Summary:
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.
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