This book is a journey; an exploration into those areas of life which both fascinate and repel us. Through the weaving together of an account of a group of young people, fine grained analysis of the emotional and ethical basis of guilt, and illustration draw from a variety of life circumstances, the reader is drawn into the complexity of a subject which troubles many people in the modern world. The book deals sensitively with some of the most challenging areas of human experience, confronting the reader with situations in which there are no easy answers. Yet the writing retains a joy in life. At times both humorous and emotive, it reveals the beauty of the everyday and the pathos of the ordinary. A book that crosses boundaries, this is one of the few books on the topic which will have you reading into the small hours of the morning, eager to discover the secret worlds of the characters whose lives illustrate its themes.

Ecotherapy in Practice reflects the growing interest and research in this field. Drawing on a diversity of experience from the counselling and psychotherapy professions, but also from practitioners in community work, mental health and education, this book explores the exciting and innovative possibilities involved in practising outdoors. Caroline Brazier brings to bear her experience and knowledge as a psychotherapist, group worker and trainer over several decades to think about therapeutic work outdoors in all its forms. The book presents a model of ecotherapy based on principles drawn from Buddhist psychology and Western psychotherapy which focuses particularly on the relationship between person and environment at three levels, moving from the personal level of individual history to cultural influences, then finally to global circumstances, all of which condition mind-states and psychological wellbeing. Ecotherapy in Practice will provide refreshing and valuable reading for psychotherapists and counsellors in the field, those interested in Buddhism, and other mental health and health professionals working outdoors

Ecotherapy in Practice reflects the growing interest and research in this field. Drawing on a diversity of experience from the counselling and psychotherapy professions, but also from practitioners in community work, mental health and education, this book explores the exciting and innovative possibilities involved in practising outdoors. Caroline Brazier brings to bear her experience and knowledge as a psychotherapist, group worker and trainer over several decades to think about therapeutic work outdoors in all its forms. The book presents a model of ecotherapy based on principles drawn from Buddhist psychology and Western psychotherapy which focuses particularly on the relationship between person and environment at three levels, moving from the personal level of individual history to cultural influences, then finally to global circumstances, all of which condition mind-states and psychological wellbeing. Ecotherapy in Practice will provide refreshing and valuable reading for psychotherapists and counsellors in the field, those interested in Buddhism, and other mental health and health professionals working outdoors

The Pureland schools are the largest Buddhist denominations in Japan, and yet this approach to Buddhism is hardly known in the West. Pureland centres on our relationship with Amida Buddha, the embodiment of measureless love, light and life. It offers a fresh view of spirituality, recognizing us in our mundane lives, whilst lifting us into relationship with the eternal. As ordinary people, we cannot fathom our own depths nor can we know the immensity of the universe. We can but stand in awe and reach out to what we intuitively know to be beyond the small orbit of our lives. Pureland is a path of simplicity and beauty, poetry and nature. It is the path of faith.

Western therapeutic approaches have often put considerable emphasis on building self-esteem and enhancing a positive sense of self. This book challenges the assumption behind this approach. Most of us protect ourselves against being fully alive. Because we fear loss and pain, we escape by withdrawing from experiences and distracting ourselves with amusements. We fall into habitual ways of acting and limit our experience to the familiar. We create an identity which we think of as a 'self', and in so doing imprison our life-energy. For 2500 years Buddhism has developed an understanding of the way that we can easily fall into a deluded view. It has shown how the mind clings to false perceptions and tries to create permanence out of an ever changing world. Written by a practising therapist and committed Buddhist, this book explores the practical relevance of Buddhist teachings on psychology to our everyday experience. By letting go of our attachment to self, we open ourselves to full engagement with life and with others. We step out of our self-made prison.

Modern life cuts us off from our roots. Our urban lives, often full of activity and anxieties, can feel lacking in those very things which ground us and feel fulfilling. At the same time, our behaviour as a species threatens to destroy the planet on which we live. Reconnecting with the natural world, on the other hand, can be deeply transforming, both psychologically and spiritually. As we start to awaken to the damage which our disconnection from nature is doing both to ourselves and to our environment, we wake up to a new relationship founded on understanding and spiritual truth. In this context, therapists are looking for ways to work which directly rebuild our connection with nature. This important book presents an approach to working with the environment which embraces the therapeutic and the spiritual, offering a model of working which is sympathetic and creative. Offering both theoretical understanding and sections describing experiential work, it will appeal to both the professional and the general reader. Connecting with nature, we open to life in new ways.

This book provides a systematic approach to developing skills. It also explores the role of the listener in different contexts and the particular issues associated with working in situations where the usual boundaries of counselling are not in place. It suggests ways of offering a caring response to others and helping them to move towards healthier ways of relating and functioning in the world. Written in an easy style which avoids jargon, the book contains exercises which the reader may use to integrate the subject matter. Activities are framed in ways which make them accessible to the reader, who is studying alone, but this book is also suitable for groups to follow, and to this purpose, some guidance is given on ways of learning and practising skills in a group.

Practical and innovative and grounded in theory of Buddhist psychology and in Western methodologies, "Other-Centred Therapy" presents a positive and outwardly orientated view of therapeutic process. Caroline Brazier offers an introduction to an innovative therapeutic approach which is founded on an understanding of human process that is both practical, and honoring of our place in an experiential world. The book is practical, offering the reader not only a straightforward, jargon-free presentation, but also examples of the method in practice. Set out as a learning programme, it includes exercises and discussion points which will help the reader to integrate learning. This book will be of interest to student and practicing counselors and psychotherapists, but will also provide plenty of material for the general reader. The structured approach will make it an invaluable tool for trainers. A down to earth approach to good therapeutic practice, this book nevertheless critiques many of the popular assumptions of the profession and takes a fresh look at the important foundations of its work.