2027 - The Sensory Basis of Self: Trauma- and Dissociation-Informed Work with

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Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā
Saturday, January 9, 2027
10:30 amā€“4:30 pm US Eastern Time
Online via Zoom

The programme will explore a trauma- and dissociation-informed approach to the early Buddhist path, with particular attention to the six sense domains as the sensory ground of self and experience. Through presentations, guided practices and extended periods of discussion, participants will consider what the early teachings can contribute to the fundamental work of integrationā€”and where care is needed when bringing Buddhist approaches to not-self and detachment into conversation with trauma and dissociation.

The day is suitable for practitioners of all levels, including Buddhist practitioners without previous in-depth knowledge of trauma and dissociation, as well as clinicians without an extensive background in Buddhist teachings and practice.

The programme is freely offered in the Buddhist tradition of dāna and will not be recorded.

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This seems really interesting! I think the intersection between trauma, dissociation and early Buddhism is potentially very fruitful. Afaik, DBT is one of the few (only?) framework that is successful in treating personality disorders (personality being basically ā€œthe selfā€ as it is expressed interpersonally), and DBT is basically just a bunch of Buddhist practices stacked in a trench-coat of modern terminology.

This topic makes me think of this part from SA 261:

ā€˜Ä€nanda, something that arises is considered to be self, not something that doesnā€™t arise. Ānanda, how is it that something that arises is considered to be self and not something that doesnā€™t arise? When form arises, that gives rise to self, not when it doesnā€™t arise. When feeling ā€¦ conception ā€¦ volition ā€¦ awareness arises, that gives rise to self, not when it doesnā€™t arise. Itā€™s like a man who sees his own face appear when he holds a bright mirror in his hand or when he looks at his reflection in clear water. He sees it because it appears, not because it doesnā€™t appear.

Our experiences are indeed the only ingredients we have to make a self out of :slight_smile:

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