The Ramayana and psychotherapy

Techniques of psychotherapy commonly used in the west may be difficult to employ in their purest form for Indian patients, especially in those who are not educated and those who are not westernized. Anecdotes from the Ramayana can be used in psychotherapy to show the similarity of the issues facing the patient with the aim of increasing insight. They are powerful examples and can be used to suggest alternate modes of coping. This article discusses anecdotes, themes and possible situations for use in psychotherapy. It also suggests steps in obtaining the necessary permission from patients prior to discussing them in psychotherapy.