Into the Mountain Stream represents a natural development in the conversation between Buddhism and psychoanalysis. This fluid, evolving, multi-textured conversation encompasses theory, philosophy, technique and the personal experiences of those involved as patients, as clinicians and as Buddhist practitioners. This edition, which formalizes and furthers this living conversation between Buddhism and psychoanalysis, in the form and style proposed, is not presently available. Clinical material expands and enriches the present rapidly growing theoretical and technical literature. In this sense, this collection bridges the gap between discourse that has impact and language that is informational. Some of the many questions that we examine include: -How does psychotherapy deepen the practitioner's Buddhist involvements? -How do both practices interact to enrich an individual's life? -What is the efficacy of a Buddhist informed psychotherapy? -What are the global and societal ramifications of the expanded vision that might derive

Although psychoanalysis and Zen Buddhism derive from theoretical and philosophical assumptions worlds apart, both experientially-based traditions share at their heart a desire for the understanding, development, and growth of the human experience. Paul Cooper utilizes detailed clinical vignettes to contextualize the implications of Zen Buddhism in the therapeutic setting to demonstrate how its practices and beliefs inform, relate to, and enhance transformative psychoanalytic practice.

The basic concepts of Zen, such as the identity of the relative and the absolute and the foundational principles of emptiness and dependent-arising, are given special attention as they relate to the psychoanalytic concepts of the unconscious and its processes, transference and countertransference, formulations of self, and more. In addition, through an analysis of apophasis, a unique style of discourse that serves as a basic structure for mystical languages, he provides insight into the structure of the seemingly irrational Zen koan in order to demonstrate its function as a pedagogical and psychological tool.

Though mindful of their differences, Cooper s intent throughout is to illustrate how the practices of both Zen and psychoanalysis become internalized by the individual who engages in them and can, in turn, inform one another in mutually beneficial ways in an effort to comprehend the ramifications of an individual or collective expanding vision.

Into the Mountain Stream represents a natural development in the conversation between Buddhism and psychoanalysis. This fluid, evolving, multi-textured conversation encompasses theory, philosophy, technique and the personal experiences of those involved as patients, as clinicians and as Buddhist practitioners. This edition, which formalizes and furthers this living conversation between Buddhism and psychoanalysis, in the form and style proposed, is not presently available. Clinical material expands and enriches the present rapidly growing theoretical and technical literature. In this sense, this collection bridges the gap between discourse that has impact and language that is informational. Some of the many questions that we examine include: -How does psychotherapy deepen the practitioner's Buddhist involvements? -How do both practices interact to enrich an individual's life? -What is the efficacy of a Buddhist informed psychotherapy? -What are the global and societal ramifications of the expanded vision that might derive from the mutual efficacy of both Buddhism and psychoanalysis? The contributors address the issues under discussion cogently, compellingly and succinctly through first-hand accounts both in psychotherapy and in Buddhist practice. We address the question of how Buddhist beliefs and practices become integrated into one's therapeutic stance. For example, what are the fundamental Buddhist principles of emptiness and dependent-arising and how does an understanding of these foundational cornerstones of Buddhist philosophy and experience influence clinical work? How do the basic psychoanalytic notions of transference and countertransference, when applied clinically, facilitate deepened involvement with Buddhist practice?

The integration of religion into psychotherapy finds expression in the therapist's stance and response to those who seek help. The editors have gathered papers that demonstrate through extensive autobiographical material the relationship between personal religious experience and clinical work. The contributing authors, without exception, confront psychoanalytic theory and religious teachings in highly personal ways.