Adventures In Soulmaking By Troy Caldwell, M.D.

Adventures in Soulmaking by Troy Caldwell, M.D.

Adventures in Soulmaking by Troy Caldwell, M.D. is a book which shares stories and principles of spiritual formation and depth psychology. The book if divided into two parts. Part One describes “The Kingdom Within,” and Part Two investigates “Keys to the Open Heart.”

The first part of Adventures in Soulmaking is titled Discovering the Kingdom Within. With storytelling and methodical instruction, a coherent model of the soul is developed and diagrammed. The spiritual journey and its stages of Purgative, Illuminative and Unitive are then linked to the model. By the end of this section, the reader has a firm foundation for understanding the practices suggested in the second part.

The second part, titled Keys to the Open Heart, explores numerous important practices such as recollection, scripture meditation, lectio divina, and more. The book culminates in a number of mind-expanding stories of Jesus as he reveals himself in the lives of individuals and in archetypal literature. The theology of the book is orthodox with an evangelical flavor that will be appeal to both groups. Mental health professionals, spiritual directors, and pastors will also be interested audiences.

Caldwell shares a variety of insights in this book. He shares that the soul has three parts (7-8). He describes the spiritual path metaphor in Christianity (21).

The three ways of the spiritual path include (22):

Purgative Way
Illuminative Way
Unitive Way

There are four styles of ego-centrism: the star, the clinging vine, the turtle and the Nero (28). Caldwell also defines tools for surrendering egocentrism: meaning suffering, breakthrough of the transcendent, caring for someone other than yourself, and hard work (29). He continues in the discussion of what he calls theosis. He defines theosis as the fact that we cannot comprehend God through His essence, but we know God (Who is Love) through His divine energies. This helps us to “partake in the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:3-4) (44).

Caldwell states that the soul speaks through the body (47) and dreams (48). He makes a distinction between how Freud and Jung described the soul. Sigmund Freud divides the soul into the ego and the unconscious (50). Carl Jung broke from Freud and discovered a “missing region” (51-52) which engage in symbols of transcendence.

Caldwell insists that there are different areas of the mind. In Christian meditation, contemplation and prayer take place in a separate location than the rational section of the mind (73-74). Spiritual discernment is a form of perception that works within the mind (the mind’s eye.) (74). He shares from Romans 7 the contrast between the body and the mind (75). While I was impressed that Caldwell had a biblical rationale for his ideas, he also relied on exta-Biblical, non-canonical works like The Gospel of Mary Magdalene (76) in his research.

Caldwell states that Jesus was teaching His disciples how to activate the symbolic mind (Nous) (John 4:23-24). He compares the Beatitudes to the Erickson Diagram of Growth and Development (128-129). He shares an Animus interpretation of the Song of Solomon as the intensity of love for God in the soul (143). Finally, Caldwell spends time sharing about the impact of grief and the soul. He states that grief is a form of training in life. People go through three broad stages: protest, disorganization, and re-organization (163).

Caldwell shifts from principles to techniques in Part Two (“Keys to the Open Heart) (179). He encourages such practices as:

Lectio Divina (201-202)

Journaling (206)

Drawing (209)

Caldwell gives musical suggestions to use during times of prayer (209-211). He insists on creating and maintaining balance in life (224-227). Caldwell shares a helpful Scriptural “tool chest” to use for spiritual discernment (239-240):

Test the fruit (Galatians 5:1-25)
Seek wisdom from above (James 3:13-17)
Follow the leading of agape (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Ask the source to say “Jesus be cursed” and “Jesus is Lord.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)
Ask the source if Jesus has come in the flesh (1 John 4:2)

Caldwell concludes that Jesus in the heart of man is the Archetype of Archetypes (245). He illustrates how Jesus is the archetype used for every archetype. Caldwell has a useful appendix which lists various methods to show how one can go about interpreting your own dreams (277).

Caldwell uses a mixture of mysticism, Catholicism, as well as psychology to inform his work. This syncretic approach is to be expected from a medical doctor. Caldwell shares various experiences as well as methods to help a person in spiritual formation. This holistic approach may offend theological and Biblical purists. At the same time, Caldwell shares many methods that would help someone who is struggling in their spiritual life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.