The Trees, My Lungs: Self Psychology and the Natural World at an American Buddhist Center

Authors

Daniel S. Capper, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2014

Department

Philosophy and Religion

Abstract

This study employs ethnographic field data to trace a dialogue between the self psychological concept of the selfobject and experiences regarding the concept of “interbeing” at a Vietnamese Buddhist monastery in the United States. The dialogue develops an understanding of human experiences with the nonhuman natural world which are tensive, liminal, and nondual. From the dialogue I find that the selfobject concept, when applied to this form of Buddhism, must be inclusive enough to embrace relationships with animals, stones, and other natural forms. The dialogue further delineates a self psychological methodology for examining religions in their interactions with natural forms.

Publication Title

Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science

Volume

49

Issue

3

First Page

554

Last Page

571

Recommended Citation

Capper, D. S. (2014). The Trees, My Lungs: Self Psychology and the Natural World at an American Buddhist Center. Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, 49(3), 554-571.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/14854