Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 18, 2001, Page 80
Surrender of Self in Spiritual Practice
Surrender of the self for spiritual growth and the needs of the community are emphasized in
many cults, USCs and even healthy spiritual groups. Again this topic can be included
exclusively through the use of stories such as Abraham and his son (below) or with
cognitive descriptions in a handout. Topics that could be included in a handout may consider
cultural variations in the appropriate exercise of personal choice and communal focus.
Means of determining balance between surrender and the maintenance of critical thinking
can be discussed. One provocative point of view that may be included is that of Kramer and
Alstad (Blacker, 1996), who assert that the utter failure of spiritual groups is due at least in
part to spiritual goals of selflessness. Kramer and Alstad said, ―One of the longest
experiments in history, the approximately 3,000 year-old Eastern ideology of Oneness, was
first developed in the Upanishads…The failure of its renunciate morality to diminish self-
centeredness is a powerful statement that something is amiss‖ (1993, p. 32). Kramer also
believes that teaching of selflessness causes people to doubt themselves, leaving them
susceptible to authoritarian manipulation (Blacker, 1996).
Messages regarding the benefits of commitment and surrender to God, or spiritual practice
drawn from mainstream sources, can also be included in the handout. There is little doubt
that millions of people find fulfillment in the progressive reduction in self-concerns and
renunciation of pursuits that have little meaning. At the same time, the story of Dr. Jeckyl
and Mr. Hyde (Stevenson, 1886) relates the tragic consequences of an individual that tries
to purify himself by extinguishing his negative traits. As Dr. Jeckyl emphasized the
respectable and valued traits, the more dangerous, unconscious and out-of-control his
alternate personality of Mr. Hyde became (Stevenson, 1886). Mr. Hyde holds the aspects of
us that are socially unacceptable, repulsive and avoided. This simple story illustrates the old
Japanese saying, ―the bigger the front, the bigger the back.‖ The children‘s movie, ―The
Dark Crystal,‖ has a lovely depiction of the need to integrate what we would call positive
and negative aspects of ourselves.
Projection and the Student-Teacher Relationship
This topic is related to the previous two topics (teachers and surrender) and it could be
incorporated with them or stand alone, depending on the sophistication of the group. While
the concept of ―projection‖ is familiar to psychotherapists, it may be abstract for clients. It
would be more appropriate to raise it later in the group process, when the group can take
the topic without being distracted by the potentially discursive issues. The topic will only be
effective if it includes visceral reactions as part of processing the ideas.
Just as Stendl-Rast (1996) interpreted Jesus‘ message as suggesting we look inside to find
God without intermediaries, Buddha and Rumi made the same suggestions in other parts of
the world. Yet humankind continues its tendency to look outward for authority. It is no
different within psychology, when students take the concepts of innovators and attempt to
find the formula with which to apply it in a mechanical fashion. In each case, when we act
on these tendencies, we are doubting our own gifts and projecting our strength and
authority onto another. Marion Woodman was able to clearly communicate her observation
of this tendency in the Kripalu community and conclude that the job of the community was
to take back its projections (Cope, 1999, p. 273-4, 288)
The tale of Narcissus and Echo shows an interesting perspective on the issue. In the story,
Narcissus felll in love with his own image reflected in the water. The nymph Echo fell in love
with Narcissus, but having been previously cursed by Juno, could only repeat what was said
by others. Narcissus, mistaking his reflection in the water for a water sprite, would say ―I
love you,‖ or ―you‘re beautiful.‖ Echo would repeat his words in her voice so that Narcissus
Surrender of Self in Spiritual Practice
Surrender of the self for spiritual growth and the needs of the community are emphasized in
many cults, USCs and even healthy spiritual groups. Again this topic can be included
exclusively through the use of stories such as Abraham and his son (below) or with
cognitive descriptions in a handout. Topics that could be included in a handout may consider
cultural variations in the appropriate exercise of personal choice and communal focus.
Means of determining balance between surrender and the maintenance of critical thinking
can be discussed. One provocative point of view that may be included is that of Kramer and
Alstad (Blacker, 1996), who assert that the utter failure of spiritual groups is due at least in
part to spiritual goals of selflessness. Kramer and Alstad said, ―One of the longest
experiments in history, the approximately 3,000 year-old Eastern ideology of Oneness, was
first developed in the Upanishads…The failure of its renunciate morality to diminish self-
centeredness is a powerful statement that something is amiss‖ (1993, p. 32). Kramer also
believes that teaching of selflessness causes people to doubt themselves, leaving them
susceptible to authoritarian manipulation (Blacker, 1996).
Messages regarding the benefits of commitment and surrender to God, or spiritual practice
drawn from mainstream sources, can also be included in the handout. There is little doubt
that millions of people find fulfillment in the progressive reduction in self-concerns and
renunciation of pursuits that have little meaning. At the same time, the story of Dr. Jeckyl
and Mr. Hyde (Stevenson, 1886) relates the tragic consequences of an individual that tries
to purify himself by extinguishing his negative traits. As Dr. Jeckyl emphasized the
respectable and valued traits, the more dangerous, unconscious and out-of-control his
alternate personality of Mr. Hyde became (Stevenson, 1886). Mr. Hyde holds the aspects of
us that are socially unacceptable, repulsive and avoided. This simple story illustrates the old
Japanese saying, ―the bigger the front, the bigger the back.‖ The children‘s movie, ―The
Dark Crystal,‖ has a lovely depiction of the need to integrate what we would call positive
and negative aspects of ourselves.
Projection and the Student-Teacher Relationship
This topic is related to the previous two topics (teachers and surrender) and it could be
incorporated with them or stand alone, depending on the sophistication of the group. While
the concept of ―projection‖ is familiar to psychotherapists, it may be abstract for clients. It
would be more appropriate to raise it later in the group process, when the group can take
the topic without being distracted by the potentially discursive issues. The topic will only be
effective if it includes visceral reactions as part of processing the ideas.
Just as Stendl-Rast (1996) interpreted Jesus‘ message as suggesting we look inside to find
God without intermediaries, Buddha and Rumi made the same suggestions in other parts of
the world. Yet humankind continues its tendency to look outward for authority. It is no
different within psychology, when students take the concepts of innovators and attempt to
find the formula with which to apply it in a mechanical fashion. In each case, when we act
on these tendencies, we are doubting our own gifts and projecting our strength and
authority onto another. Marion Woodman was able to clearly communicate her observation
of this tendency in the Kripalu community and conclude that the job of the community was
to take back its projections (Cope, 1999, p. 273-4, 288)
The tale of Narcissus and Echo shows an interesting perspective on the issue. In the story,
Narcissus felll in love with his own image reflected in the water. The nymph Echo fell in love
with Narcissus, but having been previously cursed by Juno, could only repeat what was said
by others. Narcissus, mistaking his reflection in the water for a water sprite, would say ―I
love you,‖ or ―you‘re beautiful.‖ Echo would repeat his words in her voice so that Narcissus
