---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Psychoanalysis and Zen, in my private…"
description: "\"Psychoanalysis and Zen, in my private psychic geometry, are equal to nicotine. They are anti-existential. Nicotine quarantines one out of existence.\" —..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/norman-mailer-839_equal_psychoanalysis-and-zen-in-my-private-psy_1989412.png"
---

#  Psychoanalysis and Zen, in my private psychic geometry…

![“Psychoanalysis and Zen, in my private psychic geometry, are equal to nicotine. They are anti-existential. Nicotine quarantines one out of existence.” quote by Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/norman-mailer-839_equal_psychoanalysis-and-zen-in-my-private-psy_1989412.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/norman-mailer-839_equal_psychoanalysis-and-zen-in-my-private-psy_1989412.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/norman-mailer-839_equal_psychoanalysis-and-zen-in-my-private-psy_1989412.png)

> “Psychoanalysis and Zen, in my private psychic geometry, are equal to nicotine. They are anti-existential. Nicotine quarantines one out of existence.”

[Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-mailer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He compares psychoanalysis and Zen to nicotine, suggesting they both deny existence and act as a mental escape.

**In simple terms:** Psychoanalysis and Zen deny existence like nicotine.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when ideas serve as escapism.

Themes

existentialism psychology spirituality

Mood

introspective critical

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

- personal reflection
- therapy sessions
- spiritual practice
- stress coping

Key Concepts

nihilism anti‑existentialism escapism

Questions to Reflect On

- Do these ideas help you avoid confronting reality?
- How might you engage with them without escapism?

A Different Perspective

Such comparisons may oversimplify complex philosophies.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Anti Existential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anti-existential-3441564/) [Equal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Existential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existential/) [Existential Nicotine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existential-nicotine-3441562/) [Geometry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/geometry/) [Hmmm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hmmm/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Nicotine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nicotine/) [Psychics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychics/) [Psychoanalysis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychoanalysis/) [Psychoanalysis Zen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychoanalysis-zen-3441563/) [Quarantine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quarantine/)

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