Description
Book SynopsisMost of us have lived through painful, humiliating or traumatic experiences, leaving us haunted and conditioned by reactions that trap us in ongoing cycles of feeling hurt and hurting others. And on the wider political scale, we have obviously yet to learn the art of responding well to the hurts of terrorism, exploitation, or more local conflicts of interest. Either we resort to reciprocal violence, or claim too readily the status of innocent victim. The book begins by looking at three predominant negative responses. It then draws on a variety of traditions from the author's own Buddhist Christian perspective, exploring how deep meditation can help take us beyond the negative narratives of hurt. The author finds ambivalent but broadly positive images in childhood innocence and the tragicomic fool, and urges the importance of a radical and unconditional forgiveness of self and others that is grounded in both Buddhist Emptiness and the risen Christ. By these means, the habit of accusation that so easily dominates self and society can give way to humour and mutual wonder.
Trade ReviewWounded Wisdom is both an accessible text and a significant contribution to the dialogue between theology and psychology. The academic discussion is clear and wide-ranging , while the author's own poetry, together with the stories he has uncovered, are unafraid to tap into violent emotion. Readers will be intrigued by his synthesis of Buddhism ('a wave-like approach') and Christianity ('a more focused, particle-like' description). This is a fine exemplar of the burgeoning genre of practical theology - well-informed, personally engaged and committed to Love's lessons, wherever they are found. (Charles Hampton - pastoral psychologist)
