Awakening the Heart: East/West Approaches to Psychotherapy and the Healing Relationship

by John Welwood

Can a meditative practice assist and promote the healing relationship between psychotherapist and patient? The notable contributors to this practical book draw on a wide range of Eastern and Western disciplines—psychoanalysis, Gestalt, Aikido, and various Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist contemplative traditions—to show that it can. What they propose is a meeting between the Western psychotherapeutic approach—grounded in working with the personal problems and the need to carve out a strong awareness of self—and Eastern tradition, which emphasizes a larger kind of awareness and equanimity as a continuously available source of clarity and health for those who know how to find it. They show that joining psychotherapy with meditation can mutually awaken the hearts of both therapist and client, sparking them both to open more fully.

Jacob Needleman, Erich Fromm, Robin Skynner, Ram Dass, Karl Sperber, Roger Walsh, Chögyam Trungpa, and Thomas Hora are among the contributors.

Genres: Psychology, Spirituality, Buddhism, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

John Welwood (1943-2019) was an American clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, teacher, and author, known for integrating psychological and spiritual concepts. Trained in existential psychology, Welwood earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Chicago in 1974. He was the Director of the East/West Psychology Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and associate editor of Journal of Transpersonal Psychology.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich, sensational compilation. Nearing 30 years old, I think this book is a testament to what is at the heart of therapeutic encounters - the simplicity of two people meeting, and the power of the therapist's presence.

It covers many facets and topics to do with the meeting of spirituality, contemplative practice, and therapy. The writing is beautiful and personable. And each chapter is direct and goes straight to the heart of what is being spoken about - it is both broad and deep in this respect. I'm left feeling after each chapter, like nothing more needs to be said; it's just enough.

Despite being published in 1983, the opening chapters look at the similarities and differences of psychotherapy and spirituality remain relevant. As arguably each individual working in the therapeutic field and each person (perhaps contained to those in cultures where 'psychotherapy' is rampant) striving to end their own suffering coming up against the question of where the work of therapy meets spiritual transformation. Does one need a spiritual guide or therapist? Does one need to build and strengthen the self or transcend it? The authors certainly don't provide the answer to these for any individual but do nicely in delineating the different paths that each may lead, and collide.

The middle section looks at working with spiritual practices and therapeutic goals. Seasoned practitioners in both respects share their own personal journeys into the confusion and conundrums of their suffering and spiritual life. Always nice to read of others (sane) stumbling through experience. And the last section gets into the therapeutic side of these encounters, and some of the skills, attitudes, practices and approaches needed to engage clients and accompany them on their path into suffering/to healing.

There is so much in this book - I will definitely return time and time again to grab a wise word or two, to both recenter and ground, and as encouragement to keep stepping into experience, namely suffering.

[Steve Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of papers by some outstanding Buddhist practitioners and scholars about the potential of Buddhist thought and practice in the mental health helping professions. It points up the limitations of standard western psychology, which has essentially failed to deal with the mental health crisis of our times. The experience of most who find themselves in the hands of these professionals is at best peripheral, and at worst destructive, locking people into the unending cycle of suffering that is so typical of western mental health. It's an excellent introduction for anyone in the profession that will certainly challenge the perceived wisdom that governs most of them. I my own case it has been Buddhist practice and psychology that has enabled some modicum of recovery from some very severe maladaptive behavior derived from and abused childhood and combat related ptsd. The best that we, any of us can hope for is that this approach will eclipse the standard psychiatric practice that is now the millstone around the necks of so many.

[Jaycee Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays describing the healing possible when in a contemplative therapeutic relationship. Whether it be with a therapist, coach, spiritual leader or partner, this book helps us relate at a heart level through anger, joy, confusion etc.. I really enjoyed this collection and I look forward to a new edition (or something similar) where wisdom is coming from a diverse set of voices.

*read for masters in Transpersonal Psychology

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So rich in insight. Really helped me look at psychotherapy in a different way. Highly recommended.

[hika ୨୧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

felt a little repetitive in some portions but overall i thought this book was so interesting 🙇🏾‍♀️

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique book. I shared a hot tub with John and his wife at omega institute when I was 24 and studying Shambala training level 1 path of the spiritual warrior. He was a nice man