Morita Shoma, founder of Morita Therapy, the genius of classical hypnosis, "The revolution of the heart is as it is"

Morita Therapy - As It Is

Morita Masatake (born January 18, 1874 - died April 12, 1938), who lived from the Meiji period to the early Showa era, was a great medical scientist and thinker who deeply engraved his name in Japanese psychiatry.

In particular, it is widely known for its founding a unique mental therapy method known as Morita therapy, which is different from traditional psychotherapy.

His life went beyond merely a medical quest, but also a complex intertwined with personal anguish, philosophical thoughts and deep insight into the human being, which, as a result, was the driving force behind the birth of innovative psychotherapy.

Even in modern times, even after its announcement, this treatment is widely accepted and practiced domestically and internationally as an effective treatment for many mental problems, especially anxiety disorders and neurosis.

By delving deeper into Morita Shoma's life and achievements, we will be able to get a closer look at his humanity and the essence of Morita therapy he created, and look at its significance in modern society.

Morita Shoma's upbringing and formation

Morita Shoma took the first step in his life in a place surrounded by the rich nature of Kochi Prefecture. From an early age, he had a distinctive sensitivity that differed from other children, and his sensitive mind was expressed as a strong fear of death and illness. These experiences left a deep scar on his own mind, and at the same time fostered a deep understanding and insight into the feelings of anxiety and fear that lie deep within the human mind.

He went on to the Medical University of Tokyo Imperial University, where he was a place where he could study cutting-edge academic studies in society at the time, and went on to the path of medicine.

While attending university, he began to wonder about existing psychiatry as he became exposed to Western medical ideas and treatments. Psychiatry at the time focused on seeing patients' symptoms as illnesses, identifying and eliminating the cause.

However, Morita begins to hypothesize that mental anguish is not merely an illness, but is closely related to the personality and psychological mechanisms of an individual.

He noted that nervous breakdowns and anxiety-related disorders are deeply involved not only with physical factors, but with individual psychological responses, particularly with distinct personality tendencies called "neury." Based on this concept of "neurology," we begin to explore a completely new approach that is different from traditional psychotherapy.

As Morita went on to become a medical professional, he also worked diligently on cutting-edge treatments of the time, such as hypnotherapy and resting therapy.

These experiences broadened his horizons about treatment, while also keenly realizing the complexities of the human mind and the limitations of traditional treatments.

In particular, seeing that hypnotherapy can only be achieved temporarily and not a fundamental solution, Morita is determined to seek a treatment that will deepen and approach the roots of the human mind.

Then, by culminating these research and considerations, in 1903, he began laying the foundation for his unique treatment approach that led to Morita therapy. It was the moment when an innovative treatment was born that set the line apart from traditional psychiatry.

The core of Morita Therapy: Acceptance as it is

The core concept of Morita therapy is simple yet extremely profound: accepting "as is".

This is the idea of ​​accepting emotional and physical symptoms as natural phenomena rather than trying to deny or eliminate them.

Morita pointed out that emotions such as anxiety and fear occur naturally in human life, and attempts to exclude them excessively worsen symptoms.

In traditional psychotherapy, the mainstream approach was to identify the cause of symptoms and remove them, but in Morita therapy, we place importance on accepting symptoms as part of the self, not just enemies, and living in a way that encompasses them.

This concept of acceptance of "as is" has the power to dramatically change patients' self-perceptions.

By accepting symptoms as "part of yourself" rather than being hostile, you reduce excessive attention to symptoms and lead to unconditional acceptance of the self. This allows patients to live their lives more freely and independently without being swayed by symptoms.

The conflict between "desire of life" and "the fear of death"

Morita believes that at the heart of human psychological conflicts there is always a fundamental desire to "live" and an equally fundamental fear of "fearing death."

He noted that these two emotions have a major impact on human behavior and psychological state.

Feelings such as anxiety and fear are said to be more pronounced when the "real desire" is somehow inhibited, and one of the important purposes of Morita therapy is to investigate and resolve the cause.

Morita Therapy places emphasis on releasing the "real desires" and promoting self-realization as an individual.

It encourages patients to face their inner desires and impulses honestly and take action to make them come true. Through this process, patients can increase their self-efficacy and find a way to live their own way.

The development of Morita therapy

Even after the prototype of Morita therapy was completed, Morita's own efforts were constantly improved and systematized as a more practical treatment.

In 1919, Morita therapy began to take a clear form as a treatment method, and later passed on to many colleagues and disciples as he taught as a professor at the Tokyo Jikei University Medical University.

Especially since the 1920s, this therapy has been widely applied in the fields of mental illness, such as nervous breakdowns, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and social anxiety, where effective treatments had not been established at the time, and its effectiveness has become recognized.

Morita's students delved deeper into Morita therapy theory and made its practice more sophisticated.

Through their research and practice, Morita therapy became popular throughout Japan and played a role in releasing many people from mental anguish. In particular, during the chaos after World War II, people's demand for mental care increased, and Morita therapy gained much support due to its simplicity and effectiveness.

The expansion of development and application to modern times since the postwar period

As society became more complicated and stressful after the postwar period, more people were suffering from the stress of the country, Morita therapy has been used in a wide range of ways, including supporting mental health in the educational field and workplaces, across the boundaries of the medical field.

In the 1970s, Morita therapy theory and practice became widely understood by the general public. In 1983, the Japan Morita Therapy Society was established, encouraging the development and spread of academic research, and through the annual conference, new knowledge and practical methods are available to share.

Modern research has further expanded the scope of Morita therapy. Its application to various diseases with psychosomatic symptoms, such as depression, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), chronic pain, and even atopic dermatitis, has been reported.

In addition, its usefulness has been recognized in the field of industrial mental health, and Morita therapy plays an important role in psychological support for workers suffering from anxiety.

Specific approaches to support Morita therapy

Morita therapy not only emphasizes its theory, but also its concrete practice methods. Among these, the most important approaches are treatment strategies that aim to clarify and overcome "mental interactions" and to develop self-growth.

Understanding and overcoming "mental interactions"

Morita pointed out that excessive attention to patients' anxiety and fears creates a vicious cycle called "psychic interactions," in which patients produce more anxiety. To break this vicious cycle, it is important to reduce excessive attention to symptoms and focus on your actions and overall life. Morita Therapy encourages patients to reduce excessive attention to symptoms and maximize their abilities through concrete actions in daily life.

Treatment goals aimed at personal growth

The ultimate goal of Morita therapy is to not only relieve symptoms, but to allow patients to accept "they are who they are" and to take active action in their daily lives. Through this process, patients are driven towards increasing self-efficacy and achieving a way of life that is unique to them. Morita therapy is not just a treatment method, but a method that encourages patients' inner growth and supports self-realization, truly promoting human growth.

International spread and evaluation of Morita therapy

Due to its certain effect, Morita therapy is now recognized and practiced in a variety of countries, not only within Japan, but also in North America, China, and South Korea. As international academic exchanges progress, the International Morita Therapy Society was established, and further development is expected in both the theory and practice of Morita Therapy.

Additionally, the self-help group "Life Discovery Group" plays a major role in the spread of Morita therapy as a place for patients to share their experiences and support each other. These groups not only serve as a place of treatment, but also as a community where patients share their own sufferings and grow together.

Summary: The legacy of Morita therapy

Morita Therapy, left behind by Morita Shoma, is not merely alleviating symptoms, but continues to have timeless value as a treatment that pursues the patient's own internal growth and a more fulfilling life. Its philosophical and practical methods will become increasingly important in addressing the diverse spiritual challenges of modern society.

As Morita therapy research and practice continues to deepen, its influence is expected to expand further both domestically and internationally.

Morita Shoma's life and achievements can be said to be a valuable legacy that once again suggests to us the complexity and potential of the human mind.

Morita therapy is not just a treatment, but a philosophy of life that makes you think deeply about your way of life as a human being.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

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Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965, he has been suffering from troubles, illnesses and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena since childhood. However, one day, when he was 20 years old, he attended an event, had a mysterious experience at the venue, and was hit by lightning energy from the heavens, as if piercing the spinal cord from his brain, and his psychic abilities blossomed. He then began studying psychology and psychiatry, and now he has combined psychiatry and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics exorcism" using our own radionics techniques. "It's possible to treat your fortune" beyond exorcism, memorial service, and healing.