Contemporary Psychoanalysis and Eastern Thought: (SUNY series, Alternatives in Psychology)

This book explores the convergence of psychoanalysis and Asian thought. It explores key theoretical issues. What role does paradox play in psychological transformations? How can the oriental emphasis on attaining "no-self" be reconciled with the western emphasis on achieving an integrated self? The book also inquires into pragmatic questions concerning the nature of psychological change and the practice of psychotherapy. The Taoist I Ching is explored as a framework for understanding the therapeutic process. Principles from martial arts philosophy and strategy are applied to clinical work. Combining theoretical analyses, case studies, empirical data, literary references, and anecdotes, this book is intended for researchers as well as clinicians, and beginning students as well as scholars.

Table of Contents:
Preface 1. Chasing Two Rabbits? Comparing the Disciplines The Starting Points Some Obstacles Integrating and Pointing 2. East Meets West The History of East Meeting West A Progression of Selfobject Relationships Historical Themes Historical Themes of the Individual Self 3. Self and No-Self The Self/No-Self Controversy Facets of Selfhood The No-Self as Observing Self No-Self as Spontaneity and Unity The Developmental Path to No-Self Oscillations Between Self and No-Self Interpenetration of Self and No-Self Interpenetration of Self and Object 4. Paradox The Meanings of Paradox Entering the Paradox Paradoxes Within and Between Beyond Within and Between The Paradox of the Willing Self 5. Grasping Reality: Words, Images, Things The Representational Systems The Word Imaging and Un-Imaging the Self Enacting the Inner Meaning Grasping the Thing 6. Meditative Consciousness The Intrapsychic Mechanisms and Types of Meditation The Liabilities of Meditation The Therapeutics of Meditation The Clinician's Contemplative Experience Meditation in Life Context Epistemological Approaches 7. Students, Teachers, and Their Relationships Hidden Motives of the Student The Student's Strengths The Teacher: Quirks, Pathology, and Crazy Wisdom The Student-Teacher Relationship 8. The Therapist as Warrior Psychotherapy as Martial Art The Warrior Philosophy The Pursuit of Self-Awareness Aggression Basic Martial Concepts and Psychotherapy The Dynamics of Soft and Hard Techniques Participating in Transcendent Realms 9. Tai Chi Images: The Tao of Psychotherapy The Tai Chi System The Secrets of the Swimming Fish The Trigram Images and Attributes Trigram Structures and Relationships The Tao of Psychological Transformations 10. Vision Quest The Vision Quest Concept Wandering: Free Association and Destructuring Signs and Visions Individual and Union Vicissitudes of the Vision Quest Conclusion: The Future of An Allusion References Indexes

About the Author :
John R. Suler is Professor of Psychology at Rider College and is in private practice as well.

Review :
"Suler provides the most extensive treatment of correspondences between Western psychology and Eastern disciplines that I have yet seen, at the same time noting important differences and ways in which the two bodies of thought and practice can usefully complement each other." — Richard Coan, University of Arizona