FromChapter 8: Inner Space and Spatial Extension Innerspace is, of course, not the usual physical space, and is not tied only to bodyimages. It is affected by self-boundaries that are more emotional andpsychological in nature, as illustrated in Larry's case in the previouschapter. There is a correspondence on the ontological level to the relationbetween the self-image and the body-image. In other words, just as self-imageincludes body-image in object relations theory, so in the experience of space,inner psychological space includes the notion of space as spatial extension.Inner space is not restricted to spatial extension, just as self-image is notrestricted to body-image, which is analogous to spatial extension. Herewe can appreciate how the findings of object relations theory regarding therelationship between self-image and body-image help us to understand moreclearly the concept of inner space, and to extend our insight into the natureof the mind as space. This inner space is bigger, more open, more encompassingthan the notion of space as spatial extension. Focusing on the dissolution ofthe boundaries of the body-image, which are mental analogues of physicalboundaries, tends to prejudice us towards seeing space as spatial extension.But dissolving these boundaries, which are mental in nature, helps us open theexperience of space to other dimensions that are more psychological. We seethat spatial openness is only one dimension in inner space. Wewill show later that by deepening our understanding of inner space, and byfinding in it more dimensions of openness, we will be able to expand ourknowledge of object relations and gain more insight into the psychic structure.In particular, we will be able to explore on a more fundamental level thenature of identity, of the self, and its relation to self-image. We will beable to extend the findings of object relations theory to an understanding ofthe ontological nature of the ego, a question that has not yet been approachedin traditional psychoanalysis. Thisnotion of space as openness in more dimensions than the spatial will help us toconstruct a theory about inner space and self-image. First, however, we mustsay more about this new notion of space. As the experience of space repeats,deepens, and expands in the gradual process of dissolving self-boundaries, theindividual becomes aware of more subtle kinds of boundaries. He becomes awareof and can dissolve boundaries regarding the depth and extent of his feelings,the kinds and types of feelings and sensations he can have, the extent of hisawareness of both mind and body, and the categories of possible experiences ofhimself and the world. Spacebrings about expansion in the qualities of our senses, our sensations, and ourmental capacities. It deepens our intuition. It expands our awareness into newdimensions of ourselves, some we would never have conceived could exist. Itbrings new capacities for perception and experience. In addition, space has thesurprising and powerful capacity of expanding itself, continuously increasingthe openness and dissolution of boundaries, allowing ever-greater understandingof ourselves and our minds.