isism

-a word derived from the English 'what is' and coined by Perls to denote a realistic vision of what exists, as opposed to my imaginary desires or fears. The opposite is shouldism, what should be, what I would wish to be the case.

Definition excerpted with permission from Ginger, Serge International Glossary of Gestalt Psychotherapy (Seven languages including English. Order from FORGE at 183 rue Lecourbe; 75015 Paris, France) Paperback 1995.