Integrated Formation, A Psycho-Spiritual Perspective

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Integrated Formation: A Psycho-spiritual Perspective is designed to help the formees and formators in the new paradigm shift in formation. As a psychologist, teacher, administrator and formator, Sr. Marie Eugene integrates her understanding of the mind with knowledge of the heart to take the reader to new vistas of person's search for God and the self. Sr. Marie Eugene brings out a psychological and spiritual synthesis in the light of scripture and church documents which is imperative information at this challenging time. She contents that a liberated and mature ego promotes the integration by bringing about abundance of grace. So, nurturing our humanity we accelerate the spiritual goals. An integrated formation consists of all types of human personality-i.e., cognitive, affective, moral spiritual, behavioural and religious leading to an in-depth spirituality.

Formation is a process which enables to accept ourselves as we are and to feel accepted. It is a dynamic process wherein you learn to love and be loved so that we can develop to grow into the persons we are called to be/to become like Christ. Formation aims at an integral/holistic growth of a person and therefore it lasts a life-time (EE). It is a call to ongoing conversion and wholeness (perfection) and holiness (Mt.5:48) in the context of a community.

An Integrated Formation comprises of all aspects of our human maturity — i.e., cognitive, affective, moral, spiritual and religious-behavioural, leading us to an in-depth spirituality. If we are healthy in our own self-esteem, knowledgeable about ourselves, that is - aware of one's conscious and unconscious needs at each level of their intensity and centrality, of the defenses we may slip into, we will be able to handle them constantly and consistently and go beyond one's own personal interests.

The goal of formation is "identification with Christ" and "dispose oneself to pastoral care ministries" according to the Charism and signs of the times. At the initial stages of formation, it enables us to be objectively aware of the integration of our life and mission at all stages of development and to be open to new learning and respond to new demands and challenges in a changing environment. An Integrated formation prepares the vocationers to be inwardly free and be uninfluenced by prejudices or personal preferences in making choices. A psycho-spiritually mature person will have a stronger interior balance and can internalize vocational values by accepting the tension of renunciation/self-denial with inner peace. Therefore, stronger the interior balance and freedom, greater will be their capacity to internalize the vocational values and attitudes. They can take on apostolic challenges relevant to the society by transcending immediate selfish need gratification. The fundamental mission of consecrated life is to show to humanity the "absolute value of the kingdom" to sprout and grow with the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5: 22-23) and a sense of vocational fulfillment with a more secure perseverance. The goal of holistic formation is to be open to the new demands and challenges of "Consecration and Mission" and to lead the formees from the intrapersonal to interpersonal transformation and evangelization of others.

Vinayasadhana, the Institute of Formative Spirituality and Counselling is proud to present this new book in the endowment series to pay loving homage to the great soul, Fr. Canisius who by life and teaching left an indelible mark in the field of formation. The endowment lectures were held at DVK in the month of November 2012 by Dr. Sr. Marie Eugene D' Almeida, A.C. The inspired audience then and there requested the author and the Institute to bring it out in the book form so that the radiance and beauty of the theme could be cherished by many, especially those in the field of formation.

It is quite fitting that Integrated Formation: A Psycho-spiritual Perspective is born here in the Formative Institute. As a psychologist, teacher administrator and formator, Sr. Marie Eugene integrates her understanding of the mind with knowledge of the heart to take the reader to new vistas of person's search for God and the self.

Sr. Marie Eugene in this scholarly book discloses the challenges, hope and anxieties in a personal way that the readers feel she is speaking to the heart directly. The identity of being called demands a definitive break away with the past; he or she cannot remain anymore as a single grain, should die to produce many grains (Jn 12:24-25). Using modern terminology this is self transcendence. The potential for self transcendence is bestowed to human nature. Christian discipleship and formation involves tapping this potential in the best manner which entails understanding human person in his/her entirety. Hence, we bring the psychological and spiritual perspectives together. A good formation, author contends, deal with our human desires both conscious and unconscious. With Lonergan we can concur that effective freedom is present when freedom is exercised as a choice among various alternatives. To make right choices according to ones call a qualitative change in ones motivation and values are essential. Capacity for self transcendence is achieved when our values move to the theocentric level.

In the book the nature of the Actual Self is unfolded with its different levels. In this endeavour the reader is given a glimpse of Rulla's depth psychology that there is a complexity of elements to be dealt with the human psyche before it can reach self transcendent goals. Many stories from the formation house tell the need of forming the formator, hence the author devotes an entire chapter for this sake. Theory without praxis does not take people to the destination. Sr. Marie Eugene realizes this need and presented, An Integrated Formation Model towards the end with graphs and charts. In this model psychodynamic perspective is employed. Ego is viewed to be dynamic and integrates the intra-psychic structures at all levels of personality. In this view grace is an object-relation. It is relational in nature and empowers one to enter into authentic relation with God and intimacy with humans. A liberated and mature ego promotes the integration by bringing abundance of grace. So, nurturing our humanity we accelerate the spiritual goals.

The relationship between psychology and spirituality has been a concern for religious communities and church at large in the past couple of decades. The concern is moved to the realm of cooperation and collaboration exploring areas of common interests. God's truth is contained not only in theology but in psychology and other disciplines too.

Sr. Marie Eugene in her natural simple style added few more bricks in the process of building the bridge between the scientific and religious aspects of human experience. It is my sincere hope that as the endowment lectures in tribute of Fr. Canisius find its book form, it will be received with enthusiasm. To all who are curious and interested in formation I commend this worthy endeavour of Dr. Sr. Marie Eugene A.C.

**Contents and Sample Pages**