Sandplay Therapy and Buddhism

Autorentext

Alexander von Gontard is trained in pediatrics, child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy. He is a teaching member of the Swiss and the International Society of Sandplay Therapy (SGSST and ISST). He works in Switzerland and is affiliated with Maastricht University, Netherlands.

Klappentext

This book provides a new and unique perspective on Sandplay Therapy, focusing on its roots in Eastern spiritual traditions, especially Buddhism, and enabling a wider understanding of the benefits of Buddhist theory for mental health. Exploring the notion that Buddhism is a highly differentiated form of psychology, Sandplay Therapy and Buddhism enables readers to gain new insights into Sandplay theory and outlines how this presents within practical application.

Foregrounding the influence of Buddhism on Donna Kalff (the founder of Sandplay Therapy), chapters present a brief biography of her development of Sandplay practice, an introduction to Sandplay Therapy and an accessible overview of Buddhism. Major teachings, such as the eight worldly conditions, the three characteristics of existence, the three roots, the five powers of the mind, the eightfold path and interpersonal connectedness, are then translated to practice, demonstrating their benefits and relevance to clinical application.

With case vignettes and photographs of Sandplay Therapy practice integrated throughout, this is a highly practical read for Sandplay Therapists interested in better understanding the Buddhist roots of their practice. It will also be essential reading for mental health practitioners of other disciplines, such as arts and expressive therapies and spiritually informed psychotherapists and counsellors.

Inhalt

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. Introduction to Sandplay Therapy

First root: The World Technique

Second root: Analytical psychology

Third root: Buddhism

Practice of Sandplay Therapy

2. Introduction to Buddhism

Life of the Buddha

Buddhism and psychotherapy

3. The eight worldly conditions

Profit and loss

Success and failure

Praise and blame

Pleasure and pain

4. The three characteristics of existence

Impermanence

Not-self/emptiness

Suffering/Unsatisfactoriness

5. The three root evils

Greed

Hate

Delusion

6. The five powers of the mind

Trust

Energy

Mindfulness

Calm/concentration

Wisdom

7. The eightfold path

Right understanding

Right intention

Right speech

Right action

Right livelihood

Right effort

Right mindfulness

Right concentration

8. Interpersonal connectedness

Loving kindness

Compassion

Appreciative joy

Equanimity

Conclusion and outlook

Index