Transactional Analysis, Intuition, and Mindfulness: How We Can Learn to Think Martian

Abstract

The authors reflect on the essence of cure and consider the relational caring and curing competencies at the core of the healing process. They focus on the practitioner rather than on the client and illustrate a group supervision in which a mindfulness exercise brings about a significant change of perspective and positions in the practitioners. The authors identify fruitful connections between Buddhist psychology and early transactional analysis in which Eric Berne stressed the importance of the therapist’s intuition and mental presence. The question for the “Martian” is how to say hello rightly. The authors consider if and how a mindful attitude might offer a possible answer. They then describe a mindfulness retreat as an opportunity to cultivate mental presence, stay with uncertainty, and develop compassion and self-care because they consider these capacities most relevant for fostering cure. Critical issues around mindfulness and psychotherapy are discussed.