METANOIA
From the
Greek – to perceive, to think, the result of perceiving or observing – metanoia
means “a change of mind.”
In
Theology, metanoia is used to refer to the change of
mind which is brought about in repentance.
mind which is brought about in repentance.
The prefix
“meta-” carries with it other variants that are
consistent with the Eastern Greek philosophical mindset,
“Meta-” is additionally used to imply “beyond” and “outside of.”
E.g., metamorphosis as a beyond-change; and, metaphysics as
outside the limits of physics.
consistent with the Eastern Greek philosophical mindset,
“Meta-” is additionally used to imply “beyond” and “outside of.”
E.g., metamorphosis as a beyond-change; and, metaphysics as
outside the limits of physics.
The Greek
term for repentance, metanoia, denotes a change of mind, a reorientation, a fundamental transformation of outlook, of an individual’s
vision of the world and of her/himself, and a new way of loving others and the Universe. In
the words of a second-century text, The Shepherd of Hermas, it implies “great understanding,”
discernment.
In Carl
Jung’s psychology, metanoia indicates a spontaneous attempt of the psyche to
heal itself of
unbearable conflict by melting down and then being reborn in a more adaptive form.
unbearable conflict by melting down and then being reborn in a more adaptive form.