The approach to ultimate care
- Thoughts after reading "Communication with the Prophet"
Liang Henghao
1. The relationship with Teacher Xu Jinsheng
I have heard of Teacher Xu for a long time, and he has many translated works and monographs. I am very familiar with Maslow research, no one can match it. The "mind-centered" theory and related psychological counseling techniques he proposed in recent years are unique in the country and have become a school of their own. They have been spread by word of mouth and have a profound influence. In 2015, at the 6th Buddhist Psychology Forum of Xiyuan Temple in Suzhou, I had the opportunity to communicate with Teacher Xu in person. Since then, I have participated in several of Teacher Xu’s holistic psychology and heart-to-heart workshops, during which I discussed relevant issues with Teacher Xu. Extensive and in-depth discussions, personal experience of Teacher Xu’s theories and techniques, and a lot of gains. The discussion with Teacher Xu also caused me to think about some issues related to psychological counseling and religion.
Mr. Xu's book "Connecting with the Prophet" is a summary and improvement of his theoretical thinking and practical experience over the years. It is rich in content and has deep thinking. The concepts of "tongxin" and "tongxinli" are psychological languages with Chinese characteristics. The most important thing is that Teacher Xu integrated, digested and absorbed the psychological ideas in traditional culture, creatively put forward a series of effective theories, concepts and techniques with personal characteristics, and applied and promoted them in practice. , humbly and sincerely accept the criticism and challenges from industry experts and scholars, and then further think deeply and continuously improve your own theoretical system.
2. Characteristics of Mr. Xu Jinsheng’s psychological research
1. Mr. Xu is based on the thoughts of humanism represented by Maslow and post-humanism and integrationism represented by Ken Wilbur. Research is very important for those of us who are engaged in psychological research. Only by systematically understanding the thoughts of great psychologists can we stand on the shoulders of giants, think deeply, and further expand, thereby moving China's psychological research to the next level. Push forward.
2. Teacher Xu specifically proposed the idea of "great health" that takes care of the body, mind and soul. Teacher Xu pointed out that when you fully develop your potential and become a capital "person" or "whole person", you will be in the state of "becoming a Buddha". The idea of holistic psychology aims to realize that "a person is not only a channel, but also understands people and everything." At first glance, the word "whole person" can easily cause misunderstandings, as it seems to have the meaning of "perfect person". After truly understanding it carefully, Teacher Xu’s so-called “whole person” refers to the full development of potential, aiming to achieve the harmonious unity of body, mind and soul. However, it is not a state of perfection and perfection. It is a state of energy development, not a state of harmony and unity. A perfect state without any conflicts or contradictions in the outside world.
3. Teacher Xu attaches great importance to individual experience and self-growth and perfection. Teacher Xu combined self-analysis with case analysis to understand the principles of psychological counseling, fully embodying the essence of psychological counseling that helps oneself and others, and helps oneself and others. Teacher Xu’s analysis and reflection on every stage of his life is very profound. He can start from a personal perspective, learn from the saints and sages, take the initiative to communicate with the saints, and achieve enlightenment through sacred communication with the saints, thereby perfecting himself. This is fully reflected in the book "Communication with the Prophet".
4. Teacher Xu’s spiritual approach to personal ultimate care. In the book "Connecting with the Prophets", Teacher Xu's understanding of the saints and sages is mainly based on his own learning and understanding, which challenges the stylized content of traditional beliefs to some extent. He believes in Buddhism, Jesus, and Taoism , but his "faith" does not follow the traditional approach, but follows his own inner "heart-to-heart" method. His faith does not emphasize tradition, belonging, or rituals, but diversification and integration, and the pursuit of "the great road" "To the utmost simplicity", this is exactly a "spiritual" approach to faith, and it is also a "Chinese" approach.
5. Teacher Xu’s psychological counseling has distinctive personal characteristics.It is closely related to Teacher Xu’s approach to ultimate care. Teacher Xu’s psychological counseling also has its own distinctive personal characteristics. He put forward the “cat-and-mouse theory” that “the law cannot be determined”; he advocated the principle of simplicity and the “uncomfortable- - See through - Let go - Be at ease" growth formula is highly operable and easy to promote; it integrates hundreds of schools and is self-contained. During the consultation process, he flexibly uses consulting methods from all schools according to needs. As the saying goes, the simplest method is difficult to obtain, and the supreme way requires perseverance.
3. The connection between religion and psychological counseling
The “localization” process of psychological counseling is inseparable from the participation of religion and culture. People from different religious circles are paying attention to psychology in order to better help believers and even the general public. In this regard, Buddhism has done more work and has a relatively greater influence. I learned in a training class for Christian pastors that grassroots pastors also need knowledge of psychological counseling because they realize that faith is not omnipotent in solving the psychological problems of believers. From another level, psychological counselors also need to understand religious beliefs in order to better face clients with religious beliefs and better empathize with their psychological struggles related to their beliefs, so as to solve their psychological problems. As Jung pointed out, psychological counselors and pastors should learn from each other and improve each other. As a researcher engaged in religious psychology, I look forward to the emergence of more outstanding psychological counselors like Mr. Xu in the future, who can better integrate religion and psychological counseling and help more people in practice. I am confident in this. .
(Foreword: This article is a speech delivered by Mr. Liang Henghao at the "Xu Jinsheng Whole-person Psychology·Tongxin Theory Seminar" held at the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences on June 9, 2018. Liang Henghao, Institute of World Religions, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Associate researcher, Ph.D. National Level 2 Psychological Counselor . His main works are "Religious Psychology" and "Jung's Religious Psychology")
