The Ant Hill: Buddhist Psychology (with Caroline Brazier)

Buddhist psychology offers a distinct model of the person and of the causes and conditions of mental health. In this final workshop of the series, we will look at the fundamental Buddhist teachings, common to all traditions of Buddhism, and the ways in which they can be seen to offer a practical model for understanding psychological process. This model creates a framework which is clear and holistic and which can form a basis for the integration of concepts and methods from a number of different sources in Buddhist and Western practice.

In this final workshop of the series we will review the core models of Buddhist psychology with which we have been working and the ways in which they inform a therapeutic approach. In doing this, we will explore the rich material found in The Ant Hill Sutta (Majjhima Nikaya 23). This text is fascinating for anyone interested in psychology both in that it describes a dream interpretation and also because this interpretation offers a succinct model of the mind. It describes the layers of conditioned process through which we distance ourselves from difficult experiences, showing in detail how these layers build the defensive bubble through a whole series of behavioural and perceptual responses. As such, this text gives us an overview of the complexity of human process which in many ways predicts understanding coming from modern western psychological models. As we explore the Ant Hill model, we can relate the content to other materials which we have studied and so consolidate and expand our understanding.

About Caroline Brazier: Author of seven books on Buddhism, psychotherapy and ecotherapy and many chapters, papers and articles. Caroline has taught Buddhist psychology, ecotherapy and psychotherapy for more than thirty years, latterly through the Tariki training programmes. Alongside this, she has worked as a therapist and supervisor; work which continues now that she is semi-retired. She has also worked in a number of community settings over the years including community education, women's health projects, community arts and running residential retreats. A Buddhist for many years with experience in a number of traditions, Caroline took Tokudo ordination in the Jodo Shinshu school in 2018. She is also a mother and grandmother and enjoys plenty of family time.