It is said that the Tibetan word for ‘Buddhist’ means “she or he who seeks within.”
Whether we are in troubled times or simply wanting to deepen our understanding of ourselves, psychotherapy and a spiritual path/mindfulness practice often bring deeply fruitful benefits. Time and time again I have seen how combining the best of the eastern wisdom traditions and western psychology work well together. Of course this is now supported by the latest research into neuroplasticity, which tells us that we are effectively “neural pruning” when we meditate and also when we are in a supportive therapeutic relationship.
I love this explanation as to how the two disciplines complement each other:
“Psychological work focuses on what has gone wrong: how we have been wounded in our relations with others and how to go about addressing that. Spiritual work focuses more on what is intrinsically right how we have infinite resources at the core of our nature that we can cultivate in order to live more expansively. If psychological work thins the clouds, spiritual work invokes the sun.”
” Toward a Psychology of Awakening”. John Welwood.*
In many cases, working with a skilled therapist in conjunction with a meditation or deep relaxation practice can make profound shifts and support our capacity to be in relationships to ourselves and others and manage difficulties in our lives.
* John Welwood is an American clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, teacher, and author, known for integrating psychological and spiritual concepts. He has been the Director of the East/West Psychology Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, and is an associate editor of Journal of Transpersonal Psychology.[1][2]A prominent figure in transpersonal psychology, he is a pioneer in integrating Western psychology and Eastern wisdom. He has written over six books, including Journey of the Heart (1990), Challenge of the Heart (1985), and Love and Awakening (1996). His 2007 book, Perfect Love, Imperfect Relationships, won the 2007 Books for a Better Life Award.[3][4]