Individuation's journey of self-transformation
Exploring identity, awakening, and purpose
One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.
—C.G. Jung, Alchemical Studies
The exploration of identity is one of the most profound human experiences, often intertwined with spiritual, philosophical, and psychological transformations.
Throughout history, individuals have undergone powerful awakenings that shape not only their personal journeys but also their relationships with society, their beliefs, and their inner selves.
This article will examine such transformations, focusing on the lives of Malcolm Little (Malcolm X), Edith Stein, and John Henry Newman, and using the frameworks provided by William James, Rumi, Socrates, and Carl Jung.
Together, these figures illustrate how religious conversion, intellectual self-examination, and psychological integration lead to deeper understandings of identity and purpose.
William James and the Psychology of Religious Conversion
In his influential work The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902), philosopher and psychologist William James described religious conversion as a profound transformation where an individual moves from a divided, conflicted self to a more unified, harmonious one.
He explained that religious conversion often brings peace, purpose, and a new sense of connection to something greater than oneself.
James’ analysis offers a way to understand the life-changing spiritual conversions of individuals like Malcolm X, Edith Stein, and John Henry Newman.
He emphasized that conversion is usually accompanied by intense emotional experiences and a radical reorientation of a person’s worldview, values, and behavior.
Malcolm Little: From Prison to Malcolm X
One of the most striking examples of personal transformation is the story of Malcolm Little, later known as Malcolm X1.
Born into systemic racism, Malcolm’s early years were marked by crime and imprisonment.
However, during his time in prison, he experienced a spiritual awakening that led him to embrace the teachings of the Nation of Islam.
His conversion was not just religious; it was also a psychological and political transformation.
Malcolm X developed a new identity rooted in pride, discipline, and the fight for Black empowerment.
This transformation aligns with James’ concept of religious conversion as a move from a “divided” to a “unified” self.
Malcolm X went from being a man adrift to a leader with clarity of purpose.
His new identity as a Muslim leader and Black nationalist wasn’t just about personal faith; it was deeply connected to his social identity and the larger political movement he became part of.
Edith Stein: From Atheism to Catholicism
Edith Stein’s conversion offers another powerful example of transformation through faith and intellectual inquiry.
A brilliant philosopher and student of Edmund Husserl, Stein was an atheist for much of her early life.
However, after reading the Autobiography of St. Teresa of Ávila, she underwent a sudden and profound conversion to Catholicism.
This shift wasn’t just spiritual; it was also deeply philosophical.
Stein integrated her understanding of phenomenology with her newfound faith, eventually becoming a Carmelite nun2.
Her journey illustrates the fusion of philosophical and spiritual exploration.
William James would likely interpret her conversion as a reorientation of her inner self, where she found a new harmony between reason and faith.
Like Malcolm X, Stein’s transformation was about more than just adopting new beliefs—it was about finding coherence and depth in her identity.
John Henry Newman: From Anglicanism to Catholicism
John Henry Newman, an Anglican priest and theologian, underwent a gradual intellectual and spiritual transformation that culminated in his conversion to Catholicism in 1845.
Newman’s conversion was unique in that it wasn’t driven by a single emotional experience but by years of intellectual and theological exploration.
His famous work, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, details his inner struggles, doubts, and eventual reconciliation with Catholic doctrine.
Newman’s conversion reflects James’ idea of religious transformation as a search for unity and coherence within the self.
His decision to join the Catholic Church was not just a spiritual shift but an intellectual journey toward truth, where he sought to align his beliefs with his deeper understanding of faith.
Group Dynamics and Social Identity in Conversion
Religious conversions aren’t just personal psychological events—they often involve significant changes in group dynamics and social identity.
For example, when Malcolm X converted to the Nation of Islam, he joined a powerful community that influenced his worldview, political beliefs, and sense of belonging.
Similarly, John Henry Newman’s conversion placed him within a new religious community, altering his social relationships and identity.
Social Identity Theory, proposed by psychologist Henri Tajfel, explains how group affiliations shape personal identity.
When individuals undergo a religious or ideological conversion, they often align themselves with new communities, adopting their norms, values, and beliefs.
This shift can be empowering but also challenging, as it may create tension with their previous identities and affiliations.
The Exploration of Identity
The exploration of identity can take many forms, from spiritual awakening to philosophical inquiry and psychological integration.
While religious conversion, as seen in the lives of Malcolm X, Edith Stein, and John Henry Newman, represents one way of discovering deeper truths, there are broader ways to understand identity through the works of Rumi, Socrates, and Carl Jung.
Rumi: The Spiritual Journey of Inner Awakening
Rumi, the 13th-century Persian mystic and poet, saw the spiritual journey as a process of inner awakening.
His poetry emphasizes that true spiritual conversion is a return to the heart’s essence, a shedding of false identities and attachments in order to connect with the Divine3.
Rumi teaches that our truest self is not the one defined by societal roles or ego-driven desires, but the one that is deeply connected to the divine presence within.
His teachings align with William James’ notion that religious conversion brings unity and harmony to the self.
For Rumi, spiritual awakening is about dissolving the boundaries between the self and the divine, discovering that true identity lies in the union with something greater.
Socrates: The Unexamined Life and Philosophical Conversion
Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, explored identity through rigorous self-examination.
He famously declared that “the unexamined life is not worth living,” urging people to continuously question their beliefs, values, and actions4.
Socratic questioning is akin to a form of philosophical conversion, where individuals undergo intellectual transformation by challenging their assumptions and seeking deeper truths.
Much like a spiritual seeker, Socrates believed that understanding identity requires a relentless pursuit of truth.
His method of inquiry parallels the internal questioning that many undergo during religious or personal transformations, emphasizing the need for constant self-awareness and intellectual honesty.
Carl Jung: The Psychological Exploration of Identity
Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist, approached identity through the lens of psychology, particularly through his concept of individuation5.
For Jung, spiritual and personal transformation is a process of integrating unconscious aspects of the self into conscious awareness.
This journey toward psychological wholeness mirrors the spiritual paths of Rumi and the intellectual self-examination of Socrates.
Jung believed that religious and mystical experiences often play a role in helping individuals access deeper layers of the psyche, ultimately leading to a more complete and integrated sense of self.
His approach to identity is not just about the conscious mind’s search for meaning but about reconciling the inner conflicts between different parts of the psyche.
The Power of Inner Transformation
Religious, spiritual, and personal conversions represent profound moments of transformation, where individuals reorient their sense of self, purpose, and belonging.
The lives of Malcolm X, Edith Stein, and John Henry Newman offer powerful examples of how identity can be reshaped through spiritual and intellectual awakening.
William James’ insights into religious conversion help us understand these experiences as radical reconfigurations of the self.
At the intersection of spiritual, philosophical, and psychological inquiry, figures like Rumi, Socrates, and Carl Jung remind us that the search for identity is a multifaceted journey.
Whether through spiritual union, intellectual questioning, or psychological integration, true transformation leads to a more authentic and unified self.
As we reflect on these stories, I’m reminded that transformation isn’t just about adopting new beliefs or ideas—it’s about coming home to a deeper, more integrated version of myself.
So, what are your thoughts on spiritual or personal transformation?
Books on Malcolm Little, aka, Malcolm X:
Alex Haley, The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Manning Marable, Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention
See Waltraut Stein’s translation, The Collected Works of Edith Stein, Volume Three - On the Problem of Empathy
Here are some of Rumi’s works:
Coleman Barks, with John Moyne, The Essential Rumi
Coleman Barks, Rumi: The Book of Love
Brad Gooch, Rumi’s Secret: The Life of the Sufi Poet of Love
A.J. Arberry (trans.), Mystical Poems of Rumi
Annemarie Schimmel, Rumi’s World: The Life and Work of the Great Sufi Poet
The dictum is recorded in Plato's Apology (38a5–6) as ho dè anexétastos bíos ou biōtòs anthrṓpōi (ὁ δὲ ἀνεξέταστος βίος οὐ βιωτὸς ἀνθρώπῳ).
For more understanding of the individuation process, see:
C.G. Jung, Two Essays in Analytical Psychology, p. 158, 214, 238-40, 267, 306, 308, 328, 374, 385, 398
C.G. Jung, Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self, p. 39, 45, 64, 153, 167-69, 190, 220n, 264
C.G. Jung, Psychological Types (Routledge Classics), p. 95n, 96n, 405, 411-13
Thoughts are on this in particular, "Whether through spiritual union, intellectual questioning, or psychological integration, true transformation leads to a more authentic and unified self."
It seems as though each person discussed an aspect but all can be seen as a process.
1. Intellectual questioning
2. Psychological integration
3. Spiritual union
4. Transformation
5. Expression of authentic self
All can be interchanged and realized throughout a spiritual journey though.
Although I've always believed in a higher power, I've only been really spiritual for about 3 years now. I began engaging in spiritual practices when I was going through very rough times... It's funny how that usually seems to happen when one is experiencing crises.