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”.
The world is struggling to find peace and meaning. That has been going on since humanity appeared, and maybe even before that. Our natural mind is compassionate and wise, so go through each day aware that even the most confused and hurtful person is trying to make life better, and trying to make a difference in the world.
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.
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?
What if we understand that a mind cleared of internal conflict is automatically present, and that presence is our natural state (but not so easy to attain)?
Our brain’s language is frictionless and spacious energy, experienced as connection with others and with ourselves.
Imagine you are in a crowded movie theater. Suddenly, smoke starts to appear and spread throughout the theater. There are screams, and people jumping up and piling into a crowd…
What causes some people to be helpers and leaders in such a situation, instead of panicking? How do we develop a mind that supports helpful detachment?
