R.D. Laing's theological hinterland: the contrast between mysticism and communion.

Summary

R.D. Laing's psychiatric approach reflects two contrasting elements of Christian theology: mystical and corporate. His mystical theology, combined with psychoanalytic theory, offers a New Age perspective on recovering authentic selfhood through metanoia. Conversely, his corporate theology emphasizes social inclusion for the mentally ill, especially through therapeutic communities. Laing's work illustrates how post-war British Christians navigated the decline of traditional Christianity by focusing both on inner mysticism and outward social activism.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Contrasting elements in R.D. Laing's psychiatry can be traced to two kinds of Christian theology: mystical theology and corporate theology. On one hand, Laing's mystical theology combined with psychoanalytic theory, to provide a New Age psychotherapeutic account of the recovery of authentic selfhood via metanoia. On the other, his incarnational, corporate theology promoted social inclusion of the mentally ill, particularly via therapeutic communities. For Laing, as for other post-war British Christians, a turn inwards, to mysticism and the sacralization of the self, and a turn outwards, to social and political activism, were ways of negotiating with the decline of traditional Christianity.