Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Current psychoanalytic thinking emphasizes understanding the development of self in the infant and in therapy, while Eastern religions investigate the phenomenology of the self-especially its representational, spatial, and temporal composition. Western therapies examine developmental roots of self-disorders, while Eastern thinking regards even normal self-development as pathological, and claims that the self must be transcended. In this article, representative Eastern and Western concepts of self are investigated, as well as the current debate between transpersonal and existential psychologists concerning psychological evolution and the ultimate goals of therapy. A synthesis of these viewpoints is offered, and a phenomenological therapy is presented, based on object relations theory, existential/humanist therapy, and Buddhist meditation techniques.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Abe, Masao . (1985). Zen and western thought. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.

Balsekar, R. (1982). Pointers from Nisargadatta Maharaj. Bombay: Chetana.

Chang , Garma C. C. (1971). The Buddhist teaching of totality. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press.

Davis, M. , & Wallbridge, D. (1981). Boundary and space. NewYork: Brunner/ Mazel.

Engler, J. (1981). Vicissitudes of the self according to psychoanalysis and Buddhism: A spectrum model of object relations development. Psycho-analysis and Contemporary Thought, 6(1): 29-72.

Engler, J. & Wilber, K. (1986). Transformations of consciousness. Boston: Shambhala.

Fairbairn, W. R. D. (1952). Psychoanalytic studies of the personality. London: Tavistock.

Freud, A. (1936). The ego and mechanisms of defense. New York: International University Press.

Gedo, J. , & Goldberg, A. (1973). Models of the mind: a psychoanalytic theory. Chicago: Chicago University Press.

10.

Guntrip, H. (1968). Schizoid phenomona, object relations and the self. New York: International Universities Press.

11.

Guntrip, H. (1971). Psychoanalytic theory, therapy and the self. New York: Basic Books.

12.

Jacobson, E. (1971). Depression. New York: International Universities Press.

13.

Kegan, R. (1982). The evolving self. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

14.

Kernberg, O. (1984). Severe personality disorders. New Haven: Yale University Press.

15.

Klein, M. (1975). Envy and gratitude. New York: Dell.

16.

Kohut, H. (1977). The restoration of the self. New York: International Universities Press.

17.

Krishnamurti, J. (1973). The awakening of intelligence. New York: Avon.

18.

Mahler, Margaret S. (1975). The psychological birth of the infant. New York: Basic Books.

19.

May, Rollo , (1981). Freedom and destiny. New York: Norton.

20.

May, Rollo . (1987). Answers to Ken Wilber and John Rowan. [A letter to The Monitor]. California State Psychological Association.

21.

Muzika, E. (1986). The enlightenment maneuver: Psychology and psychopathology of religion. Doctoral dissertation, Sierra University, Santa Monica, California.

22.

Muzika, E. (1987). Exploring the inner world: Therapeutic introspection and the healing self. Los Angeles: Author.

23.

Muzika, E. (1988). The monk from Thunder Mountain. Los Angeles: Author.

24.

Sasaki, J. (1973). Buddha is the center ofgravity. Boulder: Bountiful Lord.

25.

Seung Sahn, S. (1976). Dropping ashes on the Buddha. New York: Grove Press.

26.

Schneider, Kirk . (1987). The deified self. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 27(2).

27.

Wilber, K. (1979). The spectrum of consciousness. Wheaton: Theospohical Publishing House.

28.

Wilber, K. (1983). Eye to eye. New York: Doubleday/Anchor.

29.

Winnicott, D. W. (1971). Playing and reality. London: Tavistock.

30.

Wortz, E. (1982). Applications of Awareness Methods in Psychotherapy. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 14(1): 61-68.

Evolution,Emptiness and the Fantasy Self

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References