Cobb, John B. Jr. “Wholeness Centered in Spirit.” In Spirit Centered Wholeness: Beyond the Psychology of Self, edited by H. Newton Malony, Michele Papen-Daniels & Howard Clinebell, 225-45. Lewiston/Queenston: The Edwin Mellen Press, 1988.

Abstract

“Wholeness” and “spirit” have diverse meaning. This paper describes two ideals for human existence associated respectively with selected meanings. Understood in this way spirit as commitment to a transcending cause is in tension with wholeness. Wholeness cannot be expanded to include spirit, but if the cause to which spirit is committed is sufficiently inclusive, spirit-centered wholeness is possible. Such a wholeness lacks the spontaneity of wholeness without spirit. This spontaneity can be recovered in wholeness centered in spirit.