Self, Soul and Spirit – Suicidology ’ s Blind-Spots?

David Webb - Victoria University [email protected]

Finding meaning to sustain life: The place of spirituality in suicide prevention

Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) Conference Brisbane, June 2003 SPA Conference June 2003 Self, Soul and Spirit Slide: 1

Suicidology, Self and Spirituality Suicidology - “the science of suicidal behavior” • three ‘parent’ disciplines: psychiatry, psychology and sociology Self - the ‘sui’ in suicide • both victim and perpetrator • but not examined by suicidology - why?

Spirituality - “that which is not material” • one way, rich in meaning, of knowing the self • but not examined by suicidology - why?

SPA Conference June 2003 Self, Soul and Spirit Slide: 2

A Conceptual Framework - Wilber’s 4 Quadrants

v i i Interior

Upper-Left Subjective Intention Aesthetics

I - the Beautiful Exterior

Upper-Right Objective Behaviour Empirical Sciences

It - the True l l o e v i

Lower-Left Inter-Subjective Culture Morals

We - the Good

SPA Conference June 2003 Self, Soul and Spirit Lower-Right Inter-Objective Social Social/Eco Sciences

Its - the True

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The Full Spectrum of Consciousness Non-Dual Spirit Spirit Soul Mind Life Sources: Plotinus Aurobindo St. Teresa Grof Steiner Baldwin Habermas Maslow Biology Psychology Theology Mysticism Buddhism Yoga Kabbalah Vedanta Theosophy Sufism SPA Conference June 2003 Self, Soul and Spirit Slide: 4

All Quadrants, All Levels

I - Subjective It - Objective We - Inter-Subjective

SPA Conference June 2003 Self, Soul and Spirit

Its - Inter-Objective

Slide: 5

Flatland “the great nightmare of scientific materialism was upon us (Whitehead), the nightmare of one dimensional man (Marcuse), the disqualified universe (Mumford), the colonisation of art and morals by science (Habermas), the disenchantment of the world (Weber) – a nightmare I have also called flatland” Ken Wilber (2000) SPA Conference June 2003 Self, Soul and Spirit Slide: 6

Original Voice

To The World

Alone I am as I sit at the lake’s edge throwing pebbles.

The colour of my soul is so black, my heart so heavy, That even the pleasant sound of robins drifting from a nearby glade Cannot soothe my feelings of bitterness and emptiness.

The warmth of the sun does not reach me as I hide behind a face of questionable character.

Who is this person who is always gay and nonchalant?

A second self perhaps … a creature born out of search for sanctuary Simply a lifeless carcass to hide within during times of display.

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Original Voice

Trust, faithfulness, compassion … words which no longer hold meaning for me, Have been replaced with betrayal, isolation and worthlessness.

All blended together to create this dark and sour being which is my true self.

I long for the day when I can feel love, happiness and a sense of purpose again Surely there will come a time when the seed of life Which has been planted and buried deep inside of me Can blossom into something wonderful, something special, something joyous to behold, Please nourish me … Let me grow … I yearn to live …

Written by Adam Kemp in October 1995 In January 1996, Adam Kemp took his life, age 19.

(Source: Donaghy 1997) SPA Conference June 2003 Self, Soul and Spirit Slide: 8

References Donaghy, B. (1997).

Leaving Early: youth suicide - the horror, the heartbreak, the hope.

Sydney: HarperCollins Maris, R. W., Berman, A. L., & Silverman, M. M. (Eds.). (2000).

Comprehensive Textbook of Suicidology

. New York: Guilford Press.

Shneidman, E. S. (1996).

The Suicidal Mind

. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Wilber, K. (2000).

Integral Psychology: Consciousness, Spirit, Psychology, Therapy

. Boston: Shambhala.

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