Within social work education, contemplative practices are a way of improving and supporting positive student development while providing a holistic educational experience. Contemplative practices assist students in developing valuable coping skills and self-regulation, while also teaching techniques for stress reduction. This article begins with an introduction to contemplative practices and...
This article explores Zen Buddhist philosophy of spiritual development by examining one of the most common representations within the Zen Buddhist religious tradition, the Ten Ox Herding Pictures, which illustrate both religiously and culturally specific ideas and cross-culturally common themes. Interpretations from the standpoints of Zen philosophy, Jungian and transpersonal theories, and...
Spiritually focused interventions are increasing within social work/helping professions practice and research. Specifically the incorporation of meditation is taking root. This article conceptualizes a particular mantra meditation system, combined with visualization, called Mahavakyam Meditation (MM), and explores how it ameliorated the stress, sadness, and anxiety for women attending...
The demands placed on human service workers in supporting people through challenging circumstances can contribute to high levels of stress and burnout. Self-care practices implemented regularly may decrease the impact of the high levels of stress while also serving as strategies for coping during particularly stressful times. The interconnections between contemplative practices, including...