What is Truth? Psychology, Sacramentality, and the Authentic Self

The relationship or balance between id, ego, and superego and the relationship or balance between the conscious mind, the unconscious mind, and the preconscious mind creates for the individual a psychological harmony by which one knows and controls their behavior in response to any given stimuli. That is, psychological health allows for one to not only possess a healthy internal relationship, but also allows for one to develop healthy relationships with the world and especially the people around oneself. The relationship between the id, the ego and the superego and the relationship between the conscious, the unconscious, and the preconscious, itself, seem to suggest that relationship is at the heart of the Authentic Self. Freudian psychology, therefore, is not simply determining who the authentic psychological self is in respect to memory and stimulus, but also preparing one to develop authentic and enduring relationships with the world around oneself. Ultimately, and my students reflect on this concept, Freud helps the patient to know the relationships within their psyche, not just for themselves, but so they can enter into longer more enduring relationships with “the Other”. This is where Freud starts to look more Sacramental.

This sign in Booger Hollow, Arkansas points drivers to a destination, right off the road. In a similar way, psychology is not the destination, itself, but a sign leading us toward the Authentic Self. This is an example of Sacramental Vision. (photo P. Smith)

In terms of anagogical language, one may ask: “to what is Freudian psychology pointing?” If the end-goal is not mental health in and of itself…if the end goal is societal or inter-relational health, then what does that say beyond what is observable in the context of psychoanalysis? Further, if this discussion of psychology suggests that the Authentic Self is somehow connected to more than simply a relationship within oneself (to be at peace with oneself), then what role does relationship with others have to do with the Authentic Self? Perhaps sociology can add to an understanding of relationship and its role in determining the Authentic Self.

To summarize this simply for my students, Sacramentality looks at psychology as a material sign of a deeper Truth of who we are. If we are made in the image and likeness of God and if God is characterized, in part, by relationship, then any relationship we experience in the material world, in the Pit, could be considered a sign pointing to a deeper relationship to which we are called. Some of my students get this immediately. The discussions on Sociology and Philosophy show how this concept is not limited to just psychology.