Zen and psychology

Abstract

The history of the study of Zen and psychology is divided into four periods based on Kato (1999). The contributions of the psychophysiological study of the body and mind, such as the use of the electroencephalogram during Zen meditation, are described. Key names in this field are K. Sato and Akishige, who organized the project team for the study of Zen and endeavored to give these studies international recognition through the publication of books and the journal, Psychologia. Not only the practice of Zen meditation, but also the day-to-day practices of monastic life, are given equal priority in the attempt to understand our true self and real nature. The year 1978 marks the turning point in the study of Zen and psychology because Akishige introduced the idea of Zen psychology; which is the amalgamation of Zen thought with the study of psychological problems, particularly related to the control of emotions. The metascience of the study of Zen is cited by first-, second-and third-person psychology (Watanabe, 1994). Finally, the significance of the idea of all three-person psychology is emphasized. © 2005 Japanese Psychological Association.