Re-reading 'The Way of a Pilgrim': A research project utilizing contemplative psychology

Contemplative psychology -- a distinctive form of psychology developed by psychologist Han F. de Wit that focuses on spiritual development -- aims to expose the psychological insights embedded in spiritual traditions, including those that are expressed within texts specific to any particular spiritual tradition. In this doctoral thesis, contemplative psychology is brought into dialogue with an Eastern Christian Spiritual classic -- The Way of a Pilgrim -- so as to expose the psychological insights that it contains. Of particular interest are the ways in which the main character -- a pilgrim (strannik) -- changes in his thoughts, words, and actions, as well as his relationships with himself, God, others, and the world as he practices hesychast spirituality.;To accomplish its task, this dissertation first sets the stage for dialogue between psychology and spirituality in general, and between Eastern Christian Spirituality and contemplative psychology more specifically. It then provides an overview of The Way of a Pilgrim and current research on this classic text. Using the framework of contemplative psychology as a guide, understandings of the person, spiritual development, spiritual practices, and the role of the spiritual father (starets) from both the perspectives of contemplative psychology and the Eastern Christian Spiritual tradition are next presented. A re-reading of The Way of a Pilgrim is then undertaken using the framework of contemplative psychology with the intent of exposing how the pilgrim changes spiritually as he journeys, interacts with others, and deepens in his spiritual walk. Finally, the dissertation considers the fruit of the dialogue between The Way of a Pilgrim and contemplative psychology, points of convergence and divergence between the dialogue partners, and areas of further research and investigation that became apparent.;In addition to the very specific research regarding the text at hand, this doctoral project has had further outcomes. First, a possible contemplative psychology specific to the Eastern Christian Spiritual tradition is outlined. Second, a determination of the appropriateness De Wit's method for the study of The Way of a Pilgrim is made. Third, an opinion regarding the suitability and benefit of applying De Wit's framework to other aspects of Eastern Christian Spirituality is offered. Fourth, groundwork for dialogue with other major religions regarding the psychological insights inherent in their traditions is laid. Fifth, an alternate approach to dialogue between Eastern Christian Spirituality and academic psychology by way of contemplative psychology is put forward. Sixth, a contribution is made toward the development of a broad and profound universal psychology.;Overall, it was determined that De Wit's well thought-out and comprehensive framework of contemplative psychology was an appropriate research tool for exposing the psychological insights and methods inherent in the Eastern Christian Spiritual tradition. This framework made it possible to illumine psychological insights particular to Eastern Christian Spirituality generally and The Way of a Pilgrim more specifically. The pilgrim's process of spiritual maturation, as revealed in the changes in his thoughts, words, and actions, as well as his relationship with self, God others and the world were revealed.;The hypothesis of this thesis is that the application of contemplative psychology as a heuristic tool (particularly in an Eastern Christian formulation) to The Way of a Pilgrim will illumine the psychological insights and methods that clarify and guide the strannik's spiritual development throughout the course of his life. As a result, the inner structures and patterns of maturation intrinsic to the lifelong spiritual experience of the strannik are exposed, and the psychological insights that the tradition employs in guiding the pilgrim along the spiritual path and facilitating change in his thinking, acting, speaking and relationships are revealed.;In applying De Wit's framework to the Eastern Christian Spiritual tradition, it became evident that there were numerous points of convergence and divergence between contemplative psychology and the Eastern Christian Spiritual tradition. Both consider the ways people change in thought, word and action as they practice a spiritual way of life; are first-person in nature; explore the totality of human experience; maintain that people have freedom to change and develop; and emphasize the anthropological components of the person, spiritual development, movement from the carnal to a spiritual state of being, spiritual practices and the importance of the mentor. Distinctions between the two emerge largely due to the theistic, theanthropocentric nature of Eastern Christian Spirituality, and the non-theistic, anthropocentric approach of contemplative psychology. As a result, understandings of terms such as contemplation, conversion, sin, consciousness, and states of the person differ. Likewise, various spiritual practices and the reasons for their use are understood in very different ways. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...