Question

What happens if a neurotic person, with a difficult youth practices Zazen intensively, not doing psychotherapy? Will his neurosis heal? Can he get to a deep understanding of zen, even staying neurotic? Thanks Peter

Answer from Master Keisen

Hello Peter, I certainly insist on the fact that zen cannot and should not be taken as a therapy. So a neurotic person should see a psychotherapist. If he does not, it is hard to predict the outcome of an intensive practice of zazen. It can reinforce his neurotic ideas if , during zazen, he entertains his own thoughts; that can go to the point where he will really blow a fuse. Frankly, I would not recommend from my experience that a neurotic person practice zazen intensively, but to stay in control of its state instead, understanding the effects from his experience, and not exceeding his capacity of keeping some control of himself. When the neurotic state is still there, but in control, I would think that there is nothing which should prevent any person from reaching a deeper understanding of zen. Both go together, as a deeper understanding of zen is actually a deeper understanding of oneself. If a neurotic person understands his neurotic state and succeeds in living with it, he understands himself. A deeper understanding of zen is principally that. Good luck, Keisen

Mondo On the same theme : Psycology

zazen or psychotherapy?

What happens if a neurotic person, with a difficult youth practices Zazen intensively, not doing psychotherapy? Will his neurosis heal? Can he get to a deep understanding of zen, even staying neurotic? Thanks Peter
...

Psychosomatic diseases.

I am a psychologist in dealing with patients with psychosomatic diseases. The research tells us that those who have difficulties in the access to the imaginary field and, for instance, the recalling of dreams, is one of the conditions to the emergence of that kind of symptoms and illnesses (allergies, auto-imunitary disfunctions, cancer, ..) But...


Reincarnation and Japan

To Whom It May Concern: I am acquainted with a man whom claims re-incarnational memories. He claims that he has experienced many incarnations, that one was of a Zen-monk from Southern Japan, at a monastery just outside of the Prefect of Osaka, and that he was a member of a select group that worked on a project for the Emperor of Japan; in that...


I do not know what to do with my existence.

Please Mr Kosen, I need assistance... I do not know if it is or it has been, all my life for these last years is a perpetual escape forward. I do not know what to do with my, existence, I set off on ways which will not take me anywhere, I get completely discouraged and that ends up feeding my bitterness, my melancholy, my despair and especially ...



To know more about mondo

You may want to see other themes of this mondo online, or ask your own question : see Mondo online : questions to zen Master Kosen Thibaut

Subscribe to our YouTube channel


Zen meditation : retreats

Next sesshin : from 08 May 2024 to 12 May 2024 - Information and registration to this zen retreat

Spring Camp 2024 : Zazen the méditation Zen, Caroux Temple near of Montpellier


In the vertical contact The three worlds become a single instant In the horizontal contact The directions exist facing our eyes

Keisan

Donate to the Sangha

Let's help the Kosen Sangha and the Yujo Nyusanji zen temple


Mondo

Questions to zen Master Kosen

Boddidharma, buddhist monk

Master Kosen

Follow his teachings in the Montpellier Zen dojo and in the great sesshins at Yujo Nyusanji zen temple


Kusens

Listen to and download last teachings (in french) of Master Kosen in Montpellier's dojo