Zen Therapy. Buddhist Psychotherapy in the Context of Western Psychotherapy

Overview

The article presents a psychotherapeutic view on Zen-buddhism and seeks echoes and equivalents of Zen-buddhistic ways of thinking in traditional western psychotherapeutic systems. It describes ‚Zen-therapy’, a psychotherapeutic approach, and discovers similarities and differences between this therapy and classical schools in the West, and describes general therapeutic processes in Zentherapy. A direct influence of Zen-buddhism on many western psychoterapists has been found. However, this article criticizes the formation of a new school of psychotherapy, with respect to further integrative trends in psychotherapy. In this aspect, a psychology, based on buddhist terms, may contribute to the range of therapist’s techniques. Moreover, the indications/contraindications of these techniques and approaches are discussed.

Key words:
psychotherapy, integrative psychotherapy, eclecticism, meditation, Zen-buddhism, Zentherapy.