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Gestalt dialogic approach in light of the Judeo - Christian tradition

Publication at Hussite Theological Faculty |
2012

Abstract

Gestalt is a term for one of the psychotherapy schools, which focuses primarily on the inner experience and active listening. The therapist observes what is happening between him and the client.

There are several influences based primarily on the philosophy of existentialism and phenomenology. There can be seen here, however much deeper roots, which are based on the values of the Judeo - Christian tradition.

We can discern some areas where the Gestalt approach mirrors the Judeo-Christian concept of man and his world. The main focus of this paper is the dialogic approach.

Dialogicity, which is one of the pillars of Gestalt therapy, seems to be natural for human beings when considered from perspective of the Judeo - Christian tradition. Today's man is heir not only to the early Christian church, but also heir to humanism, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, liberalism and naturalism without fully realizing their mistake and deformed view.

The attacks directed against Christianity have left deep wounds in each of us and they still operate with strength often unesen and hidden, though considerable. Anthropological implications of this fact are evident in psychotherapeutic help, where one meets with its divided state of the psyche, the uncertainty of loss and disorientation.

These are the negative consequences of autonomy and the emancipation of man from the bindings to the Judeo - Christian order of life. The essay is mainly based on an analysis of I-Thou relationship, as Martin Buber presents in his book.

Dialogical personalism, which Buber is the main representative of, emphasizes that I can know myself as a person only through another person, who is the foundation for me. Dialogicity belonging to the thinking of judaism and christianity is naturally present in Gestalt, due to the fact that the roots of Gestalt are based on Jewish environment and Christian personalism at the same time.