Unconscious Spirituality: Toward a Contemporary Conceptualization

The concept of unconscious spirituality has not received sufficient academic attention despite appearing in psychotherapeutic theories and clinical practice. This article reviews the history and complexity of the idea, discusses the theories of James and Jung, and focuses on the less explored work of Victor Frankl. It then turns to contemporary clinical theories and proposes defining unconscious spirituality as an unperceived connection with the sacred, especially a connection with one's true self or spiritual core. The aim is to contribute to a more inclusive and universal conceptualization of unconscious spirituality.

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Abstract

Until now, the concept of unconscious spirituality has not received sufficient academic attention. Despite the fact that it surfaces now and then in various psychotherapeutic theories and clinical practice, it lacks appropriate conceptualization. The aim of this article is to address this issue. We shall begin with a short presentation of the history and complexity of the concept of unconscious spirituality. Subsequently, we will discuss at some length the theories of James and Jung, to then focus on the much less explored work of Victor Frankl. Lastly, we will turn to some contemporary clinical theories and conclude with a proposal for defining unconscious spirituality as an unperceived connection with the sacred, especially as a connection with one’s true self or spiritual core. We hope that this will be a meaningful contribution to developing a more inclusive and universal conceptualization of unconscious spirituality.