Faith and Refuge: Buddhist Psychology (with Caroline Brazier)

In a world beset with insecurities, where change and unpredictability are constantly unsettling us, craving for permanence and reliability drives many of the processes which we have been exploring in these workshops. People long for stability and often find it in unhealthy ways by limiting their involvement in life to the familiar things which support a sense of identity. At the same time, in order to engage more fully people need to have a sense of confidence in things which go beyond their limited frames. This is as true in therapeutic work as in spiritual settings. We all need to experience confidence and trust in order to function in the world, whether it is placed in the people supporting us or in the larger situation of our lives. Such trust and confidence is also fundamental to the therapeutic relationship and the therapeutic process itself. Through the therapeutic alliance, the client becomes willing to step beyond previous limits of mind and action and by trusting that what is unfolding is a trustworthy process, becomes more willing to step into the unknown. Although Buddhism is often seen by Westerners as emphasising independent practice and self-reliance, in fact, the role of faith and entrustment are central to the tradition. The act of taking refuge through which a person commits as a Buddhist is often recognised as the first step on the spiritual path and underpins all subsequent practice. In this workshop we will look at the role of trust and faith in Buddhist therapeutic practices and the importance of it both in the immediate therapy situation and more broadly in establishing a basis for good mental health.

Although this event is part of the Ten Directions training course for ecotherapy practitioners, anybody can book and take part in this public online event. If you are interested, please do buy a ticket.

About Caroline Brazier: Author of seven books on Buddhism, psychotherapy and ecotherapy and many chapters, papers and articles. Caroline has taught Buddhist psychology, ecotherapy and psychotherapy for more than thirty years, latterly through the Tariki training programmes. Alongside this, she has worked as a therapist and supervisor; work which continues now that she is semi-retired. She has also worked in a number of community settings over the years including community education, women's health projects, community arts and running residential retreats. A Buddhist for many years with experience in a number of traditions, Caroline took Tokudo ordination in the Jodo Shinshu school in 2018. She is also a mother and grandmother and enjoys plenty of family time.