Sacred Psychoanalysis - etheses Repository - University of ...

Eigen paints a different picture from Winnicott, Meissner and Symington and this is seen
visually in how he engages in the central ‘space’ of the diagram.
Figure 9. Eigen (ME1-4)
Eigen’s work is engaging and enigmatic, creating powerful discords and resonances in my
reading of his texts and this was experienced in my personal meeting with him. 522 It is clear
from his writing that he covers all four areas in equal measure as seen in figure 9. While
this is a strength in terms of accommodation and intersubjective presence, Blass’ critique
notes that his language and ideas are elusive (Blass 2006: 27). Eigen writes to create
something in the reader or listener 523 , rather than offer a tightly defined account, and this
522 In December 2006 I travelled to New York to meet and interview a number of psychoanalysts as part of my
research. I had the opportunity to talk with Mike Eigen and join his study group discussing Winnicott’s
Human Nature (Winnicott 1988) where I was warmly welcomed and my research encouraged. Eigen affirmed
me as a researcher and as a spiritual person in a spontaneous expression to the group. Unfortunately I was
unable to interview him due to his patient commitments that day.
523 Joyce describes the impact of Eigen on her spiritual and analytic engagement. ‘For years now I have
participated in seminars on the writing of Wilfred Bion led by Michael Eigen. Eigen emphasizes the primacy
of faith in Bion’s understanding of the analytic attitude. Initially I would leave the seminar feeling I had barely
understood what was being said. But when I returned to my consulting room I was working with deeper
attentiveness and aliveness. Shifts in my sensibility kept, keep occurring. Attentiveness to the evolution of the
emotional truth of a session requires a radical openness that undermines a knowing stance … Bion advocates
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