The Psychologisation Of Eastern Spiritual Traditions

This essential book critically examines the various ways in which Eastern spiritual traditions have been typically stripped of their spiritual roots, content and context, to be more readily assimilated into secular Western frames of Psychology. Beginning with the colonial histories of Empire, the author draws from the 1960s Counterculture and the subsequent romanticising and idealising of the East. Cohen explores how Hindu, Buddhist and Daoist traditions have been gradually transformed into forms of Psychology, Psychotherapy and Self-Help, undergoing processes of ‘modernisation’ and secularisation until their respective cosmologies had been successfully reinterpreted and reimagined. An important component of this psychologisation is the accompanying commodification of Eastern spiritual practices, including the mass-marketing of mindfulness and meditation as part of the burgeoning well-being industry. Also presenting emerging voices of resistance from within Eastern spiritual traditions, the book ends with a chapter on Transpersonal Psychology, showing a path for how to gradually move away from colonisation and towards collaboration. Engaging with the ‘mindfulness movement’ and other practices assimilated by Western culture, this is fascinating reading for students and academics in psychology, philosophy and religious studies, as well as mindfulness practitioners.

The literature of the spiritual traditions, especially Buddhism, can be of enormous help in understanding the concept of well-being and in developing practices that enhance it. Because it pre-supposes no technical knowledge of either the spiritual traditions or psychology, this collection of essays by psychologists will be of interest to anyone concerned with their own and others' well-being. It shows how spiritual ideas are echoed in the theories and techniques of contemporary psychology and psychotherapy, and discusses some of the important issues and questions concerning the use of the spiritual traditions in working with distressed people in a variety of settings.

This is the first book to treat the impact of religious, philosophical and psychological traditions of the East on Western intellectuals, artists, travellers and spiritual seekers in the twentieth century. Addressed to both general readers and scholars of religion, it is especially valuable for its penetrating and inter-religious analysis of two of the most compelling themes now facing the world: the emergence of cross-cultural religious understanding of the natural order and ecological crisis and the metaphysical basis for both the formal diversity and essential unity of religious traditions of both East and West. The West has long romanticized the "mysterious" East, but it has, also, judged its traditions as "uncivilized." Our notions about Eastern spirituality have been formed by a succession of travellers, scientists, artists, intellectuals, poets, philosophers and missionaries, as well as by Eastern travellers who have spent time in the West. This book helps us to recognize the influence of Eastern ideas upon modern Western thought by tracing the history of engagements between East and West up until the present day. It concludes with a section that helps us to perceive the timeless value of the many Eastern contributions to the West's current intellectual and spiritual state.

This Handbook provides a comprehensive look at the educational scope of life and values that characterize 21st-century Asia, as well as those values shared across cultures. Some values are deeply resonant with the region’s past while others reflect modernity and the new contexts in which Asian societies find themselves. Exploring these values of different types and the way they are constructed in Eastern and Western contexts, the contributors delve into the diversity of religious, moral and social education to promote greater understanding across cultures. While a range of values is identified here, there is no single set of values that can be applied to all people in all contexts. The time has long gone, even for single societies, when values can be imposed. Yet this Handbook emphasizes both the extent and importance of values to individuals and their societies—how they respond to these values may provide the key to better and more caring societies and to better lives for all. Academics and teachers will find this Handbook resourceful because it raises important theoretical issues related to social values and their formation in distinctive contexts and provides novel insights into the diverse educational landscape in Asia. Policymakers and educators will also find this text helpful in learning to think about new ways to improve the quality of people’s lives.

Helps counselors-in-training develop their sense of identity as advocates and seekers of social justice Distinguished by a potent social justice and multicultural perspective, this comprehensive introductory text for counselors-in-training delivers foundational concepts through the lens of advocacy and intersectionality. This book emphasizes exploration of the individual and collective effect of local, national, and global social issues on clients and their communities, and imparts real world experiences from authors and clinical experts who provide personal accounts of challenges and successes in their practices. The text examines key evidence-based counseling theories with an in-depth focus on trauma-informed counseling and prompts reflection and dialogue about critical issues in counselor development. It introduces specific counseling micro-skills, techniques, and modalities and describes the varied settings in which counselors can practice. Engaging activities that foster self-analysis and self-actualization illuminate the path to becoming a professional counselor. Chapters encompass several features that promote high-level thinking and reinforce understanding of content. These include reflection exercises that relate chapter content to individual counselor identity, learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, Voices from the Field to bring counseling to life, Call to Action features to help students put learning into action, case studies, Group Process activities, and additional resources. Abundant instructor activities include Instructor’s Manual, Test Bank, PowerPoints, and recorded video podcasts. Key Features: Addresses the foundations of counseling through the perspective of multiculturalism, advocacy, social justice, and intersectionality Emphasizes understanding of the individual and collective effect of social issues on clients and their communities Includes recorded interviews with clinical experts and Voices from the Field Weaves the concept of trauma-informed counseling throughout Covers such trending topics as telemental health, the influence of climate change, psychedelic assisted therapies, and the effect of social media on counseling, and neuroscience Offers engaging self-actualization and reflection activities to enhance counselor training Each chapter includes learning objectives, Call to Action features, Think About This reflection exercises, Group Process activities, case studies, and more Offers an abundant ancillaries package including Instructor’s Manual, Test Bank, chapter PowerPoints, and video podcasts

Assembling original contributions, this book is a pioneering attempt to address the Euro-American esoteric reception and appropriation of China. Positioned between eighteenth-century's mesmerism and intersections with the modern martial arts current, the contributions specifically centre on nineteenth and early twentieth-century occult appraisals and representations. This book opens up an under-explored area of research in the field of East–West interactions and the global history of religions.

Grounded in trauma-informed approaches, intersectionality theory, and critical race theory, Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy for BIPOC Communities: Decolonizing Mental Health embodies psychotherapeutic practices via anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive paradigms. Complete with practical case studies, psychoeducational frameworks, and the author’s own inclusion and healing therapy (IHT) model, content from this book inspires practitioners to update their therapeutic competencies to effectively support BIPOC clients. This book is an essential read for current and future intersectional psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, counsellors, lawyers, educators, and healthcare professionals who actively work with BIPOC communities.

"This book, through its well-referenced and critically thoughtful approach, has made an invaluable contribution to the counseling literature. The extensive use of case studies and other applied materials makes it a valuable . . . reference." –Dr. Thomas J. Russo, Department of Counseling and School Psychology, University of Wisconsin, River Falls Incorporating Spirituality in Counseling and Psychotherapy presents an applied, insightful, and well-researched overview of the theory, practice, and ethics of integrating spiritual and religious themes and rituals into traditional therapy models. This well-conceived and immensely readable text examines common barriers and bridges between spirituality and mental health and documents the effectiveness of using spiritual practices and concepts in treatment. Most important, it encourages readers, through group activities and individual reflection, to consider their own spiritual belief systems and biases before engaging clients in therapy with a spiritual base. Key features of this book include: A synopsis of the major Eastern and Western religions and spiritual movements Theoretical, cultural, and ethical implications of incorporating spirituality in counseling Practical methods for helping clients develop a spiritual identity Proven techniques for incorporating spiritual practices in treatment Case studies providing complex, real-life scenarios, as well as questions and activities for individual and group discussion A practical book for students and a valuable resource for counselors, psychologists, social workers, addiction specialists, and other mental health professionals, Incorporating Spirituality in Counseling and Psychotherapy offers expert guidance on how to handle issues of spirituality in furthering the therapeutic process.