When Dr. Geoffrey Samuel originally approached me with the idea of a selection of articles having to do with the differences and points of similarity between Tibetan and Western approaches to mental health and therapy, I was intrigued. As a psychiatric hospital chaplain exclusively and later in part for much of my career, I remain committed now as an editor to finding out more that might improve therapeutic outcomes, deepen understanding of the self in health and illness, and encourage hope for the future. Dr. Samuel and his colleague as Guest Editor, Dr. Susannah Deane, persuaded me that this collection of essays would be a step in that direction. Their commitment to scholarship and care for those suffering is clear as the following essays demonstrate.
The Journal of Religion and Health since our beginning in 1961 has over time shared materials along similar lines that Drs. Samuel and Deane and their colleagues explore here. What is new here is that their efforts arise out of a recent conference in 2017 where scholars came together to address these most basic and formidable questions of mind and consciousness from both Tibetan and Western perspectives. It is our intention here at the Journal to stimulate dialog across cultures and disciplines that then may influence professional practice. We trust that this Special Section will continue that tradition as we move toward that goal. We are pleased and honored that Drs. Samuel and Deane along with their author colleagues will continue to move us forward in that direction.
Curtis W. Hart
Editor in Chief
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Hart, C.W. Editor’s Introduction for Special Section: Mental Health, The Mind and Consciousness—Tibetan and Western Approaches. J Relig Health 58, 687 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00797-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00797-8