Psychoanalysis and Postmodern Spirituality

It is well known that since the eighteenth century the most optimistic proponents of the Enlightenment and the scientific paradigm have been predicting the demise of spirituality. This has proven to be only partially true. Statistical studies (Wuthnow) have shown that the scientific mind-set has succeeded in establishing itself as an alternative paradigm in the thinking of most people. However, people also tend to mix scientific and spiritual views in varying proportions. Thus, science has succeeded, but on the other hand empirical evidence points largely to the survival of spirituality in the post-secular era.

Spirituality has become a growing focus of interest in contemporary Western culture. After a couple of centuries witnessing the rapid growth of science and modernity, it now is plausible to assume that postmodern-world people are interested in legitimizing and reappropriating the truths embedded in traditional cross-cultural ways and practices. Sociological studies (Roof & Roazen) describe how European and United States disenchantment with traditional Western religion has led to a search for spiritual alternatives such as Westernized versions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Moreover, it is interesting to note that, with the exception of fundamentalists, most people appear to be retaining the values of a modern secular society as well.

Political developments initiated by the Enlightenment have also helped to make the contemporary landscape possible. It can be argued that the democratic pluralism emerging from the Enlightenment not only undermined the dominant position of the Judeo-Christian religious tradition but unwittingly also curtailed the possible ideological hegemony of the scientific paradigm. The modern value of tolerance and pluralism combined with migration patterns associated with post-colonialism, plus the development of technologies of mass communication and transportation within a global economy, have led to a convergence of many traditional models nerv