I am a school social worker, working in a secondary school for more than ten years. My initial encounter with Buddhism is from reading social work books and articles which mention about the basic concepts of Buddhism and its applications in counseling. It impresses that there are many practitioners employ meditation skills to help their clients regulate their emotions and release their inner strengths. Some developed holistic approaches in hospice care also apply concept about death in Buddhism. Those clinical experiences interest me a lot and show me how Buddhist teachings inform the development of western psychotherapy.
Besides, some discussions on human growth in the perspective of Buddhist study are also quite fascinating. For example, Jack Engler’s book ‘Transformations of Consciousness: Contemplative Perspectives on Development’ (1996) inspires me a lot about concept of “ego”, which against my previous understanding towards it. In western tradition, it highlights the importance of ego development while the Buddhist stresses on anatman. Jack Engler’s model ‘Developmental spectrum concept of psychopathology’ shows how to bridge two contradictory orientation of ego in a complementary sense. He accented that both of them play an important role for a whole person development in different stages. Having trained as a social worker in western thoughts, I have certain difficulty to understand the concept of anatman and its implications to human development. Nevertheless, I believe that the issue of ego is definitely a crucial point in the dialogue between western and Buddhist psychology.
To use Buddhist psychology in human service practice can be one of the ways to achieve better effectiveness. Actually, in such an advanced and competitive society, there are increased numbers of adolescents in Hong Kong who are suffered from different degree of mental and psychological problems as reflected in statistics. However, medical model is dominant to treat needy people with medication or hospitalization. I strongly consider Buddhist psychology and its humanistic thinking can contribute more at the stage of prevention and intervention. And that is one of the reasons why I am interested in exploring the territory of Buddhist study.
In the past four-year Buddhist self-study, I was reading and doing piece by piece. I have tried to incorporate some Buddhist concepts and skills in helping my clients to achieve better emotional control, higher level of self understanding and to release them from different kind of stress. Despite these are only my preliminary and immature attempts, the experience is quite an impressive one. In the process, I also found that Buddhist teachings and philosophy transform my life. It helps me deepen and widen my understandings to the nature of self and the world, as well as to re-structure my professional knowledge and world view.
In addition, in order to acquire more understanding to Buddhist teachings, I have joined a course named ‘Chinese Certificate course in Buddhist Textural Studies’ in December 2005 as offered by your centre. It provided me with a systemic understanding of Buddhist studies although it was only a very small part of the whole Buddhist system. The course did help me step into the world of Buddhism and gain personal insight. From this study experience, I obtained more confidence to take further study. And I also found that some concepts such as five aggregates, can share with modern psychology. I long for a more professional related training on Buddhist studies so as to attain a better professional related application, integration and knowledge input.
With reference to the course outline, the applied course can definitely provide me with all-rounded training. It can offer me a good opportunity to explore how Buddhist teachings add a new dimension to the science of the human psyche as well as its applications in human service such as social work.
I only expose myself to Buddhism for about four years by reading relevant books and attending public lectures. I understand that I am really a freshman to the world of Buddhism and need extra effort to get familiar with it. Nevertheless, its philosophy and wisdom of life do inspire me not only in my personal life but also my work. I believe that the course will benefit my professional development and personal growth as well. Please kindly consider my application and I am ready for interview on any time if necessary.