ABSTRACT
The Zen Master tries to provide an atmosphere of safety in which the student can find his true nature largely through concentration in the nowness. Too much safety however can induce slothful comfort and spiritual sleep. The Master tries to balance safety and challenge. Learning Zen is largely unlearning. Fritz Perls, the founder of Gestalt therapy, was well aware of this process. He related Zen principles to psychotherapy. He offered his patients little help of the comforting kind. Perls realized the paradox of the will in Zen. It is essential to want very badly to be enlightened but that wanting and craving is a primary source of energy for the ego. Ichazo describes the growth of this process: A contradiction develops between the inner feelings of the child and the outer social reality to which he must conform. Government is concerned about economic efficiency as well as contact with consumers.
