International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 1, No. 1, 2010 79
S1: story about a family expedition to
mountains
S2: story about starting medical studies
S3: story composed on the basis of the
experience of the father’s leaving
internal editing
in the therapeutic
process
S3
S2
S1
e.g. THE STORY ABOUT ME AND
MY FATHER
My father had never met his father. It
was difficult for him to be a father to
me. But one day, we had a chance to
spend some time in the mountains. I
sprained my ankle on the most difficult
route. My father dressed me and carried
all the way to the nearest shelter. We
had never been so close. That was the
first time I thought about being a
doctor.
S3
S2
S1
e.g. THE STORY ABOUT
LIBERATION FROM MATERIAL
ATTACHMENT
Holly scripture dictates that we should
approach to Highest Lord through guru.
My guru, to whom I bow with respect,
opened my eyes. I’ve understood that
neither material attachment to people
(including father) nor worldly
knowledge (including medicine) can
give me happiness. Nothing that is of
the Earth can satisfy me. I’ve taken up
studies at the spiritual university.
Figure 1: The theoretical model of narrative identity with reference to external vs. internal
editing of one’s personal story.
external editing
by the cult’s ideology
S1: story about a family expedition to
mountains
S2: story about starting medical studies
S3: story composed on the basis of the
experience of the father’s leaving
internal editing
in the therapeutic
process
S3
S2
S1
e.g. THE STORY ABOUT ME AND
MY FATHER
My father had never met his father. It
was difficult for him to be a father to
me. But one day, we had a chance to
spend some time in the mountains. I
sprained my ankle on the most difficult
route. My father dressed me and carried
all the way to the nearest shelter. We
had never been so close. That was the
first time I thought about being a
doctor.
S3
S2
S1
e.g. THE STORY ABOUT
LIBERATION FROM MATERIAL
ATTACHMENT
Holly scripture dictates that we should
approach to Highest Lord through guru.
My guru, to whom I bow with respect,
opened my eyes. I’ve understood that
neither material attachment to people
(including father) nor worldly
knowledge (including medicine) can
give me happiness. Nothing that is of
the Earth can satisfy me. I’ve taken up
studies at the spiritual university.
Figure 1: The theoretical model of narrative identity with reference to external vs. internal
editing of one’s personal story.
external editing
by the cult’s ideology
