#Zen meditation download

The goal of Zen Therapy (and Buddhism) is not to renounce or transcend our human life, such as by securing a particular condition in a promised afterlife.

In talking about ‘liberation’ and ‘radical transformation,’ it is also important to distinguish the principles of Zen Therapy from the notions of religious conversion or ascension. Rather, it is an approach or philosophy underlying treatment, grounding therapeutic change in Buddhist principles (Farias et al., 2021). Strictly speaking, Zen Therapy is not a treatment protocol with a closely followed sequence of steps or rules. Zen Therapy strives to clear away the conditioned psychological illusions that cause suffering and attachment in their entirety, as well as disconnection from our true selves, others, and the Earth (Farias, Brazier, & Lalljee, 2021). Zen Therapy practitioners may argue that conditions like depression and anxiety are mere symptoms of unease with deeper roots. These symbols are likely an appealing alternative to stress, anxiety, and depression that drive many to seek therapy and reflect much of what Zen Therapy offers clients. The image of the Buddha sitting in meditation signals tranquility, poise, and even a small smile. “psychotherapy that is informed by and incorporates the philosophy and practices of Zen Buddhism and that, like existentialism, is concerned with the unique meaning of the client’s life within the universal context, rather than with simple adjustment to or removal of symptoms.”Ī symbolic representation of the philosophy behind Zen Therapy can be seen in the popularized image of the Buddha Śākyamuni. These science-based exercises explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology, including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.Īccording to the American Psychological Association (n.d.), Zen Therapy is

#Zen meditation download

In this article, we’ll explore the emerging applications of Zen Buddhism as psychotherapy, highlighting its core messages and benefits for not only alleviating psychological suffering, but also steering us toward a life of fulfillment and positive transformation.īefore you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free. When prompted to find out why we have such improbable expectations, therapy guides us toward messages received in childhood.īut what if there were a practice that could help get to the bottom of suffering in all its forms? Better yet, what if this practice could point toward an internal and everlasting source of contentment from which we could draw, no matter our life situation or past experiences?

We may seek the support of a therapist to better cope with work stress, only to discover that our expectations of our work performance are unrealistic. During therapy, have you ever felt like one issue has been resolved, only to find another… and then another?