Psychoanalytic Explorations Program: Zen Buddhism and Psychoanalysis: The Anxiety of Not-Knowing (12 CE credits, IL)

Zen Buddhism and Psychoanalysis: The Anxiety of Not-Knowing (12 CE credits, IL)

Instructor: Zak Mucha, LCSW

Meeting dates (2027): March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17

Meeting Time: Saturday 10 AM-12 PM

Location: TBA

Course Description:

In this course we will explore how the philosophy of Zen Buddhism parallels the practice of psychoanalysis. While Zen Buddhism declares “life is suffering” and Freud announced the goal of psychoanalysis was to transform “hysterical misery into common unhappiness,” both practices can change how we relate to our own pain and anxiety.

Zen is not about achieving a blissful state without desire, nor is it a nihilistic stance toward the inequities of the world and the anxieties provoked by the cultural demands to know everything – from daily caloric and protein intakes to the matrices supporting alleged global conspiracies.

We will discuss the writings of Wilfred Bion, Karen Horney, and Eric Fromm to see where their work supports the terrible freedom of “not-knowing” as a solution to our anxieties. We will also consider the writings of Shunryu Suzuki and Charlotte Joko Beck to develop a basic understanding of how Zen principles can deepen our clinical practices, reduce our suffering, and allow us to take part in the world.

Biographical Information:

Zak Mucha, LCSW, is a psychoanalyst and recent board president of the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis. He spent seven years working as the supervisor of an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program, providing 24/7 services to persons suffering from severe psychosis, substance abuse issues, and homelessness. He is also the author of Emotional Abuse: A Manual for Self-Defense as well as Swimming to the Horizon: Crack, Psychosis, and Street-Corner Social Work and two collections of poetry.