Become essential

In times when there is little space and energy left for what lies deep within us, we need help to feel what is essential and to engage in a search for it. Spirituality is a significant aid on the path to essentiality. It is described as a connection to oneself, to the social environment, to creation and to God, the ultimate reality. All these affiliations open up a horizon of meaning. The Graz priest, religious educator and psychotherapist Albert Höfer recognised this as a source of help in life and founded the ‘Institute for Integrative Gestalt Pedagogy and Healing Pastoral Care’ together with others. Gestalt work manifests itself in courses on Christian-oriented personality development. The question, ‘What spiritual experiences/contents emerge and what effects are considered personally significant?’ is answered using categories derived from qualitative social research. The author draws on his many years of experience working with children and adults in educational, pastoral and therapeutic settings. His Gestalt-oriented approach opens doors and paths to a successful life.