 4/5) n “ Doing for each other supports each of us in meeting our own self-defined values, ideals, and goals and assists in preserving the social order ” n “ Reflective Self ” (Drago-Severson, 2007) n Self generates own values & standards; relies on internal authority n Capacity for healthy conflict - give and take n Self can hold contradictory feelings simultaneously n Meeting one’s own goals is ultimate ; self improvement n Orienting Concerns n E.g., Spiritual Direction/Ministry n Supports and Challenges for Growth
+ Self Transforming Knower: (Stage 5, 28 5/6) “I have the freedom to be myself and to let others be, while at the same time, being open to intimacy with people completely different from me… My own way of being is partial and incomplete without relationship with the other… my becoming is constantly evolving, looping back on itself, and changing. ” n A new balance between capacity for agency and communion n The “ self” system is an object available for attention and constant discernment…the “ fourth person” perspective . n Dark sides: Power/despair n Orienting concerns : n E.g., Spiritual Direction/Ministry n Supports and Challenges for Growth
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+ Summary of Developmental Movements… 30 n A progression from the simple to the complex n From an external orientation to an inner one n From absolutism and certitude to increasing tolerance for ambiguity and the unknown n From tendency to rely on “ out groups ” and stereotypical thinking to increasing awareness of individual differences and greater empathy with others n From a posture of conformity to group norms toward mature inter-dependence
+ Stages of Faith and Spiritual Maturation Applying Adult Development Theory to Spiritual Growth 31
+ Romans 12:2 32 n “Be renewed by the transformation of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, pleasing, and perfect”
+ Matthew 9:17 33 n “Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the skins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
+ Philippians 2:5 34 n “Have the same mind in you that was in Christ Jesus…”
+ How have I matured in grace and 35 spirit?
+ Consider unfolding images of God 36
+ And of Jesus… 37
+ 1:1 Pair Reflection (10 minutes) 38 n How do you understand “grace” in your own life and development? n From your experience, what is the effect of grace in the lives of your directees?
+ Why Do Ways Of Knowing Matter in 39 Spiritual Direction Relationships? n Implications for working with adults and each other: n Differing expectations n Needing different supports & challenges n In any spiritual/religious community, there will be developmental diversity … n Spiritual directors as part of a robust “ Holding Environment ”
+ What is a “Holding Environment?” 40 n The context in and out of which we grow n 3 Functions : Support; Challenge: Stability n How might understanding this help you in pastoral relationships? n Importance of meeting people where they are and providing both supports and challenges to facilitate development (Drago-Severson, 2004) n Demands sometimes outpace our capacities n Expectations
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