Coping Rituals in Fearful Times: An Unexplored Resource for Healing Trauma

Ritual is a powerful tool for healing trauma and repairing broken relationships, as demonstrated by the editor and authors of this collection of articles from various disciplines. They show how ritualmaking contributes to self- and group regulation by healing and mitigating the negative impact of trauma.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This collection of articles explores the profound and transformative power of ritual in healing trauma and repairing broken relationships. The articles offer insightful perspectives on how humans, faced with uncertainty, threat, and dislocation, resort to actions, often with or for others, to alleviate their anxiety, fears, and sense of powerlessness. The editor and authors showcase how the imaginative processes inherent in ritual-making contribute to self- and group regulation, aiding in the healing and mitigation of the negative impact of trauma on individuals, collective groups, and even global systems.

The authors of this collection are a distinguished group of scholars, researchers, and practitioners from various disciplines and subfields, including archaeology, Chinese studies, digital culture, ecological science, philosophy, psychology, psychotherapy, the politics of memory and cultural heritage preservation in wartime, ritual anthropology, social research, physics, research on traumatic stress, and peace studies. This volume is of immense value to students and researchers across the social and behavioral sciences.

The articles in this collection provide a rich tapestry of insights and perspectives on the role of ritual in healing trauma and repairing relationships. They explore various aspects of ritual, such as its historical and cultural contexts, its psychological and physiological effects, and its potential to promote social cohesion and resilience.

One of the key themes that emerges from the articles is the notion that ritual is a powerful tool for creating meaning and fostering a sense of connection. In times of crisis, people often turn to ritual as a means of making sense of the overwhelming experiences they are facing and finding a way to cope with their emotions and fears. Rituals can provide a framework for organizing and expressing emotions, allowing individuals to process and release pent-up stress and trauma.

Another important aspect of ritual is its ability to promote healing and reconciliation. Rituals can serve as a means of bridging divides and fostering empathy and understanding between different groups or individuals. By engaging in shared rituals, people can build bridges of trust and create a sense of shared identity and purpose, which can help to heal wounds and promote healing.

The articles in this collection also highlight the role of ritual in promoting social change and addressing social injustices. Rituals can be used as a platform for activism and advocacy, as they can bring attention to pressing social issues and mobilize people towards action. For example, ritual ceremonies can be used to commemorate victims of violence or to advocate for social justice reforms.

Furthermore, the articles in this collection explore the intersection of ritual and technology in the modern world. With the advent of digital technologies, new forms of ritual and ceremony have emerged, such as virtual rituals and online communities. These new forms of ritual offer unique opportunities for connection and community building, but they also raise important questions about the authenticity and meaning of ritual in the digital age.

In conclusion, this collection of articles provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the power of ritual in healing trauma and repairing broken relationships. The articles offer valuable insights into the various aspects of ritual, its historical and cultural contexts, its psychological and physiological effects, and its potential to promote social cohesion, healing, reconciliation, social change, and technology. By engaging with the ideas presented in this collection, students and researchers across the social and behavioral sciences can deepen their understanding of the role of ritual in human society.

Weight: 385g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030815363
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022