Language and Self-Transformation A Study of the Christian Conversion Narrative [Hardcover]

Using the Christian conversion narrative as a primary example, this book examines how people deal with emotional conflict through language.This is a study of how self-transformation may occur through the practice of reframing one's personal experience in terms of a canonical language: that is, a system of symbols that purports to explain something about human beings and the universe they live in. The Christian conversion narrative is used as the primary example here, but the approach used in this book also illuminates other practices SH such as psychotherapy SH in which people deal with emotional conflict through language.This is a study of how self-transformation may occur through the practice of reframing one's personal experience in terms of a canonical language: that is, a system of symbols that purports to explain something about human beings and the universe they live in. The Christian conversion narrative is used as the primary example here, but the approach used in this book also illuminates other practices SH such as psychotherapy SH in which people deal with emotional conflict through language.This is a study of how self-transformation may occur through the practice of reframing one's personal experience in terms of a canonical language: that is, a system of symbols that purports to explain something about human beings and the universe they live in. The Christian conversion narrative is used as the primary example here, but the approach used in this book also illuminates other practices such as psychotherapy in which people deal with emotional conflict through language.1. Introduction; 2. Character and intention; 3. Boundaries; 4. Dreams; 5. Miracles; 6. Roles; 7. Against a theory of volition; Appendix. His [Stromberg's] transcriptions are especially valuable because they provide vivid illustration of the nature of contemporary conversions and, through the salient differences between these and the more ancient paradigms, are provocative for studies of the lsß