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WE-hood
in Human Dialogue and the Divine
Foreword by Gregory Alan Stoddard
Imprint: Resource Publications
We humans are capable of great relationships. That is, we are capable of grand WE-hood. This is our heritage, though it is often unclaimed. In this book, we explore this heritage, not merely by theorizing about it, but rather by presenting several actual statements of relationship in psychotherapy that clearly embody WE-hood. We will celebrate and study these statements and their significance. We will find that they are significant not only for the pair of persons with whom they came into being, but also for the broader world.
After we explore those human-to-human statements, we will note that WE-hood is also said to characterize the divine. We will consider parallels between the WE-hood attributed to the divine and the WE-hood that is observable in human partners in dialogue. Then we will be surprised to see how these two realms of human and divine can come together, and lead to much deepening of the relationships. This deepening will also inform the broader world of language and communication and wisdom and love. Dance in wonder!
Ralph M. Reeves, MD is a retired psychiatrist and psychotherapist in Reading, Pennsylvania. He has worked in a wide spectrum of settings, with some persons who were severely disturbed, and others who functioned very well. He aimed for healing through meeting and included many different approaches. He believes that the most urgent research for our time will address deeper and deeper relating between persons and will harvest the fruits that arise in that process.
"With the insight of a clinician, the wisdom of a philosopher, and the heart of a theologian, Dr. Reeves explores the connections--the We-ness--that make us truly human and that bind us both to God and to others. By using his own clinical experience, he moves from mere theory and invites us into mutual discovery and insight."
--Alan Wolkenhauer, Senior Pastor, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading, Pennsylvania
"Drawing on his experience as a therapist, Dr. Reeves explores how insightful statements that benefit both parties reflect and enhance the mutuality of healthy human relationships. He also draws a fascinating parallel to the role of the Trinity. Relationality is grounded in the character of God. The convergence of the human-human and the divine-human deepens the experience of mutual growth."
--Darrell Jodock, Professor Emeritus in Religion, Gustavus Adolphus College
"This is a beautiful, educational presentation of relationships both human and divine. Dr. Reeves has given us a great gift in showing us how those relationships work and how to use them."
--Luther Routte, pastor
"Ralph Reeves combines two great passions in his life: the mystery of the Holy Trinity and the mystery of interpersonal relationships. Weaving them together so that one provides insight into the other, he deepens our relationship to God and to one another."
--Fred Opalinski, Realtor, Keller Williams Platinum Realty
"In WE-hood, Dr. Reeves has written a jewel of integration of the interpersonal process so central to any psychotherapy. His work ingeniously fuses medical, cognitive, and spiritual aspects of therapy. Thus he has given us a means of understanding, more profoundly than ever, the priceless value of good psychotherapy. If you are a therapist, you should read it. If you are a minister, a priest, a rabbi, or an imam, you should read it. In this mechanistic world, Dr. Reeves has shown us that there is no IT or AI which will replace the intimacy of warm and healing 'WE-hood.'"
--Larry A. Rotenberg, physician