Self Psychology’s Implicit Contribution to Spiritual Development: Empathy and Grace

Abstract Spirituality has been a popular theme not only in pastoral counseling and ministry but also even in the public sphere. However, it is difficult to find an effective theory and model of spiritual development. This essay is intended to provide some information about self psychology’s implicit contribution to spiritual development. Self psychology contributes to spiritual development in four major areas: 1) the self-selfobject relationship model as an ideal human-divine and human-human dynamic model for spiritual development, 2) transmuting internalization as the process of spiritual development, 3) implicit understanding of religion and spirituality,as well as the active role of divine grace for spiritual development, and 4) a developmental-stage-like process of spiritual development. Self psychology provides not only the particular process of spiritual development but also implicit ideas about the inner change of human beings and the content of spiritual development.