Taoism and psychotherapy

An attempt is made in this paper to apply the principals of Taoism to the practice of psychotherapy. The Eastern approach to the nature of experience is described in order for the therapist to become more present for himself as well as for the patient. The relationship of insight to the process of change is explored, contrasting Eastern notions of transcendent liberation to the traditional psychoanalytic model of personal transformation, which has been viewed as curing the patient. Taoist precepts are described, comparing the Eastern view of the enlightened teacher to an ideal therapist. Finally, fifteen Zen tenets are described, as outlined by Holmes and Horioka, with an effort made to relate each tenet to the experience of being a therapist.