Wuhua Therapy: A Way to ZhiMian Unallowable Experience in the Context of Chinese Culture

Abstract

Wuhua philosophy is rooted in Taoism. Zhuangzi described the practice of Wuhua as the “fasting of the heart mind” (心斋). Humanistic psychology and analytical psychology describe the “fasting of the heart mind” as a path leading to ZhiMian. The resolution of the boundary between conflicts is built on a dialogue between differences that is characterized by effort and an open attitude. The key to the Wuhua experience is Qi. In the experience of Qi, mankind humbly aims to understand the world from the heart mind position to explore how the self is related to the world and to define the self and the other interdependently and relatively. Wuhua therapy fosters experience in all dimensions, concentrating on the natural emergence and movement of Qi, and waits for it to lead to the dissolution of boundaries and to generate its creative healing nature. The method of Wuhua therapy involves noninterpretation, careful observation, and faithful reflection. This article describes a case that illustrates the method and discusses the resonance between Wuhua philosophy and humanistic psychology.