Suffering and Hope: Perspectives on Spirituality and Psycho-Spiritual Care

What is suffering? What is hope? How are suffering and hope connected? How do they connect with spirituality and therapeutic practices? On. a macro level, suffering and hope raise issues of ultimate concern in relation to psychological and spiritual worldviews. On a micro level, how we interpret suffering and hope shape our spirituality, our therapeutic practices and the experience of wellbeing. This course explores diverse interpretations and practices in relation to human experiences of suffering and the possibility for hope through the following perspectives: psychological, indigenous, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim. Case studies will focus on diverse manifestations of suffering and spirituality. Practices for healing/hope will be considered in relation to psychology and each of the traditions & implications for therapeutic practice.