"The loss of compassion"

On the death of Arno Gruen

  • Ulla Pfluger-Heist
Keywords: Splitting of sorrow, helplessness and pain, autonomy, empathy, compassion, self, shared humanity

Abstract

The motivation for this article is how the death of Arno Gruen has touched the author. It summarizes the basic thoughts, which Gruen has developed in his work. It honors Gruens deep reflections about what it means to be human, how humanness can be destroyed and how it can be found again and developed to a deeper level. The article deals also with Gruens research about authentic identity, what it is and what it is not and with his never ending engagement to regain empathy, compassion and shared humanity, which lead out of a narrowing of an abstract consciousness towards a widening of the awareness. The author must confess that she is not able to give full justice to the depth and differentiation of Arno Gruens work.

Author Biography

Ulla Pfluger-Heist

born 1953, Dipl.-Päd., HP Psychotherapy, enthusiastic grandmother of five grandchildren, co-founder of the Psychosynthese-House Allgäu-Bodensee (1986), since then also working in private practice: Individual work, seminars, training in psychosynthesis. Main focus: Personal and transpersonal psychosynthesis, dream and symbol work, focusing, trauma therapy (Somatic Experiencing®). The love of language and dialogue has not only paved the way into psychotherapy, but also into writing. Numerous publications in the field of Transpersonal Psychotherapy and consciousness research as well as two books: "In der Seele liegt die Kraft" (3rd edition 2014), "Mal sehen, was das Leben noch zu bieten hat" (2009). Contact: www.pfluger-heist.de

Published
2016-07-20
Issue
Vol. 22 No. 1 (2016): Issue 1/2016
Section
Artikel