Observations placeholder
Forgiveness and psychoses
Identifier
006288
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
J Clin Psychol. 2013 Aug;69(8):829-35. doi: 10.1002/jclp.22018. Epub 2013 Jun 17. Forgiveness in psychotherapy: the key to healing. Menahem S, Love M. Teachers College, Columbia University, NY, USA. smenahem@aol.com
The process of forgiveness in psychotherapy involves both letting go of resentment toward the offender and replacing the resentment with mindful awareness and empathy. By reconceptualizing past transgressions with a kinder, more equivocal outlook, clients attain a shift in perspective that is spiritual and cognitive in nature, thereby reducing symptomology and enhancing their quality of life. Such insights bring clients toward their inner Buddha nature, which transcends the suffering associated with clinging to past hurts and resentment. This process is facilitated by techniques such as concentrative meditation and identifying with transgressors through perspective taking. Forgiveness therapy improves clients' sense of well-being by promoting feelings of peacefullness toward oneself as well as others.
© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
KEYWORDS:
forgiveness, mindfulness, psychotherapy, wellbeing
PMID: 23775401