Abstract
In this paper, I trace the debate over narcissism in deinstitutionalized and heavily psychologized spiritualities. First, I summarize how Sigmund Freud’s discussion with Romain Rolland about the “oceanic feeling” established the classical psychoanalytic view of mysticism as a regression to primary narcissism. Second, I review how Heinz Kohut’s radical reconceptualization of narcissism has played a seminal role in socio-cultural interpretations of modern psychologized spirituality. Third, I explore how a contemporary psychospiritual tradition, A.H. Almaas’s Diamond Approach, details the relationship between narcissism and mysticism. Finally, I reflect on the benefits of a dialogical approach between psychoanalysis and spirituality arguing that the types of integrative psychospirituality envisioned by Romain and developed more fully by Almaas have the potential to facilitate the mature transformation of narcissism.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Almaas, A. H. (2001). The point of existence: Transformations of narcissism in self realization. Boston: Shambhala.
Bellah, R. N., Madsen, R., Sullivan, W. M., Swidler, A., & Tipton, S. M. (Eds.). (1985). Habits of the heart: Individualism and commitments in American life. Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Carrette, J., & King, R. (2005). Selling spirituality. London: Routledge.
Clarke, J. J. (1995). C.G. Jung on the East. London: Routledge.
Engler, J. (2003). Being somebody and being nobody: a reexamination of the understanding of self in psychoanalysis and Buddhism. In J. Safran (Ed.), Psychoanalysis and Buddhism, pp. 35–100. Boston: Wisdom Publications.
Faber, M. D. (1996). New age thinking. Ottawa: The University of Ottawa Press.
Ferrer, J. (2002). Revisioning transpersonal theory. Albany: State University of New York Press.
Fuller, R. C. (1982). Mesmerism and the American cure of souls. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
Fuller, R. C. (1986). Americans and the unconscious. New York: Oxford University Press.
Fuller, R. C. (1989). Alternative medicine and American religious life. New York: Oxford University Press.
Hanegraaff, W. (1989). New age religion and Western culture: Esotericism in the mirror of secular thought. Albany: State University of New York Press.
Homans, P. (1979). Jung in context. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Klein, A. (1995). Meeting the great bliss queen. Boston: Beacon.
Kohut, H. (1971). Analysis of the self. New York: International University Press.
Kohut, H. (1977). The restoration of the self. New York: International University Press.
Kornfield, J. (2000). After the ecstasy, the laundry: How the heart grows wise on the spiritual path. New York: Bantham Books.
Lasch, C. (1979). The culture of narcissism. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.
Masson, J. (1980). The oceanic feeling: The origin of the religious sentiment in ancient India. Dordrecht: D. Reidel.
Parsons, W. B. (1989). The enigma of the oceanic feeling. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Parsons, W. B. (2001). Themes and debates in the psychology-comparativist dialogue. In W. B. Parsons & D. Jonte-Pace (Eds.), Religion and psychology: Mapping the terrain, pp. 229–253. London: Routledge.
Parsons, W. B. (2008). Psychologia perennis and the academic study of mysticism. In W. B. Parsons, D. Jonte-Pace & S. Henking (Eds.), Mourning religion, pp. 97–123. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press.
Parsons, W. B., & Jonte-Pace, D. (2001). Introduction: mapping religion and psychology. In W. B. Parsons & D. Jonte-Pace (Eds.), Religion and Psychology: Mapping the Terrain, pp. 1–29. London: Routledge.
Partridge, C. (2005). The re-enchantment of the West, Volume 2: Alternative spiritualities, sacralization, popular culture and occulture. New York: T & T Clarke International.
Preece, R. (2006). The wisdom of imperfection: The challenge of individuation in Buddhist life. Ithaca: New York; Snow Lion Publications.
Prothero, S. (1996). The white buddhist: The Asian Odyssey of Henry Steel Olcott. Indiana University Press.
Rieff, P. (1966). The triumph of the therapeutic. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Robertson, R. (1978). Meaning and change: Explorations in the cultural sociology of modern societies. New York: New York University Press.
Rubin, J. B. (1996). Psychotherapy and Buddhism: Toward an integration. New York and London: Plenum.
Tarrant, J. (1998). The light inside the dark: Zen, soul and the spiritual life. New York: HarperPerennial.
Versluis, A. (1993). American transcendentalism & Asian religions. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Vitz, P. (1977). Psychology as religion: The cult of self-worship. William B: Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Welwood, J. (2002). Toward a psychology of awakening: Buddhism, psychotherapy, and the personal and spiritual transformation. Shambhala: Boston.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gleig, A. The Culture of Narcissism Revisited: Transformations of Narcissism in Contemporary Psychospirituality. Pastoral Psychol 59, 79–91 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-009-0207-9
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-009-0207-9