Zhi Mian Therapy: Key Features and its Distinction from Western Existential Therapy

Introduction

There have been a growing number of publications on Zhi Mian therapy in recent years (e.g. Hoffman, 2009; Wang, 2011; Wang, 2016). Although the meaning of Zhi Mian and its implication has been attracting considerable interests, its definition and relationship with Western theories remain unclear.  The aim of this study is to define Zhi Mian therapy by discussing the key features that distinguish it from Western Existential therapies.

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Key Features

Zhi Mian therapy is developed by Xuefu Wang based on the Legacy of Lu Xun who is one of the most influential writers in modern China.  Zhi Mian therapy can be seen as an extension of Lu Xun’s work in form of psychotherapy. Zhi Mian has inherited Lu Xun’s legacy in following ways:

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1.  Zhi Mian builds on the cultural reflection movement of Modern China.  There are many indigenous psychologies capitalize ancient traditions such as Taoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Zhi Mian has its root in Chinese culture, but mainly inherited Lu Xun’s penetrating reflection of shortcomings of traditional Chinese culture.

2. The primary goal of Zhi Mian is cultural transformation. Zhi Mian follows Lu Xun’s axiom that “In order to establish a nation, one must first establish her people”. Although Zhi Mian therapists work with individual clients, the intention is to change the culture by helping clients accomplish cultural transformation at the individual level.

3. The goal of cultural transformation is to promote authentic living. Lu Xun pointed out that the greatest tragedy in Chinese culture is the suppression of authenticity. Zhi Mian proposes that such lack of authenticity results in trauma and pathological escapism (overreliance on defense mechanism). To facilitating cultural transformation is to liberate the individual from the prevalent unexamined cultural norms, and to unveil the suppressed authenticity.

4. Zhi Mian believes in the transformative power of literature. Lu Xun believed that literature has the widest influence on people’s mentality, and therefore is the best approach for cultural transformation. Lu Xun is also known for his existential philosophical thoughts (as he was called the Nietzsche of China), but Zhi Mian mainly inherits the legacy of Lu Xun as a writer. Zhi Mian therapists rely on rich and vivid narratives (such as fables, metaphor) rather than a philosophical statement.

5. Zhi Mian views psychological disorder as overreliance on defense mechanisms. Zhi Mian proposes that the root of psychological disorder is irrational, unspecific fear, which causes pathological escapism in form of overreliance on defense mechanism. While symptoms serve as an “iron house” which allows one to hide and avoid the inevitable imperfection, uncertainty, and suffering in his/her life (Wang, 2011), it also prevents one from real, authentic life and eventually causes a sense of meaninglessness. Psychological disorder is essentially a phobia of life.

6. Zhi Mian achieves healing through exploring and facing reality. The therapeutic goal of Zhi Mian is to encourage clients to face their reality directly, to walkthrough and transcend the inevitable suffering of life by the discovery the personal meaning of it. Because symptoms serve as avoidance of life’s reality, once one starts to face the reality, he/she no longer needs the avoidance. Losing their underpinning drives, symptoms would naturally wither with no need for further intervention.  The treatment of Zhi Mian can be seen as exposure therapy of life.

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Distinction from Western Existential therapy​

Many aspects of Zhi Mian theory echo with Western psychological theories. Like Lu Xun did one century ago, Zhi Mian proactively integrates western concepts, techniques, and theories to serve its purpose. One may find that Zhi Mian shares numerous similarities with Western Existential therapy. There is no doubt that both Lu Xun and Zhi Mian are influenced by Existentialism, Zhi Mian is different from Western existential therapy in following ways:

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1. Zhi Mian inherits Lu Xun’s deep affection to his fellow countryman. Comparing to his contemporary Western existentialists whose works are mostly appreciated by highly educated elites, Lu Xun’s works are much more accessible and memorable to people with minimal education. Zhi Mian follows Lu Xun’s approach, providing memorable stories and metaphors which clients can ruminate after the session and discover personal meanings on their own.

2. Zhi Mian holds a concrete goal of cultural transformation. Like Western existential therapy, Zhi Mian values clients’ awareness of here-and-now and their search for ultimate meaning, but it puts more emphasis on reviewing client’s “common sense” (unexamined cultural presumptions) and enhancing their ability to live an authentic life even through ordinary.

3. Zhi Mian emphasizes the value of independence and but it does not root in Western individualism. Zhi Mian focuses on the balance between “the ability of connection” and “the ability of rejection”. The individualism component in Zhi Mian severs as an antidote to the excessive collectivism in Chinese culture.  While facilitating clients’ ability to set a boundary, Zhi Mian also encourages them to build connection, and find meaning in the relationship with other people

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Reference​

Hoffman, L. (2012). An existential-phenomenological approach to the psychology of religion. Pastoral Psychology, 61(5-6), 783-795.

Wang, X. (2009). Spiritual warrior in search of meaning: An existential view of Lu Xun through his life incidents and analogies. Existential psychology east–west, 149-164.

Wang, X. (2011). Zhi Mian and existential psychology. The Humanistic Psychologist, 39(3), 240. Wang, X. (2012). On becoming a religious therapist in Chinese culture. Pastoral Psychology, 61(5-6), 1007-1024.

Wang, X. (2016). Zhi Mian: approaching healing/therapy through facing reality, Existential Analysis, 27(1), 4-15