ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses spiritual issues and practice in both Christianity and Buddhism to assist the reader in understanding and acting upon some of the painful experiences that can occur in major life transitions and the spiritual crises that might accompany these transitions. It aims to compare some elements of Buddhist and Christian understandings of healing and suggest useful practices for the helping professions from each set of traditions. The chapter suggests how spirituality in Buddhist and Christian traditions can help deal with personal crises and trauma, drawing on symbolic and spiritual dimensions as distinct from psychological, emotional or physiological approaches to healing. The effects of religious conviction and practice can be cited as having scientific validity as well as being artistic and creative non-rational processes that contribute to our welfare. Prayer and meditation practices from within older traditions of Christianity and Buddhism are powerful tools. Meditative practices encourage reflection, relaxation and, crucially, ‘mindfulness’.
