Full size book cover of Primary Process Impacts and Dreaming the Undreamable Object in the Work of Michael Eigen: Becoming the Welcoming Object}

Primary Process Impacts and Dreaming the Undreamable Object in the Work of Michael Eigen: Becoming the Welcoming Object

Loray Daws, Keri S. Cohen

Primary Process Impacts and Dreaming the Undreamable Object in the Work of Michael Eigen examines Eigen’s rich phenomenological work on becoming a welcoming object.

The contributors to this collection explore the core theme with reference to key Eigen works including Feeling Matters and Contact with the Depths. As a primary process psychoanalyst, Eigen’s writing reflects a unique rhythm of faith that is able to "revivify" union-distinction body-affect-thinking potentialities within a creative psychoanalytic dyad. In this book, alongside its companion volume, Toxic Nourishment and Damaged Bonds in the Work of Michael Eigen, contemporary Eigen readers and writers articulate the various welcoming processes and attitudes needed to cultivate a "Hearing Heart," a central ingredient in reaching and touching those parts of self-deemed unwanted, unwelcomed, and even traumatized. Primary Process Impacts and Dreaming the Undreamable Object in the Work of Michael Eigen represents a wide range of psychoanalytic perspectives, and the chapters describe the genius of Eigen as well as contribute their own clinical and academic acumen.

Presenting a key aspect of Michael Eigen's transformational aesthetic, this book will be of great interest to psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, and all those with an interest in psychoanalytic and spiritual psychology.

Publisher

Routledge

Publication Date

6/28/2024

ISBN

9781040032329

Pages

227

Categories

Psychology

Questions & Answers

Michael Eigen's primary process psychoanalysis redefines the therapeutic relationship and the analyst's role by emphasizing the analyst's capacity to be a "welcoming object." This means the analyst must be open to the patient's emotional experiences, even the most difficult or unwanted ones, without judgment or preconceived notions. Eigen's approach fosters a unique rhythm of faith, where the analyst accompanies the patient on a journey back to their generative core, healing the wounds of lack and trauma. The analyst's role shifts from a traditional healer to a facilitator of the patient's own healing process, using their presence and attunement to create a space for the patient's inner experiences to emerge and be processed. This approach encourages a deeper understanding of the patient's psyche and promotes a transformative healing process that goes beyond symptom relief.

The "Hearing Heart" concept in Eigen's psychoanalytic practice is significant as it embodies the analyst's capacity to deeply attune to the patient's emotional experience, particularly in the face of trauma and breakdown. It signifies the analyst's willingness to open themselves fully to the patient's world, staying open and attuned, and sensing, hearing, and feeling the patient's trauma or breakdown. This concept underscores the importance of empathy and presence in therapy, emphasizing that the analyst must be willing to bear the weight of the patient's pain and scream, even when it is unimaginable or unaddressable. By cultivating a "Hearing Heart," Eigen suggests that the analyst can facilitate the patient's healing process by providing a space for the expression and integration of their trauma, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the complexities of trauma and breakdown. This approach allows for the exploration of the patient's inner world, fostering a sense of connection and support that is crucial for therapeutic change and growth.

Michael Eigen's concept of the 'Welcoming Object' is integral to the development of a 'Sensitive Self' and the capacity to bear with another during emotional storms. The Welcoming Object is an approach that embraces all experiences, including the unwanted and difficult, fostering an environment where emotional processing can occur. This concept emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and granting space for emotional storms, rather than trying to suppress them.

By cultivating a 'Sensitive Self,' Eigen suggests the ability to be open to and understand one's own and others' emotional experiences. This sensitivity allows individuals to navigate emotional challenges with greater resilience, as they are not afraid to confront and process intense emotions. The Welcoming Object serves as a guide, encouraging the analyst to be present with the patient's emotional experiences, even when they are difficult or overwhelming.

In the face of emotional storms, the capacity to bear with another is crucial. Eigen's Welcoming Object approach supports this capacity by promoting a rhythm of faith, which involves embracing the unpredictability of emotional experiences and allowing them to transform. This rhythm of faith allows individuals to remain open to the possibility of growth and change, even amidst the chaos of emotional storms. By welcoming both the self and others, individuals can cultivate deeper connections and a greater sense of shared humanity.

Michael Eigen's integration of Kabbalah and psychoanalysis enriches our understanding of the human psyche and therapy by highlighting the mystical and spiritual dimensions of psychological experience. His approach emphasizes the importance of the "suchness" of the moment, the ineffable quality of experience, and the presence of the divine in the therapeutic process. Eigen's work underscores the significance of the "rhythm of faith," a process of reawakening the traumatized self and welcoming the unknown. This integration fosters a therapeutic space that is open to the mystical and spiritual, allowing for a deeper exploration of the patient's inner world and facilitating transformative experiences. Eigen's unique perspective encourages therapists to embrace the ineffable and the sacred, leading to a more holistic and profound understanding of the human psyche and therapeutic process.

Michael Eigen's emphasis on the 'basic rhythm' of breakdown and repair is foundational to the therapeutic process. This rhythm, characterized by the oscillation between breakdown and recovery, is seen as a fundamental aspect of human experience and mental health. For the analyst, understanding and working with this rhythm is crucial:

  1. Creating a Safe Space: The analyst must create an environment where breakdowns are acknowledged and not pathologized. This allows patients to experience their emotions fully and work through them.

  2. Supporting Growth: By recognizing the natural rhythm of breakdown and repair, the analyst can support the patient's growth and development. This involves helping the patient learn to tolerate and process emotions, leading to increased resilience.

  3. Facilitating Transformation: The analyst uses the rhythm to guide the patient through transformative experiences, helping them to integrate and understand their emotions and experiences.

  4. Building Trust: The analyst's ability to stay with the patient through both breakdowns and repairs builds trust and a strong therapeutic alliance.

  5. Promoting Self-Understanding: The rhythm encourages the patient to explore their inner world, fostering self-awareness and understanding.

In essence, Eigen's focus on the basic rhythm of breakdown and repair provides a framework for the analyst to support the patient's emotional and psychological development, leading to healing and growth.

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