I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed the parallels between the confessional booth and the therapist's couch. You did a better job articulating it than I could have, though. Your description of the liberation one feels post-confession is particularly spot-on.
I have a lot of thoughts about this. First, we had the same dog. Same name, same disposition, same habits. Weird quantum canine reality. Second, although I’m not a fan of organized religion, I accept God as a possibility. I don’t pretend to understand what God is, but my connection to God (who has no pronouns) comes through my soul, whose health is affected by my actions. My soul is different from my consciousness, and doesn’t think or feel, but can be affected by thoughts and feelings. So, my wrongs can be righted through the making of amends, and the resentments I feel toward those who wronged me can be ameliorated by my forgiving. My spiritual life feels real to me because it’s shared with those I’ve decided to trust. Which is all to say religion is proprietary and the spirit is not, but religion in its best form offers an awareness of the spirit that is more conveniently packaged. Therapy is useful but conventionally doesn’t involve the spirit and so can’t bring about sustainable spiritual healing. Thanks so much for your post and the opportunity to clarify my thoughts about this part of material existence.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed the parallels between the confessional booth and the therapist's couch. You did a better job articulating it than I could have, though. Your description of the liberation one feels post-confession is particularly spot-on.
Thank you!
I have a lot of thoughts about this. First, we had the same dog. Same name, same disposition, same habits. Weird quantum canine reality. Second, although I’m not a fan of organized religion, I accept God as a possibility. I don’t pretend to understand what God is, but my connection to God (who has no pronouns) comes through my soul, whose health is affected by my actions. My soul is different from my consciousness, and doesn’t think or feel, but can be affected by thoughts and feelings. So, my wrongs can be righted through the making of amends, and the resentments I feel toward those who wronged me can be ameliorated by my forgiving. My spiritual life feels real to me because it’s shared with those I’ve decided to trust. Which is all to say religion is proprietary and the spirit is not, but religion in its best form offers an awareness of the spirit that is more conveniently packaged. Therapy is useful but conventionally doesn’t involve the spirit and so can’t bring about sustainable spiritual healing. Thanks so much for your post and the opportunity to clarify my thoughts about this part of material existence.
Fascinating post. I’ll DM you with more thoughts.