The trauma of birth in modern and sufi psychology: The primal union and separation

The current study presents Otto Rank's theory of the trauma of birth and discusses its significance in human life. This work compares the views of modern and Sufi psychology with regards to birth trauma and the problems surrounding this trauma. Furthermore, this study offers new concepts and terminologies which have been translated for the first time from other languages into Turkish. In this respect, the actual work may be truly called the first in its kind in psychology as well as in psychology of religion. The research is also an original work in bringing together and comparing Rank's theory of trauma with Sufi psychology. This thesis raises various criticisms concerning the dualistic Western psychology that divides human being into parts and which ignores the spiritual needs of the human being. To tackle this problem, we have proposed a holistic regard as a replacement to the western dualistic approach. In this study, we have discussed the results of the primal union and separation from God and subsequent separation from the mother who are both associated with birth trauma. To explain this idea, the parallels between God and mother have been examined in detail. The thesis also discusses the uncanny feeling of "homelessness" caused by the trauma of birth, the desire, angst/anxiety and longing that is manifested in the form of a deep nostalgia resulting from what human being feels she has lost. Furthermore, the research addresses the problems of identity and belonging of the modern human who has been distanced and alienated from the nature and from God, and who is in constant anxiety and restlessness. In this regard, various explanations have been given on the true source/essence and self of human. In a nutshell, the current work discusses the birth of human being, her nature, her existence on earth and the consequent problems resulting from the existence of human being in this world and offers the necessary solutions for these important problems. Keywords: Sufi Psychology, Transpersonal Psychology, Otto Rank, The Trauma of Birth, The Primal Union and Separation, Homelessness, Angst/Anxiety, Longing