Wilfred Bion and Zen Buddhism

This book explores the profound relationship between Bionian psychoanalysis and Zen Buddhism, examining how the concepts of Mu (nothingness) and Mushin (no-mind) illuminate Bion's later work and offer fresh perspectives on his analytic techniques.

Through a unique dialogue between Japanese clinicians, Western practitioners versed in Zen philosophy and philosophical scholars, the book bridges Bion's post-1965 inductive approach with traditional psychoanalytic methods. Readers will gain insight into key concepts including the search for O/absolute truth, catastrophic change in the analytical process, and the analytic attitude based on faith. The book demonstrates how Bion's abandonment of deductive technique in favour of an ontologically grounded practice converges with Zen principles, making his often mystical later period more accessible and clinically applicable. By examining Bion's early exposure to Indian thought and its enduring influence, the volume provides practical understanding of intuition, vertical free associations, and transformations in O.

This book is essential reading for psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, and mental health professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of Bionian technique. It will particularly benefit clinicians interested in Eastern philosophy, students of comparative psychoanalytic approaches, and researchers exploring the intersection of psychoanalysis and Buddhist thought.