Zen and Depression/Anxiety

I have been using Zen Meditation for persons with Major Depression and Anxiety Related Disorders for more than 20 years, and have found it to be exceptionally beneficial for these disorders. In several studies (one with Type-A's and the other with pts with MS - in preparation for submission), I have also found that it reduces depression and anxiety in patients better than other therapeutic modalities.

As in all psychotherapy, the symptoms must become more pronounced in order for patients to recognize them, gain control over them, and select better alternatives. And as in other modalities, one first helps develop a positive resource (self-comforting, interpersonal trust, etc.) prior to exploring difficult areas, and to which one can return subsequent to these areas. Similarly, Zen Meditation's emphasis on complete absorption into the sensations at hand, allow repressed thoughts/feelings/actions to surface and be recognized, but also allow an alternative to reacting unconsciously and automatically. Instead, one becomes able to notice them, let them go, and return to becoming absorbed in the sensations at hand (rather than those one creates). This absoption entails an integration of cognitive/affective/physiological/behavioral components, so that the old habit responses become increasingly less attrctive.

Meditation, at least Zen Meditation, is in no way synonomous with Stress Reduction. The point is not to "relax" but rather to become unified. And true unification means having no excessive activity. But meditation goes well beyond simple parasympathetic recuperation. (Please see the earlier posting on the differences between relaxation, meditation, and hypnosis/imagery).

Replies:

Zen and Psychotherapy, by Dino Di Donato, 8/1/98

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