Beyond The Empty Mirror

In Zen-Buddhism the enlightened consciousness could metaphorically be represented by a mirror endowed by three main attributes:

1. The mirror represents the world but has nothing of its own
2. The mirror does not refuse any reflection
3. The mirror is dynamic and in constant change within a world of never-ending transformations. 

The Zen Mirror may be compared to the psychological mirror that does not reflect the truth or objective reality apparently presented by the care-seeker. The mirror offered by the therapist, named counter transference, involves the persona of the therapist as created by the car-seeker and the projection of his experiences during and beyond the therapy session. The meeting place between the care-seeker and the caregiver, the therapist, creates a new existential reality which is the gift of therapy to the care-seeker. The book deals with existential issues such as the value and meaning of life, the struggle with “internal demons”, determinism vs. free will, death and life, the desire for the “secure place” in a virtual world, and the split between good and evil. It also contains theoretical issues such as the secret of psychotherapy and the developmental spiral of the self. Other subjects are clinical issues such as the prevalence of the narcissistic personality in modern society, personal reflections and experiences by the caregiver, and many vignettes that demonstrate and illustrate theoretical ideas described in the book.