Insights for Happiness and Success Through Better Understanding
What do you think Sigmund Freud and Zen agree on?
There is an expression attributed to Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, in response to the inquiry: “What is necessary for a person to be happy? The famous response according to Erik Erikson was “to love and to work”.
If material wealth and security were enough for happiness, this would be a happier nation and the rate of suicide and addiction in the United States would not be where it is. Rather than material wealth and security, we as human beings need genuine purpose in order for our bright nature to break through the clouds that make our life less satisfying.
Using artificial intelligence for writing is something I do not believe I will ever do. Here is why:
I like my own expression, or “voice”. I have worked hard to know myself and to express the best, most helpful thoughts, insights, and feelings.
Why allow any other entity to interfere with that?
In Nonviolent Communication, empathy is the most important basis for good communication. In Zen a basic principle is impermanence, which indicates that there is no permanent self, leading to empathy. And effective psychotherapy is based on an authentic, empathic connection between the therapist and the client.
Our strong energy, our wonderful feelings of expansion and well-being in life, are often embedded in and hidden by what are felt as challenging or risky emotional situations.
The riches that we all have in us can get covered over. There is always positive energy going on even in the middle of a storm!
Do you want to feel freedom? Do you feel free? These are important questions, but it is also important to understand what the meaning is of the words “free” and “freedom.”
When our mind lets go of the typical demands we can experience true freedom and joy. Find out more about how to do that.
Zen and Buddhism have guidelines on ethics and behavior, in addition to mindfulness. On the other hand, in Tai Chi Chuan practice the focus is on mindfulness and movement.
How can we reconcile these differences in approach, and what are core similarities?
