Buddhist Psychology and Trauma Work

Abstract

This article suggests the contribution that Buddhist psychology can make to the development of new thinking and methodologies in the field of trauma work. It begins with an historical and conceptual review of the vicissitudes of spirituality and secularism as influences in the psychological management and treatment of sudden or radical change whether traumatic or constructive, noting that a more positive attitude toward spirituality now prevails than has been the case in earlier phases of modernity. It then goes on to look at the specific contribution that Buddhist psychology, particularly that associated with the Amidist school, can make, outlining its metaphysical structure and distinctive non-self-perspective and the consequences this has in terms of situation analysis and therapeutic approach. An outline is given of the Buddhist perspective upon repetition compulsion and this leads to a review of examples of a variety of therapeutic methods that have been developed. Finally, reference is made to the classification of Buddhist methods into sudden and gradual, and the relation between the former mode and the re-construal of trauma as opportunity.