T'ai chi chaun and gestalt therapy

Abstract

R ecent collections of writings on Gestalt therapy (19, 21) have included the • integration of Gestalt therapy methods with those of various Eastern meditative disciplines. The similarities in philosophy between the Gestalt approach and Zen Buddhism (8, 11, 20), Vipassana meditation (17), and Taoism (5) have been examined to some extent, but not necessarily in depth. Although Esalen Institute has pioneered in offering workshops combining Gestalt and T'ai Chi, there has thus far been no presentation in the psychological literature regarding the similaritites in philosophy and potential integration of methods between these two growth appraches. The purpose of this paper is to share how T'ai Chi may be used as an adjunct to psychotherapy, in general, and Gestalt therapy, in particular. This is not meant to be a comprehensive examination of T'ai Chi but an introductory statement as to its existence. For more in-depth background the reader should see Cheng and Smith (3) and Maisel (9). Because one must learn the sequence of T'ai Chi tbrms betore personally utilizing it as an adjunct to psychotherapy, the intent of this paper is more simply to (1) broaden the reader's knowledge base in terms of an effective adjunct to Gestalt therapy, and (2) stimulate sufficient interest in this procedure to motivate the reader to further study ofT 'a t Chi. For more detailed theoretical material regarding Gestalt therapy the reader may refer to Fagen and Shepherd (4); Perls (14); Polsler and Polster (1S); Simkin (18); Smith (19); and Stevens (21).