On my office shelf is a framed piece of calligraphy with three lines:
“Know thyself.” – Socrates
“Be thyself.” – Cicero
“Give of thyself.” – Jesus Christ
It was a gift when I started in private practice over a decade ago, and it’s remained a quiet, constant reminder.
These lines express a powerful sequence: self-knowledge leads to self-acceptance, which matures into self-gift. St. John Paul II, echoing Vatican II, said it best: “It is in man’s sincere gift of himself that he truly finds himself.”
We are made to grow—toward wholeness and holiness. Modern psychology, despite its complexities, has become central to that journey. Philosopher Philip Rieff described us as “Psychological Man,” highlighting how we now interpret much of life through psychological insight. In a fast, industrial world, this offers us a much-needed compass.
But psychology alone isn’t enough.
Faith + Psychology = Deeper Integration
Therapy—especially in the psychodynamic model—often centers on helping individuals restore their freedom when life feels stuck. This restoration is deeply powerful. But when paired with the richness of Catholic tradition, the possibilities for healing and flourishing expand dramatically.
We begin to understand not just how to grow, but why—and who we are becoming.
The Christo-Cosmic Person
Christ is our model. Fully human and fully divine, He reveals the fullness of what it means to live integrated, whole, and free. In Him, our human capacities and our supernatural calling unite.
This is the vision of the Christo-cosmic person: someone who lives in the reality of Christ, shaped by both natural insight and divine grace. Through baptism, we are invited into a cosmic inheritance—an identity that transcends what psychology alone can define.
The Eucharist: A Daily Reminder
This identity comes alive most clearly at Mass. There, Christ gives Himself fully to us. In the Eucharist, we encounter the ultimate self-gift.
St. John Vianney once asked a peasant what he did during long hours in church. The man simply replied, “I look at Him, and He looks at me.”
To be seen by Christ is to be known. That gaze grounds us more deeply than any therapeutic insight ever could.
Becoming Fully Alive
To “give of thyself” is not just charity—it is our path to becoming who we were created to be. When our psychological life and spiritual life are integrated, we begin to radiate Christ. We step into our Christo-cosmic identity—an identity far beyond what science alone can offer.
It all begins by being willing to look—and to be looked at.
Self-reflection is a powerful way to begin to “know thyself”. If you are looking for easy ways to begin a simple journal, check out this article:
https://www.archangelcatholic.com/blog21/unlocking-inner-peace-through-a-piece-of-paper
