Sense and non-sense: Phenomenology, Buddhist and psychoanalytic

Authors
Citation
Pc. Cooper, Sense and non-sense: Phenomenology, Buddhist and psychoanalytic, J RELIG H, 37(4), 1998, pp. 357-369
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Public Health & Health Care Science","Religion & Tehology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF RELIGION & HEALTH
ISSN journal
00224197 → ACNP
Volume
37
Issue
4
Year of publication
1998
Pages
357 - 369
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-4197(199824)37:4<357:SANPBA>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
The author uses and extends Wilfred Bion's concepts of "invariance" and "tr ansformation" to discuss the integration of Buddhism and psychoanalysis. Ob servable descriptive similarities between Buddhism and psychoanalysis, acco rding to the author, function as artifacts that can overlay and obscure the primary subjective and experiential nature that the two disciplines have i n common. The author discusses the nonpathological nature of unitive experi ences and argues that over-emphasis on technical similarities can function as a resistance to deepening unitive experiences with patients. The terms " sense," "non-sense," and "no-sense" function as neutral words with which to discuss basic ineffable and unknowable experiences that both systems can a ccess. The author comments on the concepts of faith and spirit in relation to both disciplines. The integration of Buddhism and psychoanalysis, for in dividuals who practice both disciplines, according to the author, is primar ily an internal process. An unrelenting search for lived truths forms the b asis of this process.