Eric Neumann Scapegoating; Spiritual Accompaniment

In his book “Depth Psychology and a new Ethic,” written in response to the Holocaust, Neumann argues that the “old ethic,” which pursued an illusory perfection by repressing the “shadow,” has lost its power to deal with contemporary problems. He argued that Judeo-Christian morality represses evil, leading to horrific phenomena such as Nazism. Every person has to accept the evil within him or her, not to cast it away and not to repress but to live with it, sometimes even to manifest it, and to pay the price of sorrow and guilt feelings. He was convinced that the deadliest danger now confronting humanity is the “scapegoat” psychology associated with the old ethic. We are in the grip of this psychology when we project our own dark shadow onto an individual or group identified as our “enemy,” failing to see it in ourselves. The only alternative to this shadow projection is its recognition, and integration into the totality of the self. The goal of the new ethic is wholeness, not perfection.      From Jurgen Braungardt’s website

This practice of "Spiritual Accompaniment" may be a bridge.

It's the process of contemplative listening carried out in the context of a one-to-one trusting and confidential relationship. A trained spiritual director journeys with another person by listening to that person’s life story and experiences with an ear for the movement of the spirit, the presence of the sacred, and/or the insights that come from making deep meaningful connections. By offering supportive responses as appropriate and encouraging deepening reflection, clients can open up to new understandings and paths of growth. Spiritual accompaniment is typically conducted in monthly sessions that range from 45 - 60 minutes.