By Lael Ewy
 | |
| Sunrise Storm by Aristocrats-hat |
David Lukoff (1998) describes the difference between spiritual
emergence and spiritual emergency this way: “In spiritual emergence, (another term from the
transpersonal psychology literature), there is a gradual unfoldment of
spiritual potential with minimal disruption in
psychological/social/occupational functioning, whereas in spiritual emergency there is significant
abrupt disruption in psychological/social/occupational functioning.”
What meaning can we make of this distinction in our own
lives?
A recent series of blog posts by activist/poet/mental health
entrepreneur Corinna West (2013a, 2013b) provides some guidance. In addressing
a spiritual crisis, West applied multiple tools, including the practices and
techniques of several faith traditions, some of which she found more helpful
than others.
A few important ideas can be gleaned from this:
-->The Western world is more comfortable with
the idea of spiritual emergence than it is with spiritual emergency. Part
of this arises from stigma. People who we believe to be “fragile” or “at risk”
are not trusted with sudden anything, much less rapid realignment with or
reassessment of the spiritual forces in their lives. We tend to interpret any dire
change as a crisis, in need of immediate and sometimes coercive correction, no
matter the situation. Being a very religious set of people, this is exacerbated
in the case of spiritual emergency in the US. Gradual change is both less
noticeable and less scary—for those going through it and those who care for
them.
Spiritual emergence is preferred. But it isn’t always possible.
-->Not all faith communities are equally
equipped to handle spiritual emergency. West (2013b) found her non-denominational
spiritual community more helpful than her Christian community. This isn’t
necessarily a fault of the faith tradition itself, but might be specific to a
congregation or community. In this country, we don’t generally think of “church”
as a place to take your spiritual emergency, even though a lot of potential
supporters—from pastors and priests to mental health peers and other laity—might
be found there. Being aware of how equipped your own faith community is to deal
with a spiritual community could help you decide where (or where not) to seek
help.
-->We have to find what works for us. In
West’s (2013a, 2013b) case, she chose to engage several different faith
traditions. If your beliefs or loyalties have you staying within one spiritual
path, you might have to consider who within that tradition could be your best
support. Faith traditions are complex, and so one leader or counselor might not
be as supportive as another. One set of doctrines within that tradition might
be at odds with what you want to accomplish, but another might not be. A
spiritual emergency might even give you a chance to discover aspects of your chosen
faith that are new to you, such a mysticism or meditative techniques that are
not part of everyday practice but still uphold the values you hold dear.
Spiritual emergencies, as frightening as they may be, can also be opportunities
for discovery.
-->Consider complementary supports.
Spiritual succor can be found in unexpected places. Scriptures and sacred
stories are full of important figures retreating into the wilderness to sort
through their spiritual issues, from Jesus’ 40-day sojourn in the desert to Siddhārtha Gautama’s time beneath the Bodhi tree. Connections made
with family and friends can be spiritually uplifting and stabilizing. West
(2103b) mentions connecting with spiritual teachers as well as preachers; she
writes about “reground[ing] yourself” through rituals and diet. During
spiritual emergency, potential peers actually increase, since many people go
through spiritual crises who never have been labeled with a psychiatric diagnosis.
Spiritual emergence and spiritual emergency both have the
potential to change us in positive ways, to strengthen us and increase the
depth of our spiritual experience. If you have the opportunity to engage in
spiritual emergence, you’re lucky. But if you find yourself facing spiritual
emergency, you may discover the degree to which you were already blessed.
References
Lukoff, D. (1998). From
spiritual emergency to spiritual problem: the transpersonal roots of the new
DSM-IV category. Journal of Humanistic
Psychology, 38(2), 21-50. http://www.spiritualcompetency.com/jhpseart.html.
West, C. (2013a, Jan. 2). Christian tools for handling spiritual
emergency. Wellness Wordworks.
Retrieved from http://wellnesswordworks.com/christian-spritual-crisis/.
West, C. (2013b, Jan. 4). Some non-demonimational tools for removing spiritual
beings. Wellness Wordworks. Retrieved
from http://wellnesswordworks.com/removing-spiritual-beings/.
