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Therapeutic potential of Zen Buddhism and its practice in the Post-Anxiety Era

Oleksandr Donets

Cхід September 18, 2025 DOI: 10.21847/2411-3093.2025.713 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical analysis Peer reviewed
Topics Anxiety Meditation Buddhism
Keywords Zen buddhism Stress Psychotherapeutic practices
Key points Proposes that Zen Buddhist practices, such as meditation and mindfulness, offer a holistic framework for reducing anxiety and improving emotional stability, with effectiveness varying based on individual factors.

Abstract

This work explores the potential of Zen Buddhist practices such as meditation, mind-fulness, and acceptance of life's variability, examining their application in contemporary psychotherapeutic programs like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). The study employs a concise theoretical analysis of key Zen concepts, including emptiness (sunyata), satori (enlightenment), enso (circle symbolizing the universe), and the focus on living in the present moment. Methodological tools such as systematization, comparative analysis, critical reflection, and cross-cultural perspectives bridge Zen Buddhism and modern psychotherapy. Empirical evidence supports the effectiveness of Zen practices in reducing anxiety by fostering awareness and cultivating inner peace. Techniques such as zazen meditation improve emotional resilience, reduce stress, and encourage the acceptance of uncertainty and life's natural fluctuations. These practices are particularly effective in addressing anxiety linked to fears of the future and a lack of control. Studies also highlight the impact of Zen practices on neurophysiological activity, show-ing improvements in brain function and overall psychoemotional wellbeing. Programs like MBSR, which integrate meditative practices and mindfulness, demonstrate signifi-cant benefits in reducing anxiety symptoms and promoting mental health. However, their effectiveness can vary depending on individual factors, including commitment to practice and cultural adaptability. Despite these limitations, Zen Buddhism offers a holistic framework that complements conventional therapeutic methods. In conclusion, Zen Buddhism provides valuable tools for managing anxiety in the post-anxiety era. Its meditation and mindfulness practices, rooted in centuries-old wis-dom, have been scientifically validated as effective for reducing stress and improving emotional stability. Incorporating Zen principles into modern psychotherapeutic approaches can significantly enhance mental health, increase resilience to stress, and fos-ter a sense of harmony with oneself and the world. These timeless practices offer a pathway to greater inner peace and well-being, addressing the urgent need for effective mental health strategies in today's fast-paced and uncertain world.

Comparable studies

Other theoretical and historical papers on buddhism, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. 2006 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Buddhist Modernism and the Rhetoric of Meditative Experience 1995 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions and Well-Being 2005 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Too Early to Tell: The Potential Impact and Challenges—Ethical and Otherwise—Inherent in the Mainstreaming of Dharma in an Increasingly Dystopian World 2017 Theoretical or philosophical paper
From self to nonself: The Nonself Theory 2016 Theoretical or philosophical paper

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Anxiety Meditation Buddhism Addiction