Abstract

The study was conceived as an exploratory effort with a rare pool of subjects as a means of shedding light on the interface between Buddhism and psychoanalytic psychology. The aim was to reveal how this select group of published practitioners reconcile the potential philosophical conflict between psychoanalytic psychology and Buddhism. The data was acquired by means of key informant methodology and presented in the form of eleven unique and distinct personal histories. Findings from these interviews were discussed theoretically in the context of clinical evidence from case studies. Eight relevant themes that emerged were grouped under three dimensions of spiritual practices, healing process, and unresolved areas of practice and theory. Perspectives on integration of Buddhism and psychoanalytic thought, psychosynthesis, healing, and implications for practice are included. Results indicated: clinical skills of active listening, free-association, empathic attunement, and intersubjectivity were enhanced through their spiritual practice, specifically meditation; the current relational model provides a milieu conducive to an integration of psychoanalytic psychology and Buddhism; the importance of long-term treatment is stressed; and an integrated approach perceives diagnosis as irrelevant