Untangling Long-Term Enmeshed Suffering Emotions: A Study of Lurianic Kabbalah and Gestalt Therapy

Abstract

This paper explores the interplay between Jewish Lurianic Kabbalah and Gestalt Therapy, focusing on enmeshment of emotions of the client. The paper proposes a method to unmesh enmeshed emotions using principles of Lurianic Kabbalah applied to Gestalt Therapy. The study delves into the history and concepts of Lurianic Kabbalah, emphasising the significance of its key elements: tzimtzum (God's self-limitation), shevirah (breaking of vessels), and tikkun (mending of flaws), highlighting the roots of Gestalt Therapy in Jewish thinkers and its compatibility with mythic and mystical traditions. Through a proposed therapeutic model, the paper illustrates the application of Lurianic Kabbalah in Gestalt Therapy sessions. The model comprises five stages of withdrawal, destruction, repair, gratitude, and celebration. By applying Kabbalah's transformative principles mirroring creation, destruction, and repair, clients gained fresh perspectives and identities. A quantitative study involving 49 non-clinical participants was conducted to study four variables, depression, anxiety, stress, and hopelessness, using DASS-21 and BHS. Results from pre-and-post testing, by employing Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test at p value of <0.01, revealed significant emotional state reductions of all variables with 0.000 significance values, endorsing the effectiveness of the approach in facilitating well-being and psychological healing. The study underscores the potential of this integration, contributing to the crossroads of mysticism and psychotherapy. Further research is needed to explore its broader applicability.