The Human Formation Podcast

Ep. 10: Faith & Form Traditions

In this episode we consider van Kaam's faith & form traditions. We all inhabit passed down systems of beliefs or "faith traditions," as well as ways we act, or don't act, on those beliefs ("form traditions"). The question becomes not only the validity of those beliefs, but also our alignment or mal-alignment with them in our lived life.

Ep. 9: Full Field Appraisal

In this episode, we unpack the full field appraisal process as laid out by Fr. van Kaam. This process and disposition takes place as we select and live certain formative events within our formation field. It is distinct in that it engages both a cognitive and emotional element. We also talk about how appraisal is distinct from awareness and discernment.

Ep. 8: Essence & Existence

This episode explores Adrian van Kaam's greatest critique of existentialism — that our essence precedes our existence. Jean Paul Sartre was famous for articulating that human being don't have a "nature," just a "condition," we create our essence. Van Kaam strongly disagreed with this notion. The consonant (harmonious order) life requires one to be congenial with their givenness or nature.

Ep. 7: The Consonant Life

This episode unpacks Adrian van Kaam's invitation to a consonant life. All human beings feel a longing for wholeness, completeness, and integration. Van Kaam specifically, given his personalist grounding, looks at personal fulfillment as consonant and harmonious.

Ep. 6: Formation Field

In this episode we look at van Kaam's formation field construct. Field theory rose to prominence in physics during the early 19th century which then influenced psychology — specifically field theorists like Kurt Lewin and Donald & Snygg (made popular by Carl Rogers). van Kaam's field theory considers the formative inner and outer pole factors on our life as a whole.