Modern Psychology and Ancient Wisdom: Psychological Healing Practices from the World's Religious Traditions

Modern Psychology and Ancient Wisdom

Psychological Healing Practices from the World's Religious Traditions

By Sharon G. Mijares

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ISBN: 978-0-7890-1752-9
Binding: Paperback (also available in Hardback)
Published by: Routledge
Publication Date: 16th December 2002
Pages: 284

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About the Book

Harness the psychospiritual healing potential of prayer, meditation, breathing, and more!

This thoughtful anthology illuminates ancient ways of psychospiritual healing. Research has shown the healing potential of prayer, meditation, controlled breathing, and other timeless spiritual disciplines. This extraordinary book brings together experts who explore these concepts from the perspectives of Christianity, Buddhism, Sufism, the Goddess tradition, Judaism, Native American spirituality, Taoism, and Hinduism/Yoga.

In Modern Psychology and Ancient Wisdom: Psychological Healing Practices from the World’s Religious Traditions, you’ll discover ancient techniques used by teachers, guides, and practitioners through the ages to facilitate psychological healing.

Each chapter of this unique book presents a unique and distinctive view of psychospiritual practice and demonstrates its healing applications. With it, you will explore:

the Buddhist concept of Brilliant Sanity and how to help clients reconnect to it through several specific practices
ways of accessing the healing power of Christ as employed by various denominations
a remarkable collection of metaphors in the Goddess tradition to help in the healing process for battered and abused women
Kabbalistic (Jewish mystical) paths to healing
Native American healing rituals and tales
Sufi stories, poetry, and practices--dance, sound, breathing, turning, walking meditation, and remembrance--that encourage the healing process
health and healing resources from the Taoist tradition, including wu-wei (effortless effort), acupuncture, diet and nutrition, and meditation
Hindu yoga techniques that employ physical postures, mantric sound, and breath control
and much more!

Modern Psychology and Ancient Wisdom is a book that offers important help to the layperson, psychologist, pastoral caregiver, and professor. It will help religious leaders understand more about the practices of other faiths. It is in harmony with the movement of our post-modern world toward multicultural perspectives, offering a large, varied, and meaningful view of the world.

About the Editor
Contributors
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Examining the Problem
The Shadow Side of Neglect
Integrating Science and Religion
Buddhism
Chapter 1. Nurturing the Seeds of Sanity: A Buddhist Approach to Psychotherapy
Introduction
Brilliant Sanity and Buddha Nature
The Four Noble Truths
The Path of Contemplative Psychotherapy
Cultivating Mindfulness
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
Using Mindless Practices Mindfully
The Outcome
Christianity
Chapter 2. Rediscovering Christ, the Healer
Rediscovering Mystical Christianity
Contemporary Prayer Experiences
Prayer Healing with Scripture Stories
Free-Form Prayer Healing
An Experience of Prayer Healing
A Transpersonal Model of Christian Prayer Healing
Mary, the Saints, and Other Wisdom Figures
Healing of the Generations—A New Perspective on Purgatory
Intercessory Prayer and the Liturgy of Healing
Prayer in a Mystical Cosmos
Goddess Spirituality
Chapter 3. Tales of the Goddess: Healing Metaphors for Women
The Splitting of Earth and Sky
Embodied Narratives
The Cycles of a Woman’s Life
Reclaiming the Garden of Paradise
Judaism
Chapter 4. Jewish Spiritual Pathways for Growth and Healing
Introduction
Kabbalistic Paths of Healing
Balancing Yourself on the Tree of Your Life
The Three Strands of the Soul
Meditation and the Tree of Life
Returning to Your Soul: The Relationship Between Rabbi and Student
Community As Healer
Jewish Holidays: Holistic Days
Future Directions in Jewish Spirituality and Psychological Growth
Summary
Native American Psychospirituality
Chapter 5. Dancing the Circle: Native American Concepts of Healing
Introduction
East: New Beginnings
South: Initiation and Learning
West: Revelation and Insight
North: Transformation and Systemic Change
Self-Care and Integrity: Guides for the Healer
Conclusion
Sufism
Chapter 6. The Key in the Dark: Self and Soul Transformation in the Sufi Tradition
History and Background
The Ecology of Mind in Sufi Stories and Poetry
Views of the Self and Soul
Practices: Breath, Sound, Walking Meditation, Dance, Turning, and Remembrance
Twenty-First-Century Applications
Taoism
Chapter 7. Taoist Mind-Body Resources for Psychological Health and Healing
Taoism: The Tao, Ch’i, and Ch’i Gung
“Good-Enough” Health and Wellness
The Path of No-Paths: Suchness and Simplicity
“No-Identity Is True Identity”
Illness As “Stuck” or “Attached” Life Energy
Wu Wei: The Ultimate Achievement in Taoist “Wellness”
On Taoist Masters and Students
Conclusion
Yoga and Hinduism
Chapter 8. The Yoga Path: Awakening from the Dream
Introduction
Indian Science
Yoga As Somatic Science
Yoga Education
The Goals or Outcomes of Yoga
Yoga and Psychotherapy
Cautions for Yoga Practice
Yoga and the Psychospiritual Client
Yoga As a Way of Life
Conclusion
Ways of Presenting Spiritual Teachings
Ethical Concerns
Distinctions and Similarities
Healing Self, Healing Culture
Index
Reference Notes Included