A Pilgrimage towards the Self : Personal Experiences in Intensive Naikan

ホンライ ノ ジブン ジュンレイ ジブン ジシン ヲ シュウチュウ ナイカン ノ タイショウ ト スル コト トハ

Chervenkova, Velizara

オオサカ ダイガク ダイガクイン ニンゲン カガク ケンキュウカ キョウイクガクケイ

Department of Education, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University

In the present paper, the author, a native of Bulgaria, shares her firsthand experience of intensive Naikan, while trying to grasp the essence of this unique Japanese psychotherapeutic approach. Deeply rooted in Japanese culture, Naikan therapy uses a symbolic language related to the specific atmosphere of a Naikan training center and this language, according to the author, paves the way to both physical and mental health. On the other hand, despite all its distinctive features, Naikan therapy is focused on universal human issues regardless of one’s age, sex, race, religion and previous experience, while, at the same time, it pays due respect to the practitioner’s personality and unique life story. It is therefore not difficult to classify Naikan as a rather universal psychotherapeutic approach.