THE WATER OF LIFE:
DISSOLUTION AND TRANSFORMATION IN SANDPLAY THERAPY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 26, Number 1, 2017

Cai Chenghou
Guangzhou, China

KEY WORDS: Sandplay therapy, individuation process, water, solvent, transformation, symbol, Self, Jung, clinical example, depression, insomnia, woman, female, adult, psychic development, I Ching, Confucius, Lao Tse, alchemy, solutio, “ting”, well, river, lake, Tao, mandala.

ABSTRACT: Water is not only an essential natural resource, it is the essence of the world and life. Water has many cultural and symbolic meanings that are often overlooked. In this article, the symbolism of water in eastern and western cultures is discussed. This exploration may help us to better understand the archetypal element of water when used in a client’s sandplay process. The article describes the analytic therapy and sandplay process of a woman who was referred to therapy with symptoms of depression. Jung stated, “Water in all forms—sea, lake, river, spring—is one of the commonest typifications of the unconscious” (1963, para.364). Through the use of water throughout her sandplay process, a client works to dissolve fixed and hardened complexes.


In German

DAS WASSER DES LEBENS:
AUFLÖSUNG UND VERWANDLUNG IN DER SANDSPIELTHERAPIE

Cai Chenghou
Guangzhou, China

SCHLAGWÖRTER: Sandspieltherapie, Individuationsprozess, Wasser, Lösungsmittel, Verwandlung, Symbol, Selbst, Jung, klinisches Fallbeispiel, Depression, Schlaflosigkeit, Frau, weiblich, Erwachsener, psychische Entwicklung, I Ching, Konfuzius, Lao Tse, Alchemie, Solutio, „ting“, Brunnen, Fluss, See, Tao, Mandala.

ABSTRACT: Dieser Beitrag untersucht das Symbol des Wassers in östlichen und westlichen Kulturen. Die analytische Therapie und der Sandspielprozess einer Frau mit depressiven Symptomen wird präsentiert. Stagnierte und verhärtete Komplexe wurden aufgelöst.


In Spanish

EL AGUA DE LA VIDA:
DISOLUCIÓN Y TRANSFORMACIÓN EN TERAPIA DE SANDPLAY

Cai Chenghou
Guangzhou, China

PALABRAS SIGNIFICATIVAS: Terapia sandplay, proceso de individuación, agua, solvente, transformación, símbolo, Yo, Jung, ejemplo clínico, depresión, insomnio, mujer, hembra, adulto, desarrollo psíquico, I Ching, Confucio, Lao Tse, alquimia, solutio, “ting”, fuente, rio, lago, Tao, mandala.

RESUMEN: En este artículo se discute el simbolismo del agua en las culturas oriental y occidental. Se presenta la terapia analítica y el proceso de sandplay de una mujer con síntomas de depresión. Se disolvieron complejos fijos y endurecidos.


In French

L’EAU DE LA VIE:
DISSOLUTION ET TRANSFORMATION EN THÉRAPIE SANDPLAY

Cai Chenghou
Guangzhou, China

MOTS CLÉS: Traitement de la sandplay, processus d’individuation, eau, solvant, transformation, symbole, Soi, Jung, exemple clinique, dépression, insomnie, femme, femme, adulte, développement psychique, I Ching, Confucius, Lao Tse, alchimie, solutio, «ting » , puits, rivière, lac, Tao, mandala.

RÉSUMÉ: Le symbolisme de l’eau dans les cultures orientales et occidentales est abordé dans cet article. Les processus analytique de thérapie et de sandplay d’une femme présentant des symptômes de la dépression est présenté. Fixes et durcis complexes ont été dissous.


In Portuguese

A AGUA DE VIDA:
DISSOLUÇÃO E TRANSFORMAÇÃO EM TERAPIA DE SANDPLAY

Cai Chenghou
Guangzhou, China

PALAVRAS CHAVE: Terapia de sandplay, processo de individuação, água, solvente, transformação, símbolo, Self, Jung, exemplo clínico, depressão, insônia, mulher, feminino, adulto, desenvolvimento psicológico, I-Ching, Confúcio, Lao Tse, Alquimia, solutio, “ting”, poço, rio, lago, Tao, Mandala.