Paradigms and parallels: A commentary on the transformation of the self East and West

Ways of gaining enhanced self understanding have developed in every culture. A modern way of referring to this understanding is insight, defined as the individual's understanding of associations between past and present, typical relationship patterns and their vicissitudes, emotional experiences, and psychological symptoms. This paper explores the similarities and differences among the approaches developed in Europe, the United States, and Asia. An example of evolving changes in psychoanalytic theory and practice in the United States, embodied in the body of work called "self psychology" is described as an illustration of how "western" approaches may be incorporating wisdom from "eastern" practice.