Book Launch: Principles of Dialectical Temporal Therapy

What is time? Is it merely a linear progression marked by clocks and calendars, or is it an entity carrying a far deeper significance? In his latest release, Principles of Dialectical Temporal Therapy, Dr. M. M. Suzuki takes readers on an extraordinary journey to uncover the essence of time, merging philosophy, neuroscience, physics, and reflections on mortality and the human condition. Born from a lifelong fascination with time and its intimate relationship with existence itself, this work explores the often-overlooked complexity between physical time and lived time.

The book begins with an analysis of various philosophical perspectives on time, from Heidegger to contemporary phenomenology. It then examines advances in physics and neuroscience, which reveal intricate ways in which our perception of time shapes reality. However, the core of the book lies in lived time—our subjective experience of temporal flow—and its implications for individual mental health and healthy development.

The author presents the principles of Dialectical Temporal Therapy, an innovative approach designed to bridge the gap between objective constructs of time and temporality. Expanding on traditional philosophical and existential views, this approach has the potential to transform how we understand mental disorders and work towards fostering well-being and alleviating existential suffering.

This book is recommended for psychotherapists looking to expand their clinical practice, for those intrigued by the mysteries of existence, or for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION:

This book emerges from the profound fascination that the mystery of time exerts upon me. This mystery first manifested when I was four or five years old, confronting the reality of finitude for the first time—the realization that loved ones eventually leave us. I vividly recall the despair this realization sparked within me, tempered only by attempts to set the matter aside, postponing the confrontation with loss, and striving to avoid being overwhelmed by anguish. Later, throughout childhood and adolescence, I found myself gripped by the fear of my own mortality, seeking solace in a connection with God. While this provided temporary comfort, the seed of suffering remained planted within me.

After completing my medical studies and a psychiatry residency, my path became deeply intertwined with the theme of finitude. At times, this confrontation was eased by a technical focus or a near-magical belief in medicine’s ability to conquer death. Although this perspective was momentarily effective in lessening my anxiety, it was insufficient to eliminate the suffering seeded within me. It was, once again, a way to defer the inevitable confrontation. After all, everyone dies one day, and we all lose those we love, but that day always seems far away, making it easier to worry about it later.

Dissatisfied with these explanations and faced with new contingencies marked by grief, I decided to confront this theme head-on. I had a sense that there was something profoundly unknown about finitude, something that I and most others had yet to grasp. This realization drove me to delve into the study of time. To my surprise, I discovered astonishing aspects of this entity, which at first glance seemed so obvious as to not warrant study. However, it became increasingly clear to me that time is an unfathomable mystery.

While time remains a mystery, integrating knowledge from various disciplines allows for a broader understanding, unveiling surprising insights that can aid in preventing and treating the suffering that accompanies our existence. This book begins with an exploration of what philosophers have been saying for millennia about the concept of time, aiming to demonstrate that beyond the linear flow of time—commonly accepted as obvious—there are numerous other ways to understand and live it. I then delve into findings from physics and neuroscience, highlighting lesser-known aspects of time that enrich our perception of temporal flow. While I would have liked to include and further elaborate on other elements of these domains, I chose to prioritize lived time in this book.

The analysis continues with an examination of human temporality—that is, time as it is experienced—drawing upon the framework of phenomenological psychopathology and exploring specific mental disorders. Finally, I propose a synthesis of physical time and lived time, suggesting that expanding one’s philosophy of life and worldview through the principles of Dialectical Temporal Therapy has the potential to protect mental health.

This book is for anyone seeking to gain additional perspective on their existence, including its beginning and its end. It is also intended for psychotherapists aiming to expand their philosophical and therapeutic repertoire to better support individuals suffering from mental disorders. Above all, it is for anyone striving to understand time and, consequently, themselves.

Through my studies, I found that examining the relationship between physical time and individual temporality leads to an encounter with the individual themselves—and beyond that, with totality.

TO READ:

Printed editions of the book, available exclusively in English, can be purchased on Amazon. Click here to access the website.