Psychological Maturity and Spiritual Maturity: A Reading of Dorotheus of Gaza

"e;It is not easy to describe the distinctive richness of a fully mature personality. There are as many ways of developing and growing as there are individuals, and in each case the final product is unique. But if we look for general criteria to distinguish a fully developed personality from another immature, there are three distinguishing features that are essential and universal [...] The extension of self, introspection and a unifying philosophy of life"e;. - This study puts into contact two apparently very different worlds: the 6th-century monastic milieu of Dorotheus and the research of the American psychologist G. Allport. The author first shows that the way Dorotheus indicates in his Conferences to instruct his monks and help them reach their human perfection in spiritual maturity can still serve as a model for those who want to reach psychological maturity. The final reflection suggests how growth in both human and spiritual maturity can constitute a very positive contribution in today's society.