gestalt

2. 1.Gestalt Prayer
2.Text of "Gestalt Prayer"
3.Impact and Legacy
4.The Gestalt Principles
5.A GESTALT THERAPY APPROACH TO
SHAME AND SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS:
THEORY AND METHODS

3. Gestalt Prayer
Origin
Fritz Perls created the Gestalt prayer to provide a
model that expresses Gestalt therapy and a means by
which we should live. The Gestalt prayer is a
statement which is an exemplary representation by
Dr. Perls that accurately summarizes his new method
of psychotherapy.
The meaning of the Gestalt prayer is for the
individual to live in harmony according to their own
needs and what feels right instead of looking to
outside influences to determine the individual's needs.
The statement also emphasizes the fact that when we
are fulfilled then we are better equipped to help
others to do the same which creates stronger
relationships.

4. Text of "Gestalt Prayer"
I do my thing and you do your thing.
I am not in this world to live up to your
expectations,
And you are not in this world to live up to
mine.
You are you, and I am I, and if by chance
we find each other, it's beautiful.
If not, it can't be helped.
(Fritz Perls, 1969)

5. Impact and Legacy
The Gestalt prayer describes in 56 words the focus
of Gestalt therapy and its viewpoint of personal
independence and is legendary in the practice of
Gestalt and psychotherapy professionals.
Although critics in opposition believe that
relationships must be developed through hard
work, those who believe in Gestalt feel that
relationships should never be based on obligation
or as a result of the expectations of others. The
Gestalt prayer is also well known for sparking
arguments in academic discussions related to
personal autonomy and interdependence and it is
widely used by the general culture as a creed to
live by.

6. The Gestalt Principles
Gestalt is a psychology term which means
"unified whole". It refers to theories of
visual perception developed by German
psychologists in the 1920s. These theories
attempt to describe how people tend to
organize visual elements into groups or
unified wholes when certain principles are
applied

7. A GESTALT THERAPY APPROACH TO
SHAME AND SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS:
THEORY AND METHODS
Abstract: Shame and self-righteousness are
intrapsychic dynamics that help the individual
defend against a rupture in relationship. This article
discusses how, from a life script perspective, shame
is comprised of the script belief 'Something is wrong
with me', formed as a result of messages and
decisions, conclusions in response to impossible
demands, and defensive hope and control. In
addition, from a Gestalt therapy perspective, shame
involves a diminished self-concept in confluence
with criticism, a defensive transposition of sadness
and fear, and disavowal and retroflection of anger.
Furthermore, shame may be an archaic fixation or
an introjection. The suggestion is made that self-
righteousness is the denial of a need for
relationship. A contact-oriented relationship
psychotherapy that emphasises methods of inquiry,
attunement, and involvement is described.

8. • Doctor, doctor, nobody believes me.?
Tell me the truth now, what is your real
problem?
•Two psychologists are in an elevator at
Psychology the end of the day after a hard day of
work. One of them is very
JOKES tired, exhausted, on the other hand, is
happy and relaxed. The first one says:
Hey, do not understand how you can be so
after twelve hours of treat problems with
your patients. The other replied in
amazement: tell me you do not hear them!
•Psychology is the only business where the
customer is never right ......!

9. Bibliography
•www.fritzperls.com/gestaltprayer/
•graphicdesign.spokanefalls.edu/.../gestaltprin
ciples/gestaltprinc.htm