Interior Integration for Catholics 168 Restless Hearts: St. Augustine and Catholic Parts Work
Jun 16, 2025
Dr. Gerry Crete, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and Dr. Christian Amalu, a postdoctoral fellow specializing in Internal Family Systems, dive into the profound insights of St. Augustine's *Confessions*. They explore Augustine's 'divided heart' and how it aligns with parts work, discussing the balance of intellect and heartfelt conversion. Listeners learn about the struggle with conflicting wills, transformative grief, and the importance of delight over duty in spiritual journeys. An experiential exercise invites reflection on one's restless parts, promoting integration and grace.
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Teen Bus Ride With Augustine
- Gerry recalled reading the Confessions on a cross-country bus trip at age 16 and feeling deeply connected to Augustine's inner life.
- That early encounter illustrated how accessible Augustine's spiritual autobiography can be across centuries.
Soul's Eye And Inner Accompaniment
- Augustine describes an inward 'soul's eye' and a layered interiority where God accompanies inner inspection.
- Going inward for Augustine is both a way to know oneself and to encounter God directly within the depths of the soul.
Voices Of Temptation And Continence
- Augustine's narrative contains voices that tempt and voices that invite virtue, resembling IFS manager and firefighter roles.
- He records muttering temptations and a chaste dignity calling him, portraying parts contesting control of the will.
