earticle

영어

According to self psychology, selfobject is experienced as part of the self, and they are very important to develop healthy, cohesive self. A a child develops self in both ways(through grandiose self and idealized self), firstly by parent's empathic response. And if a child fails to get enough empathic response as selfobject from parents, his self become weak, or in worse, fragmented. So we cannot live without selfobject. Kohut says that the goal of cure is not to make autonomous self structure but build self ability to find appropriate selfobject and to use it, for stability and cohesiveness of self. Kohut also says that as an individual self, an organization can be a group self. In this vein, I'd like say that a church can be a self, also church life can supply empathic response to people who cannot have poorly empathic response from parents in early life, by the help of welcoming people, impressive services, soothing massages and bible studies. And I insist that God grant us the most profound and fundamental grace to develope cohesiveness of self, so we can experience grace as supreme empathic selfobject through maintaining, enhancing the relationship with God. I suggest pastors and pastoral counselors are to help people to experience grace as selfobject.