Dr Robert Hirsch, Copenhagen/Denmark
Robert Hirsch, M.D., born 1971 in Leipzig. Medical studies at Leipzig University and training in clinical psychiatry and psychotherapy in Leipzig and London. From 2008 to 2018 residential training in mindfulness and Buddhist Psychology at Plum Village Zen Monastery under the direction of Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh. Since 2015 practice and training in Transpersonal Psychotherapy (Respiration Holotropique) at CesHum (Paris) and since 2018 training in Non-Violent Communication with Robert Gonzales, PhD (Center for Living Compassion, Portland, Oregon). Focusses on the interface between traditional Eastern contemplative practice (attention and pure awareness) and Western psychotherapeutic approaches.
My personal path has led me from clinical psychiatry to mindfulness and transpersonal practice. This path unfolds as a continuous uncovering of layers of psycho-physical constriction that keeps me from a full contact with the present moment, and a deep yearning for an unimpeded, fully embodied and universally connected being-in-the-world. I see this path as a parallel movement of sinking back into the Source and a reaching out into the fullness of the physical world. This 'static movement' expresses itself in two main dimensions: the 'inner' (contemplative) and the 'outer', embodied connection with the 'other'. In my experience, these dimension tend to unfold effortlessly in a space of empathic presence, but they can also be catalysed through certain practices (such as Holotropic Breathing). For me, the fundamental approach to this process is a non-directive, unconditional being-with-the-other.