Between wonder and doubt: psychoanalysis in the goal-free zone

Area of Science:

• Psychotherapy
• Psychoanalysis
• Comparative Religion

Background:

• The paper examines the experiential dimensions of wonder and doubt.
• It articulates the creative tensions between medical/scientific and spiritual/mystical models.
• These experiences are presented as necessary elements in psychotherapy integrating psychoanalysis and spiritual praxes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the fundamental differences between medical/scientific and spiritual/mystical models.
• To illustrate these differences using the notion of 'the gap'.
• To explore parallels between Zen Buddhist 'Satori' and Wilfred Bion's 'O'.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of medical/scientific and spiritual/mystical models.
• Exploration of the movement between Buddhism and psychoanalysis.
• Examination of clinical experience related to Buddhist notions and psychoanalytic concepts.

Main Results:

• Wonder and doubt are identified as crucial for growth-promoting tensions between different therapeutic models.
• Parallels are drawn between Zen Buddhist 'Satori' and Bion's 'O'.
• Clinical relevance of Buddhist notions like 'gaining idea' and 'basic goodness' is explored.

Conclusions:

• Integrating psychoanalysis and spiritual praxes in psychotherapy requires balancing medical/scientific and spiritual/mystical perspectives.
• The concepts of wonder and doubt are vital for navigating the 'gap' between these models.
• Clinical practice can be enriched by understanding the interplay between acceptance, change, knowing, and not knowing.