WE-hood: in Human Dialogue and the Divine
Ebook
Overview
We humans are capable of great relationships. That is, we are capable of grand WE-hood. This is our heritage, though it is often unclaimed. In this book, we explore this heritage, not merely by theorizing about it, but rather by presenting several actual statements of relationship in psychotherapy that clearly embody WE-hood. We will celebrate and study these statements and their significance. We will find that they are significant not only for the pair of persons with whom they came into being, but also for the broader world. After we explore those human-to-human statements, we will note that WE-hood is also said to characterize the divine. We will consider parallels between the WE-hood attributed to the divine and the WE-hood that is observable in human partners in dialogue. Then we will be surprised to see how these two realms of human and divine can come together, and lead to much deepening of the relationships. This deepening will also inform the broader world of language and communication and wisdom and love. Dance in wonder!
”With the insight of a clinician, the wisdom of a philosopher,
and the heart of a theologian, Dr. Reeves explores the
connections--the We-ness--that make us truly human and that bind us
both to God and to others. By using his own clinical experience, he
moves from mere theory and invites us into mutual discovery and
insight."
--Alan Wolkenhauer, Senior Pastor, Historic Trinity Lutheran
Church, Reading, Pennsylvania
“Drawing on his experience as a therapist, Dr. Reeves explores how
insightful statements that benefit both parties reflect and enhance
the mutuality of healthy human relationships. He also draws a
fascinating parallel to the role of the Trinity. Relationality is
grounded in the character of God. The convergence of the
human-human and the divine-human deepens the experience of mutual
growth."
--Darrell Jodock, Professor Emeritus in Religion, Gustavus Adolphus
College
"This is a beautiful, educational presentation of relationships
both human and divine. Dr. Reeves has given us a great gift in
showing us how those relationships work and how to use them."
--Luther Routte, pastor
"Ralph Reeves combines two great passions in his life: the mystery
of the Holy Trinity and the mystery of interpersonal relationships.
Weaving them together so that one provides insight into the other,
he deepens our relationship to God and to one another."
--Fred Opalinski, Realtor, Keller Williams Platinum Realty
"In WE-hood, Dr. Reeves has written a jewel of integration of the
interpersonal process so central to any psychotherapy. His work
ingeniously fuses medical, cognitive, and spiritual aspects of
therapy. Thus he has given us a means of understanding, more
profoundly than ever, the priceless value of good psychotherapy. If
you are a therapist, you should read it. If you are a minister, a
priest, a rabbi, or an imam, you should read it. In this
mechanistic world, Dr. Reeves has shown us that there is no IT or
AI which will replace the intimacy of warm and healing
‘WE-hood.’"
--Larry A. Rotenberg, physician
Product Details
- Title : WE-hood: in Human Dialogue in the Divine
- Authors:
- Reeves, Ralph M., MD
- Stoddard, Gregory Alan
- Publisher: Resource Publications
- Publication Date: 2020
- ISBN: 9781725251663
Ralph M. Reeves, MD is a retired psychiatrist and
psychotherapist in Reading, Pennsylvania. He has worked in a wide
spectrum of settings, with some persons who were severely
disturbed, and others who functioned very well. He aimed for
healing through meeting and included many different approaches. He
believes that the most urgent research for our time will address
deeper and deeper relating between persons and will harvest the
fruits that arise in that process.